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Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea

Testing for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea is easy and should be done regularly by any one who is under the age of 25 and sexually active. The test and treatment is FREE, self taken and painless (guys, pee in a pot and girls, do a simple vaginal swab).

To get your 2-in-1 Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea test pick up a postal test kit at SU Receptions, visit a C-Card Drop-in, visit a sexual health clinic or your GP and watch out for the CaSH Action Team around campus and in town throughout the year.

What is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis which affects the genitals and less commonly the throat and eyes. The bacteria are found in the semen of men and vaginal fluids of women who have the infection. Chlamydia is easily passed from one person to another through unprotected vaginal, anal, oral sex and mutual masturbation.

• Chlamydia is the most common Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) in the UK.
• 10% of sexually active 16-24 year olds are thought to have this infection.

Any Symptoms?

• Infected individuals can be asymptomatic (may not have any symptoms).
• In fact, a massive 75% of women and 50% of men won't have any symptoms.

This is one of the reason it's important you get tested for Chlamydia as there's a good chance that you won't know if you have it. However, if you did have symptoms...

Women may notice:

Unusual vaginal discharge.
Bleeding between periods and/or after sex.
Pain (and/or bleeding) during sex after sex or between periods
Pain when passing urine.
Lower abdominal (pelvic) pain.

Men may notice the following:

A white/cloudy or watery discharge from the penis.
Burning and itching in the genital area.
Pain when passing urine.
Painful swelling of the testicles.

Treatment

Chlamydia is easily treated with a short course of antibiotics.

If left untreated, Chlamydia can lead to long term complications in women such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which can cause infertility, ectopic pregnancy (which can be life-threatening) and pelvic pain.

If left untreated in men, Chlamydia can cause painful inflammation in one or both testicles which could reduce fertility or lead to infertility.

Prevention

Using a condom and water based lubricant for vaginal sex and anal sex will help to prevent transmission.
Using a condom for oral sex on a man or a dam (thin sheet of latex) for oral sex on a women will help prevent transmission.
Avoiding touching your own and then your partner’s genitals (or vice versa), without washing your hands in-between during mutual masturbation, will help prevent transmission.
Avoiding sharing sex toys

What is Gonorrhoea?

Gonorrhoea is a common STI caused by bacteria affecting the cervix, rectum, urethra or throat. It may be passed on through vaginal, anal or oral sex.

Any Symptoms?

If you have Gonorrhoea you are more likely to have symptoms (than Chlamydia). Although 10% of men and 50% women have no symptoms.

Women may notice:

• Unusual vaginal discharge which may be thin or watery, yellow or green
• Pain when passing urine
• Lower abdominal pain
• Bleeding between periods
• Itching or discharge in the rectum if anal sex has been practised
• Sore throat

Men may notice:

• Unusual discharge from the tip of the penis – this may be white, yellow or green
• Pain when passing urine
• Pain or tenderness in the testicles
• Inflammation of the foreskin
• Itching or discharge in the rectum if anal sex has been practised
• Sore throat

Treatment

If treated early, Gonorrhoea can be treated with a short course of antibiotics and is unlikely to lead to any complications or long-term problems. However, without treatment it can spread to other parts of your body and cause serious problems.

In women, gonorrhoea can spread to the reproductive organs and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can lead to long-term pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy and infertility.

In men, gonorrhoea can cause painful infection in the testicles and prostate gland, which can lead to reduced fertility.

Prevention (same as for Chlamydia above)

Useful Links

Local Sexual Health Services in Brighton and Hove

National Chlamydia Screening Programme

NHS Choices - Chlamydia

NHS Choices - Gonorrhoea