Gay Cumbria - Sexual Health
Below we have included some of the more important issues surrounding sexual health. If you feel we have not covered a topic which you would like to see please contact us.
Safer Sex | Chlamydia | Herpes | Gonorrhoea | Syphillis | Impotence | Your Mouth
Breast Self Examination | Testicular Examination | Cervical Smear
Male Condoms | Female Condoms
Chlamydia
Chlamydia, is caused by a bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. It is estimated that chlamydia is the most prevalent STD with 3 - 4 million new cases each year. Chlamydia infection is very common among young adults and teenagers.
Chlamydia is known as the “silent epidemic”. It is called a Silent Epidemic because 75% of the women and 50% of the men with the disease have no symptoms. You can get genital chlamydia infection during oral, vaginal, or anal sexual contact with a partner that is affected. An infant can get chlamydia from an infected mother during pregnancy.
Symptoms of chlamydia
Different individuals experience different symptoms. Unfortunately 75% of women and 50% of men with the disease are experience no symptoms. When they do experience symptoms, the possible symptoms are: discharge from the penis or vagina and a burning sensation when urinating. Women may experience lower abdominal pain or pain during intercourse, bleeding during intercourse and bleeding between menstrual periods. Men may experience burning and itching around the opening of the penis and/or pain and swelling in the testicles. Symptoms may appear within one to three weeks after being infected.
Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics.
Chlamydia infections can lead to other serious health problems. When left untreated, chlamydia can increase the risk of acquiring HIV. It affects men and women differently. In women, untreated chlamydia can spread into the pelvic area and infect the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries leading to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Chlamydia may cause permanent damage to the woman’s reproductive organs and can lead to infertility, chronic pelvic pain. In men, untreated chlamydia can affect the testicles and ultimately lead to infertility
Using a condom can help to reduce you chances of acquiring chlamydia.
