Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the UK. A type of bacteria causes it and often spreads through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex. The tricky part? Most people don't get symptoms, meaning it can go unnoticed for weeks or months.
Left untreated, chlamydia can cause serious complications like infertility. That's why regular chlamydia tests and early treatment are so important.
If you're wondering what chlamydia looks like, the answer can be a bit misleading, because in most cases, it doesn't look like anything at all. Around 70% of women and 50% of men won't notice any symptoms.
When symptoms do show up, they might include:
Even if your symptoms disappear, the infection can still be there, and you can still pass it on.
You should get a chlamydia test if:
At Private Medical Clinic, the sexual health services we offer include discreet and same-day testing with quick results.
Testing is straightforward:
Results usually come back within 7 working days, but in some cases, treatment for chlamydia may begin immediately if exposure is likely.
No—it won't go away without proper chlamydia treatment. Ignoring it can cause long-term damage, even if you're not noticing any symptoms.
Chlamydia can be silently active in your system for months, sometimes even years. But damage can begin in just a few weeks, especially for women, where it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, or ectopic pregnancy. Men may experience testicular pain and reduced fertility.
Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics, and the good news is, treatment has a 95% plus success rate.
The two main types of chlamydia antibiotics prescribed are:
Our team at Private Medical Clinic will advise you on the right chlamydia medication based on your situation.
You may start feeling better within a few days. Most symptoms will clear up within 2–4 weeks. But just because you're feeling okay doesn't mean you're no longer contagious.
Here's what to remember:
If you test positive, it's important to let your sexual partners from the past 6 months know. If that feels uncomfortable, one of our health advisers can notify them anonymously on your behalf.
Going forward, protect yourself by:
Explore our STI screening packages for ongoing peace of mind.
At Private Medical Clinic, we offer fast, confidential chlamydia tests and treatments from experienced clinicians. Whether you're experiencing symptoms or just want peace of mind, we're here to help.
Book an appointment today or contact us to learn more.
Dr. Teresha Jayawardena (MBChB, MRCGP, MSc, DRCOG) is a private GP with specialist expertise in women's and sexual health. With extensive postgraduate training and experience across multiple medical disciplines, she is dedicated to delivering compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to her patients' needs.
.avif)
