Healthy Living
Healthy Living
Sexual Health
CHLAMYDIA……
• is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI)
• is easily treated with antibiotics
• affects both men and women
You may have no symptoms at all. But if you do they could include the following:
• In women there may be increased discharge from the vagina, an increased need to pass urine, bleeding in between periods, bleeding after sexual intercourse or discomfort passing urine.
• In men there may be tingling or discomfort passing urine or fluid (discharge) from the tip of the penis or painful swelling of the testicles
How could you get Chlamydia?
• You could get it by having unprotected sex with someone who has Chlamydia. This might have been recently or many months, even years ago.
• The infection can spread if you have vaginal, anal or oral sex or share sex toys.
• You can also pass the infection to the eyes if it is on someone's hands
• Also a mother can pass it to her baby at birth
Think Safer sex!
Using condoms every time you have sex can reduce the risk of getting or passing on chlamydia or other STIs.
What happens if Chlamydia isn't treated?
Without proper treatment the infection can spread to other parts of the body causing damage and serious long-term complications.
In women
Chlamydia can spread to other reproductive organs causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This can lead to long-term pelvic pain, blocked fallopian tubes, infertility and ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy that occurs outside the womb).
In men
Chlamydia can lead to a painful infection in the testicles and possibly reduced fertility. It is thought that in some men it might cause the prostate to become inflamed.
In men and women
Inflammation or swelling of the joints can occur (reactive arthritis). This is sometimes accompanied by inflammation of the uretha (the tube from the bladder to the outside of the body) and the eye, when it is known as Reiter's syndrome. This is rare and occurs more in men than in women.
Just simple test can tell you if you have Chlamydia
Who can get tested?
No need to be embarrassed, getting tested is easy, free and totally confidential. Anybody under 25 who has been or is sexually active and currently has no symptoms can access Team Chlamydia to arrange the simple test. Under 16’s can also be tested. Just contact Team Chlamydia on 01260 277477, Monday to Friday 9am - 4.30pm or visit http://www.gettested.nhs.uk/
If you are under 25 and live in the Central and Eastern Cheshire area you may prefer to use the postal test. To request a FREE kit, please call Team Chlamydia on 01260 277477 or access the secure online request service via secure online request form.
If you are over 25 or have symptoms please contact your local GUM service at Macclesfield 01625 264116/264119 or Leighton 01270 612255 for advice and testing.
• For information about local Contraception and Sexual Health Services (CASH) including opening times, addresses and telephone numbers please visit www.infolinkcheshire.nhs.uk or www.nhs.uk/worthtalkingabout. Both sites also provide information about national services and support lines.
• Also for Young people (under 18yrs) who would like to receive confidential advice and information on anything to do with sexual health, relationships & contraception.can call 0800 28 29 30 this is the FREE national confidential helpline called ‘Sexwise’. This service is open daily from 7am to 12 midnight.
• Also for adults (over 18yrs) who would like to receive confidential information and advice on sexual health can visit ‘NHS Choices’ via www.nhs.uk or call the free ‘Sexual Health Information helpline’ on 0800 567 123.
• For information on the local Chlamydia Screening Programme and where to find information on your nearest screening venues or to request a postal testing kit visit www.gettested.nhs.uk/ or call 01260 277477
• is easily treated with antibiotics
• affects both men and women
About 1 in 10 sexually active young people under 25 tested have Chlamydia, yet most people who have Chlamydia have no signs or symptoms and won’t know they have got it.
A simple test can tell you if you have it.
What are the symptoms?
You may have no symptoms at all. But if you do they could include the following:
• In women there may be increased discharge from the vagina, an increased need to pass urine, bleeding in between periods, bleeding after sexual intercourse or discomfort passing urine.
• In men there may be tingling or discomfort passing urine or fluid (discharge) from the tip of the penis or painful swelling of the testicles
How could you get Chlamydia?
• You could get it by having unprotected sex with someone who has Chlamydia. This might have been recently or many months, even years ago.
• The infection can spread if you have vaginal, anal or oral sex or share sex toys.
• You can also pass the infection to the eyes if it is on someone's hands
• Also a mother can pass it to her baby at birth
Think Safer sex!
Using condoms every time you have sex can reduce the risk of getting or passing on chlamydia or other STIs.
What happens if Chlamydia isn't treated?
Without proper treatment the infection can spread to other parts of the body causing damage and serious long-term complications.
In women
Chlamydia can spread to other reproductive organs causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This can lead to long-term pelvic pain, blocked fallopian tubes, infertility and ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy that occurs outside the womb).
In men
Chlamydia can lead to a painful infection in the testicles and possibly reduced fertility. It is thought that in some men it might cause the prostate to become inflamed.
In men and women
Inflammation or swelling of the joints can occur (reactive arthritis). This is sometimes accompanied by inflammation of the uretha (the tube from the bladder to the outside of the body) and the eye, when it is known as Reiter's syndrome. This is rare and occurs more in men than in women.
Just simple test can tell you if you have Chlamydia
Who can get tested?
No need to be embarrassed, getting tested is easy, free and totally confidential. Anybody under 25 who has been or is sexually active and currently has no symptoms can access Team Chlamydia to arrange the simple test. Under 16’s can also be tested. Just contact Team Chlamydia on 01260 277477, Monday to Friday 9am - 4.30pm or visit http://www.gettested.nhs.uk/
If you are under 25 and live in the Central and Eastern Cheshire area you may prefer to use the postal test. To request a FREE kit, please call Team Chlamydia on 01260 277477 or access the secure online request service via secure online request form.
If you are over 25 or have symptoms please contact your local GUM service at Macclesfield 01625 264116/264119 or Leighton 01270 612255 for advice and testing.
Contraception and Sexual Health Services in Central and Eastern Cheshire
Find up to date information on local sexual health services and where to access contraception, get advice about LARC, receive check-ups for sexually transmitted infections, and find local services that are specifically provided for young people.
Find up to date information on local sexual health services and where to access contraception, get advice about LARC, receive check-ups for sexually transmitted infections, and find local services that are specifically provided for young people.
• For information about local Contraception and Sexual Health Services (CASH) including opening times, addresses and telephone numbers please visit www.infolinkcheshire.nhs.uk or www.nhs.uk/worthtalkingabout. Both sites also provide information about national services and support lines.
• Also for Young people (under 18yrs) who would like to receive confidential advice and information on anything to do with sexual health, relationships & contraception.can call 0800 28 29 30 this is the FREE national confidential helpline called ‘Sexwise’. This service is open daily from 7am to 12 midnight.
• Also for adults (over 18yrs) who would like to receive confidential information and advice on sexual health can visit ‘NHS Choices’ via www.nhs.uk or call the free ‘Sexual Health Information helpline’ on 0800 567 123.
• For information on the local Chlamydia Screening Programme and where to find information on your nearest screening venues or to request a postal testing kit visit www.gettested.nhs.uk/ or call 01260 277477
