Written by: Lauren Haines

**What is Chlamydia? ** Chlamydia is the most commonly reported bacterial STI in the United States, with approximately 3 million cases being reported each year. Chlamydia is spread through sexual contact including vaginal, anal and oral sex. What symptoms should I look out for?

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Most cases of Chlamydia are asymptomatic, meaning you may not have any symptoms of the infection. Since so many cases are asymptomatic, routine screening for Chlamydia is very important to help detect the infection and prevent spreading it to others.

If you do experience symptoms, the most common symptoms are:

• Abnormal vaginal or penile discharge (white, cloudy or yellowish)
• Pain or discomfort during urination or sexual intercourse
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding, spotting between periods
• Testicular pain and/or swelling

**How do I know if I have Chlamydia? ** Screening for Chlamydia is simple and painless. Chlamydia can be detected using a throat swab, vaginal swab, rectal swab or a urine sample. Chlamydia can only be detected in the site that it is tested on. So, if you provide a vaginal swab, it will only show if you have Chlamydia in your vagina. It will not show if you have Chlamydia in your throat or rectum. No blood testing is required to detect Chlamydia

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**So what happens if I have it? ** If you are determined to have a Chlamydia infection, your medical provider can provide treatment for you. Chlamydia is completely curable with appropriate antibiotic treatment. If left untreated, Chlamydia can lead to other problems such as pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, or chronic pelvic or pain. If you would like to be screened for Chlamydia, please visit www.tbd.health to consult with a TBD health medical provider and/or order an at-home screening test. Remember, many STIs do not show symptoms. Even if you are feeling well, it is important to get screened for STIs regularly.

This article provides information about sexual health, healthcare and/or related subjects. The blog content and any linked materials herein are not intended to be, and should not be construed as a substitute for, medical or healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment. Any reader or person with a medical concern should consult with an appropriately-licensed physician or other healthcare provider. This blog is provided purely for informational purposes. The views expressed herein are not sponsored by and do not represent the opinions of TBD Health Inc.