Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It is one of the most frequently diagnosed STIs globally, with an estimated 128.5 million new infections among adults aged 15-49 years in 2020. A female infected with Chlamydia can indeed transmit the infection to a male during sexual contact. A significant challenge with Chlamydia is that it often presents no noticeable symptoms, making awareness and testing particularly important for preventing its spread.
How Chlamydia Spreads
Chlamydia is primarily transmitted through unprotected vaginal, anal, and oral sexual contact. The bacteria spread through sexual fluids, including semen, pre-cum, and vaginal fluids. Ejaculation is not required for transmission to occur. The infection can also be passed through genital contact, even without full intercourse, or by sharing sex toys with an infected person.
Symptoms and Health Effects in Males
Many men who contract Chlamydia experience no symptoms, with approximately 50% of people with penises remaining asymptomatic. If symptoms do appear, they develop between one week and three months after exposure. Common signs include a clear, white, or cloudy discharge from the tip of the penis, as well as a burning sensation or pain during urination. Some men may also experience burning or itching around the testicles and penis.
Untreated Chlamydia can lead to more serious health complications in males. The infection can spread to the epididymis, the coiled tube at the back of the testicles that stores and carries sperm, causing inflammation known as epididymitis. Symptoms of epididymitis include pain, swelling, and tenderness in one or both testicles. This inflammation can potentially lead to infertility. Chlamydia may also cause reactive arthritis, leading to joint pain and swelling.
Prevention and Testing
Preventing Chlamydia transmission primarily involves practicing safer sex. Consistent and correct use of latex condoms during all vaginal, anal, and oral sexual activity significantly reduces the risk of infection. Using a dental dam during oral sex on a vagina or during vagina-to-vagina contact also offers protection. Avoiding the sharing of sex toys, or washing them thoroughly and covering them with a new condom between uses, is another important preventive step.
Regular STI testing is recommended for sexually active individuals, especially those with new or multiple partners. For men, Chlamydia is diagnosed with a urine test. If diagnosed, Chlamydia is treated and cured with antibiotics, a single dose of azithromycin or a seven-day course of doxycycline. To prevent re-infection, individuals should abstain from sexual activity for at least seven days after single-dose therapy or until completing a seven-day regimen and resolution of symptoms. It is also important to notify and ensure all recent sexual partners from the past 60 days are tested and treated.