Chlamydia, a common sexually transmitted infection (STI), can cause frequent urination. This symptom arises when the Chlamydia trachomatis bacterium affects the urinary tract. While many people with chlamydia experience no symptoms, an increased urge to urinate can be a noticeable sign when symptoms do appear.
How Chlamydia Causes Urinary Symptoms
The bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis targets the body’s mucous membranes. When it infects the genital tract, it can lead to inflammation of the urethra, a condition known as urethritis. Inflammation and irritation of this tube directly contribute to a heightened sensation of needing to urinate, even if the bladder is not full.
The infection can also ascend from the urethra to the bladder, causing cystitis, or bladder inflammation. This inflammation intensifies the urge to urinate frequently and can also lead to discomfort or pain during urination. The bacteria cause an immune response, leading to the swelling and irritation that results in urinary symptoms.
Other Common Chlamydia Symptoms
Beyond frequent urination, chlamydia is often called a “silent infection” because many infected individuals, up to 75% of women and 50% of men, show no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they typically appear one to three weeks after exposure.
In women, common symptoms include abnormal vaginal discharge (white, yellow, or gray, potentially with an odor). Bleeding between periods or after sexual intercourse, as well as painful periods, can also occur. Lower abdominal pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse may also be experienced.
For men, symptoms can include a white, cloudy, or watery discharge from the penis. Pain or a burning sensation during urination is common. Men may also experience pain or swelling in one or both testicles. Chlamydia can infect other areas, such as the rectum (causing pain, discharge, or bleeding) or the throat (often without symptoms).
When to Seek Medical Attention and What to Expect
If you experience symptoms such as frequent urination, unusual discharge, or pain during urination, or if you believe you have been exposed to chlamydia, seeking medical attention is important. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent more serious health problems. Healthcare providers recommend yearly chlamydia testing for sexually active individuals under 25, and for older individuals with new or multiple sexual partners.
A medical visit typically involves discussing your sexual history and symptoms. Chlamydia is diagnosed primarily using a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), which detects the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria.
For diagnosis, a urine sample is commonly collected, especially for men. A swab may also be taken from the cervix or vagina in women. Swabs can be collected from the rectum or throat if oral or anal sex has occurred. Results are often available within a day. Avoid sexual activity while awaiting test results to prevent transmission.
Treatment and Preventing Complications
Chlamydia is readily treated with antibiotics, which are highly effective in clearing the infection. Common antibiotic regimens include a single oral dose of azithromycin or a seven-day course of doxycycline taken twice daily. Complete the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed, even if symptoms improve, to ensure the infection is fully eradicated and prevent antibiotic resistance.
Once diagnosed and treated, inform any recent sexual partners so they can be tested and treated. This helps prevent reinfection and further spread. Avoid sexual activity until both you and your partner(s) have completed treatment and symptoms have resolved.
If chlamydia is left untreated, it can lead to severe long-term complications. In women, untreated chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), resulting in chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility due to fallopian tube damage. In men, untreated infection can lead to epididymitis, a painful inflammation of the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles, which can cause infertility. Chlamydia can also increase the risk of acquiring or transmitting other sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.