When diagnosed, chlamydia can be easily treated and cured. Untreated, chlamydia can cause severe, costly reproductive and other health problems which include both short- and long-term consequences, including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which is the critical link to infertility, and potentially fatal tubal pregnancy.

Up to 40% of women with untreated chlamydia will develop PID. Undiagnosed PID caused by chlamydia is common. Of those with PID, 20% will become infertile; 18% will experience debilitating, chronic pelvic pain; and 9% will have a life-threatening tubal pregnancy. Tubal pregnancy is the leading cause of first-trimester, pregnancy-related deaths in American women.

Chlamydia may also result in adverse outcomes of pregnancy, including neonatal conjunctivitis and pneumonia. In addition, recent research has shown that women infected with chlamydia have a 3 - 5 fold increased risk of acquiring HIV, if exposed.

Chlamydia is also common among young men, who are seldom offered screening. Untreated chlamydia in men typically causes urethral infection, but may also result in complications such as swollen and tender testicles. As many as 1 in 10 adolescent girls tested for chlamydia is infected.

The annual cost of chlamydia and its consequences in the United States is more than $2 billion. The CDC estimates screening and treatment programs can be conducted at an annual cost of $175 million. Every dollar spent on screening and treatment saves $12 in complications that result from untreated chlamydia.

When symptoms do occur, they may be similar to those of other sexually transmitted infections.

See your doctor if you notice any of the following:

For Women
- unusual vaginal discharge
- burning when urinating
- lower abdominal pain or pain during intercourse
- bleeding between menstrual periods

For Men
- discharge from the penis
- burning when urinating
- burning/itching around the opening of the penis
- pain and swelling in the testicles

Abstinence from both genital and oral sex is the only way to be 100% sure that you are protected from chlamydia and other sexually transmitted infections.

If you are sexually active, you can lower your risk by following these guidelines:

Use Condoms. Although condoms do not provide perfect protection, they do provide the best protection available. Condoms should be used for vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse.

Have one and only mutual faithful partner. Do not engage in sexual intimacy until both of you have been tested.

Limit your number of partners. Your risk of acquiring chlamydia and other STD's increases as your number of partners increases.

Regular Check-ups. STD testing should be part of your regular exam. Do not wait for symtoms to appear.

DO NOT BECOME SEXUALLY INTIMATE WHEN DRINKING ALCOHOL OR USING OTHER DRUGS
Drugs reduce your ability to make sensible decisions.

Chlamydia is number one STD (12/9) Chlamydia tops the list of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) reported in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Chlamydia Screening: An important prevention decision (Mayo O@sis) STD: Fact Sheet about Chlamydia