Being diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) like chlamydia can be scary, confusing, and overwhelming. If you’ve recently found out that you have chlamydia, the most important thing to know is that you are not alone, and it is highly treatable. The steps you take now can help you heal, protect your health, and prevent the spread of the infection to others.
Understanding Chlamydia: A Quick Overview
Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide. It is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and is spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the infection. Many people who have chlamydia do not experience symptoms, which is why regular STI testing is so important, especially if you are sexually active with new or multiple partners.
Common Symptoms
- In women:
- Vaginal discharge
- Burning during urination
- Pain during sex
- Bleeding between periods
- Lower abdominal pain
- In men:
- Penile discharge
- Burning during urination
- Pain or swelling in one or both testicles (less common)
- In all genders (with anal exposure):
- Rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding
However, as many as 70–80% of women and 50% of men show no symptoms at all.
Step 1: Stay Calm and Educate Yourself
Learning that you have an STI can feel emotionally overwhelming. You might feel embarrassed, ashamed, angry, or confused. These feelings are valid but remember: chlamydia is not a moral failing, and it is very common and curable. Millions of people contract STIs every year. Getting tested and seeking treatment is the responsible thing to do.
Understanding the infection helps reduce anxiety. Chlamydia is:
- Caused by bacteria (not a virus)
- Easily treated with antibiotics
- Often asymptomatic
- Common in people aged 15–24
- Not something to be ashamed of
Step 2: Begin Treatment Immediately
Go to a Healthcare Provider
Your first priority should be to see a doctor, nurse practitioner, or sexual health clinic for a confirmed diagnosis and a treatment plan. In some cases, you may have been diagnosed through routine screening or symptoms. Either way, a medical provider will help determine the right course of treatment.
Antibiotic Treatment
Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics. The most common options include:
- Doxycycline: 100 mg twice daily for 7 days
- Azithromycin: A single 1g dose (less common now, but still used in some cases)
Your provider will determine which antibiotic is best for you based on your situation, allergies, or other medications.
Important:
- Take all medication exactly as prescribed—even if symptoms disappear.
- Do not have sex until the treatment course is complete and your healthcare provider clears you.
- Avoid alcohol if your medication requires it.
Step 3: Inform Your Sexual Partners
This step can feel uncomfortable, but it is essential. Any sexual partner you have had in the last 60 days needs to be informed that you have chlamydia. They may have been exposed and need to be tested and treated to prevent reinfection and the spread to others.
Tips for Talking to Partners
- Be calm, honest, and straightforward.
- Choose a private setting.
- Use language like, “I just found out I have chlamydia. It’s a common STI, and I’m getting treated. You should get tested too, just in case.”
- Offer information and support, and emphasize that you’re taking responsibility for your health.
Some sexual health clinics offer anonymous partner notification services if you don’t feel comfortable contacting the person yourself.
Step 4: Avoid Sexual Activity Until Cleared
It’s important to abstain from all sexual activity, including oral and anal sex, until:
- You have completed the full course of antibiotics, and
- Your doctor has confirmed that the infection has cleared (typically within 7 days of completing medication)
Resuming sexual activity too early increases the risk of reinfection or spreading it to others.
Step 5: Get Retested
Even after successful treatment, the CDC recommends a retest for chlamydia 3 months later, especially if:
- You are under age 25
- You had the infection before
- You did not tell all partners or suspect reinfection
Why? Because reinfection is common, and it can lead to serious long-term health problems, especially in people with uteruses.
Step 6: Prevent Future Infections
Once you’ve been treated and are feeling better, take steps to protect yourself and your partners in the future:
Use Protection Consistently
- Use condoms or dental dams for every sexual encounter
- Learn how to use protection properly
- Understand that while condoms reduce the risk, no method is 100% effective except abstinence
Get Regular STI Screenings
- If sexually active, test every 6–12 months
- More frequent testing is recommended for:
- People under 25
- Those with new or multiple partners
- Men who have sex with men (MSM)
Communicate With Your Partners
- Talk openly about STI status and testing history
- Make STI testing a shared part of your relationship
- Don’t rely solely on symptoms—many STIs are silent
Step 7: Know the Potential Complications
While chlamydia is highly treatable, untreated chlamydia can cause serious health issues, particularly in people with reproductive organs.
In Women:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Infertility
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Chronic pelvic pain
In Men:
- Epididymitis (painful inflammation of the testicles)
- Infertility (rare)
In Newborns:
If a person with chlamydia is pregnant, the infection can be passed to the baby during delivery, leading to:
- Pneumonia
- Eye infections (conjunctivitis)
This is why prenatal STI screening is crucial.
Step 8: Take Care of Your Mental Health
Being diagnosed with an STI can take a toll on your mental and emotional well-being. It’s normal to feel guilt, shame, or anxiety. However, chlamydia does not define you, and it’s important to practice self-compassion and recognize that STIs are a medical issue, not a moral one.
Tips for Mental Wellness:
- Talk to someone you trust—a friend, therapist, or counselor
- Join an online support group or STI education community
- Avoid self-blame—focus on taking action and staying informed
- Practice self-care—exercise, rest, hobbies, and healthy eating can help manage stress
Step 9: Talk to Your Doctor About Other STIs
If you tested positive for chlamydia, your provider may recommend a full STI screening, since co-infections are common. This could include testing for:
- Gonorrhea
- HIV
- Syphilis
- Hepatitis B and C
- Trichomoniasis
- Herpes (if symptoms are present)
Getting a complete sexual health checkup helps ensure you’re fully informed and treated for any co-existing conditions.
Step 10: Educate Others and Reduce Stigma
One of the most powerful things you can do after dealing with an STI is help break the stigma around sexual health. Talk openly about the importance of testing, share accurate information, and encourage others to prioritize their health.
STI stigma can prevent people from getting tested or treated. By being open and supportive, you help create a safer and healthier environment for everyone.
Conclusion: Moving Forward With Confidence
If you have chlamydia, the most important thing to know is that you can treat it, recover from it, and protect your future health. This experience, while stressful, can actually be a turning point in becoming more informed, communicative, and proactive about your sexual health.
To Recap:
- See a healthcare provider and take prescribed antibiotics
- Avoid sex until treatment is complete
- Notify your partners so they can get tested and treated
- Get retested in 3 months
- Practice safer sex and regular screenings
- Take care of your mental and emotional well-being
Having chlamydia doesn’t make you dirty, irresponsible, or unlovable—it makes you human. What matters most is how you respond, and choosing to take care of your health is a courageous and commendable step.