Chlamydia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Chlamydia?
A primary care doctor can test for and treat chlamydia. A gynecologist (a women's health doctor) or a urologist (a urinary tract doctor) can also help. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI). That means it is passed on during sex. Bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis cause it. Anyone can get chlamydia. It often does not cause symptoms, so people may not know they have it. Antibiotics, medicines that kill bacteria, can cure it. If it is not treated, chlamydia can cause serious health problems.
Symptoms
Chlamydia does not usually cause symptoms. You can still pass the infection to others even if you feel fine. If symptoms do appear, they may not start until several weeks after sex with someone who has chlamydia.
Women with symptoms may notice:
- An abnormal vaginal discharge, which may have a strong smell.
- A burning feeling when urinating.
If the infection spreads, a woman may also have lower belly pain, pain during sex, nausea, and fever.
Men with symptoms may notice:
- Discharge from the penis.
- A burning feeling when urinating.
- Pain and swelling in one or both testicles. This is less common.
Chlamydia can also infect the rectum in men and women. It can cause rectal pain, discharge, and bleeding.
Causes and who gets it
You can get chlamydia during oral, vaginal, or anal sex with someone who has it. A pregnant woman with chlamydia can pass it to her baby during childbirth. The baby can get eye infections and pneumonia, which is a lung infection.
Chlamydia is more common in young people, especially young women. You are more likely to get it if you do not use a condom every time or if you have more than one partner.
In women, an untreated infection can spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can permanently damage the reproductive system. It can lead to long-term pelvic pain, infertility, and ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy, which is a pregnancy outside the womb, can be fatal.
How doctors diagnose it
Doctors use lab tests to find chlamydia. The recommended test is a NAAT, a very sensitive lab test. For women, the sample can be a vaginal swab or first-void urine, which is the first part of the urine stream. For men, doctors can test first-void urine or a swab from the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body.
You should see a provider for a test if you have symptoms or if a partner has an STI. If you are pregnant, you should be tested at your first prenatal visit. CDC says a sexually active woman younger than 25 should be tested every year.
Treatment
Antibiotics cure chlamydia. CDC guidelines say doxycycline is effective for chlamydia in the genitals, rectum, and throat. It is taken for 7 days. Azithromycin can be given as a single dose, but in studies of men with genital infections it failed more often than doxycycline. Take all of the medicine your provider gives you, and do not share it.
During pregnancy, azithromycin is safe and effective. Doxycycline is not used in the second and third trimesters because it can discolor a baby's teeth.
Partners from the 60 days before your symptoms or diagnosis should be tested and treated. Do not have sex until treatment is done. After a single dose, wait 7 days. With a 7-day course, wait until you finish all the doses. You also need to wait until your partners are treated.
Medicine stops the infection but cannot undo permanent damage. Repeat infection is common, so you should be tested again about three months after treatment.
When to see a doctor
See a provider for a test if you have symptoms of chlamydia or if a partner has an STI. Testicle pain in men and pelvic or belly pain in women can signal complications. Seek a medical evaluation. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have severe belly pain or pressure, fainting, or sudden, severe pain anywhere in the body.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Such a doctor can order the test, prescribe antibiotics, and plan a retest about three months later. They can also refer you to a specialist if complications are suspected.
Common questions
Can chlamydia be cured?
Yes, antibiotics can cure chlamydia. Medicine stops the infection, but it cannot undo any permanent damage the infection has already caused.
Can I have chlamydia and not know it?
Yes, chlamydia often causes no symptoms. You can still pass it on to others, and it can still cause serious health problems.
Can I get chlamydia again after treatment?
Yes, repeat infection is common. A retest about three months after treatment is advised, even if your partners were treated.
How can I lower my chance of getting chlamydia?
The only sure way to prevent chlamydia is to not have vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Using condoms the right way every time greatly reduces the risk but does not remove it.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Chlamydia Infections
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - About Chlamydia
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Chlamydial Infections, STI Treatment Guidelines
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
