Chlamydia in Women: What You Need to Know

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI or STD) that’s caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacterium. Researchers estimate that about 2.9 million Americans are infected with chlamydia each year.

The infection spreads through anal, vaginal, and oral sex—and both women and men are at risk for chlamydia. Among women, chlamydia is especially common in the 15-24 age range. The CDC recommends that sexually active women under 25 get tested annually for chlamydia, as well as gonorrhea.

With the Everlywell at-home Chlamydia & Gonorrhea Test, you can easily check for chlamydia and gonorrhea from the privacy of home—and get quick, confidential results within days on our secure, online platform. Everlywell also offers a more comprehensive at-home STD test that checks for 6 common sexually transmitted infections.

You can't build up an immunity to chlamydia, so even if you've already received treatment, you can still get infected again—but practicing safe sex (like consistently using condoms during sex) can help reduce your risk of reinfection.

Chlamydia symptoms in women can include:

* Bleeding between periods * Bleeding after sex * Pain during sex * Abdominal or pelvic pain * Abnormal vaginal discharge * Pain when urinating

Keep in mind, though, that not all women with chlamydia develop symptoms. The signs of chlamydia in women can also mirror the symptoms of other conditions—so testing for chlamydia is the only way to be sure whether you have this STI.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Symptoms of PID can include:

* Bleeding between periods * Abdominal pain * Fever or chills * Pain when urinating * Vaginal discharge * Pain during intercourse

Ectopic Pregnancy

If the egg is fertilized, it typically implants in the uterus. But in rare cases, the egg may implant outside the uterus, including in the cervix or ovaries. This condition is known as an ectopic pregnancy.

An ectopic pregnancy can't be carried to term, and in some cases, an ectopic pregnancy ruptures the fallopian tube or triggers internal bleeding. If this happens, the woman may need surgery or other emergency care.

Left untreated, chlamydia and gonorrhea can increase your risk of ectopic pregnancy by causing inflammation or blockages in the fallopian tubes (which means the fertilized egg can’t pass into the uterus).

Fortunately, ectopic pregnancies are fairly uncommon, and many women who get chlamydia recover—through treatment—without developing pregnancy-related complications. However, screening for chlamydia is key for preventing complications like PID: the CDC recommends all pregnant women under 25 get tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea, as well as pregnant women age 25+ who have risk factors (such as having a new sex partner or more than one sex partner).

[](https://www.everlywell.com/products/chlamydia-gonorrhea-test/)

If your healthcare provider diagnoses you with chlamydia, they may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. It’s important to complete the full course of medication instead of stopping early—even if you are no longer experiencing symptoms. After you’ve completed the full course, your provider may recommend a follow-up test to confirm that the infection is gone.

How Is Gonorrhea Similar to Chlamydia?

Symptoms of gonorrhea in women can include:

* Pain when urinating * Abnormal vaginal discharge * Bleeding between periods

Does Chlamydia Affect Fertility in Women?

With the Everlywell at-home Chlamydia & Gonorrhea Test, you can easily check for chlamydia and gonorrhea from the privacy of home—and get quick, confidential results within days on our secure, online platform.

Shop Chlamydia & Gonorrhea Tests Today!