Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. In men, chlamydia often has no symptoms, so many men may be unaware they have the infection. Left untreated, chlamydia can cause serious health problems in both men and women. So it’s important to get tested and treated if you are sexually active.
The good news is, chlamydia is curable if treated properly. With the right treatment, chlamydia does not have to be permanent in men. Read on to learn more about chlamydia in men, how to test for it, and what to do if you test positive.
What Is Chlamydia?
Chlamydia trachomatis is a type of bacteria that can infect the genital tract and cause inflammation. There are multiple strains or “serovars” of the chlamydia bacteria that affect humans:
- Serovars D-K: Cause genital tract infections
- Serovars L1-L3: Cause lymphogranuloma venereum, a rare form of chlamydia
- Serovars A-C: Cause eye infections like trachoma
Genital infections with chlamydia are spread through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Ejaculate and vaginal fluids carry the bacteria which can infect mucous membranes.
Chlamydia can also be spread from mother to baby during childbirth if the mother has an untreated chlamydia infection.
Signs and Symptoms in Men
Many men with chlamydia don’t notice any symptoms at all. When symptoms do occur, they may show up between 1 to 3 weeks after exposure.
Some common signs and symptoms of chlamydia in men include:
- Burning or pain during urination
- Cloudy, odor-free discharge from the penis
- Burning or itching around the opening of the penis
- Pain or swelling in the testicles
However, the only way to know for sure if you have chlamydia is to get tested.
Complications in Men
Although chlamydia in men often causes no symptoms initially, complications can occur over time if left untreated:
- Epididymitis: Inflammation of the tube that carries sperm from the testicle. This can cause fever, scrotal pain, and in rare cases, fertility issues.
- Prostatitis: Infection of the prostate gland causing pelvic pain, discomfort during urination, and fever.
- Urethritis: Inflammation of the urethra or urinary tube. Symptoms include penile discharge and burning during urination.
- Reiter’s syndrome: A reactive arthritis marked by inflammation of the joints, eyes, and urethra following chlamydia infection.
- Proctitis: Inflammation of the lining of the rectum, causing rectal pain, discharge, and bleeding.
Rarely, chlamydia can spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream. This can cause more serious infections like encephalitis or endocarditis.
Without treatment, chlamydia can increase a man’s risk of other conditions like HIV if exposed. Overall, complications from chlamydia become more likely the longer the infection goes untreated.
How Is Chlamydia Diagnosed in Men?
There are a few different ways to test for chlamydia:
- Urine test: The most common test checks a sample of urine for chlamydia bacteria. It’s quick and painless.
- Urethral swab: A swab is inserted a short distance into the urethra and rotated to collect fluid and cells for testing.
- Blood test: Can check for chlamydia antibodies in the bloodstream indicating current or past infection.
Men who engage in oral or anal sex may also require swabs from the throat or rectum.
Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) are the most accurate methods for diagnosing chlamydia and gonorrhea infections. These molecular tests detect genetic material of the bacteria. Results are usually available within a few days.
Your doctor may also check for other STIs like gonorrhea, syphilis, or HIV at the same time, since they can produce similar symptoms. Getting tested regularly is important to check for any new or recurring infections if you have multiple partners.
Is Chlamydia Permanent if Left Untreated in Men?
The effects of untreated chlamydia can potentially be long-lasting or permanent in some cases. However, the infection itself does not have to be.
With appropriate antibiotic treatment, chlamydia is almost always curable even if it persists. The infection usually clears up quickly once medication is started.
But without treatment, chlamydia bacteria can survive and multiply in the male genital tract for months or even years. During this time, complications like epididymitis or urethritis may develop and become chronic or permanent issues.
Scarring from urethral inflammation may also persist after the infection is cured. Additionally, the risk of infertility increases if chlamydia spreads to the testicles and causes permanent damage.
So while chlamydia does not have to become a permanent condition with proper treatment, the complications worsen the longer it goes undiagnosed. Getting tested and starting medication prevents lasting damage.
What Is the Treatment for Chlamydia in Men?
Chlamydia is treated and cured with oral antibiotics. A single dose of azithromycin or a week-long course of doxycycline are the most common treatments.
Here are the standard treatments guidelines:
- Azithromycin: 1 gram taken orally in a single dose
- Doxycycline: 100 mg taken orally 2 times per day for 7 days
All sex partners from the last 2 months should also be notified, tested, and treated to prevent spreading or re-infection. You should avoid any sexual activity until 7 days after starting antibiotics.
Make sure to finish the entire course of antibiotics, even if symptoms improve quickly. Follow up testing is often done 3-4 weeks later to confirm the infection has cleared.
How Soon Can Chlamydia Be Cured?
Chlamydia symptoms in men usually improve within 1-3 days after starting treatment. The infection is considered cured and non-contagious after finishing a full antibiotic course.
But in some cases, it can take up to two weeks for the infection to fully clear from the body after antibiotics are finished. Some experts recommend avoiding sex for 7 days after treatment just to be safe.
Rarely, antibiotic resistance can develop making chlamydia difficult to cure. If symptoms persist after treatment, your doctor will check for resistance and prescribe different antibiotics. Multiple treatment courses over 6-12 weeks may be needed in resistant cases.
As long as you take the antibiotics according to your doctor’s instructions, chlamydia is almost always curable within 1-2 weeks. The sooner treatment begins, the lower your risks of complications.
Can You Get Chlamydia Again After Being Treated?
Yes, it is possible to contract chlamydia again even after successful treatment. Treatment only cures the infection you currently have – you can still get re-infected if exposed in the future.
This occurs most often by having unprotected sex with someone who carries the bacteria. If your partner(s) don’t get treated, exchange of fluids can easily spread the bacteria back even after you take antibiotics.
Using condoms correctly every time you have sex greatly reduces the risk of re-infection. Also make sure any partners get tested and treated as well.
Waiting 3-4 weeks after treatment to have sex again minimizes the risk of relapse from any bacteria that may still linger. Retesting often confirms if an infection has cleared or returned.
Multiple chlamydia infections increase risks of serious complications like pelvic inflammatory disease. Practicing safe sex is important to avoid recurring infections.
Natural Remedies and Home Treatment
There are currently no proven natural remedies that can cure a chlamydia infection. Antibiotics are necessary to properly treat the infection.
However, some natural supplements may help relieve symptoms while you are waiting for antibiotic treatment:
- Cranberry juice: Helps reduce painful urination and urinary discomfort.
- Goldenseal: Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial herb that may ease symptoms.
- Vitamin C: Boosts immune function and helps fight infection.
- Zinc: Supports immune health and reproductive function.
- Tea tree oil: Has antiseptic properties that may reduce penile itching and irritation.
Avoid sexual activity while using natural remedies, since they won’t cure chlamydia. See a doctor as soon as possible for proper treatment.
Home care tips for symptom relief include:
- Drinking plenty of water to flush out bacteria and reduce painful urination
- Urinating frequently and completely to prevent urine retention
- Applying warm compresses to the genitals to ease pain and swelling
- Taking OTC pain medication for pain and fever
- Avoiding sexual activity during treatment to prevent spread
Prevention Tips
Chlamydia spreads easily during unprotected sex, so the best prevention is:
- Use condoms correctly every time you have oral, anal, or vaginal sex
- Limit your number of sexual partners
- Ask partners to get regularly tested if sexually active with multiple people
- Talk to partners about past sexual history and any STDs
- Get retested every 3-6 months if having new partners
Chlamydia screening is recommended each year for sexually active women under 25 and men who have sex with men. All pregnant women should be tested to prevent transmission to the baby.
No vaccine is currently available that protects against chlamydia. Following safer sexual practices is the only way to reduce your infection risks.
Chlamydia in Men: The Bottom Line
Chlamydia is a common bacterial STI that can infect men without causing obvious symptoms. If left untreated, it can lead to complications like infertility.
Fortunately, chlamydia is curable with antibiotics and does not have to become permanent if caught early. The treatment is very effective if completed properly.
The key is to get tested regularly when sexually active, especially if you have new or multiple partners. If diagnosed with chlamydia, finish the full antibiotic course and have partners tested as well. This will prevent further spread and lasting effects.
Practicing safe sex by using condoms, limiting partners, and annual screening are the best ways for sexually active men to avoid chlamydia in the first place. While not having sex is the only sure way to prevent infection, following safer sex guidelines greatly reduces your risks.
Most cases of chlamydia are easily cured within 1-2 weeks if treated right away. See your doctor for proper diagnosis and antibiotic medication to avoid complications. With appropriate treatment, chlamydia does not have to become a permanent condition.