WHAT IS IT?: The most common bacterial STD today.

CAUSE: Chlamydia trachomatis (bacteria)

TRANSMISSION: Sexual contact; from mother to child during vaginal birth; by secondary infection from touching an infected part of the body and then touching another part of the body.

SYMPTOMS: FIRST APPEARANCE: 7-14 days after transmission.  80% of women and 10% of men have no symptoms.  WOMEN - May have no symptoms or a mild transient discharge.  May have discharge, itching, low-grade fever, and bleeding between periods.  MEN - Discharge from the penis and/or burning and itching when urinating. Symptoms may be confusing as they lessen during the day, but return the next day.  The worst symptoms are in the morning.  More common in uncircumcised and older men.

TESTS: Culture of vaginal discharge and penile discharge.

TREATMENT: Doxycycline or tetracycline (antibiotics) taken orally for two weeks. TREATMENT OF PARTNER IS ESSENTIAL

CURABLE: Yes, with antibiotics.

LIFE TIME EFFECTS FOR YOU: WOMEN: If untreated will advance to PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease), cervicitis (inflammation of the cervix), endometritis (inflammation of the lining of the uterus). Can cause permanent infertility; damage to the fallopian tubes can cause ectopic pregnancy.  MEN: If untreated can cause epididymitis and sterility.

COMMENTS: This is now the most common of all bacterial STDs - called the Silent Epidemic.  There is an estimated 4 to 8 million new cases each year.   Pelvic inflammatory disease is one of the most common causes of ectopic pregnancy and infertility in women.

Return to

OR Return to the Contraceptive Guide Main Menu, Click the Button and this Window Will Close OR Visit Other Areas of this Site by Clicking the Icons Women's Health Index Physician Page Pregnancy Childbirth Spirituality Published Articles Home Page Site Index

© 1996-99: MJ Bovo.  All rights reserved under US Copyright Law.