What is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection and 1 in 8 people under 25 have it.

Chlamydia affects both men and women.

With Chlamydia often there are no symptoms at all ! Sometimes you will have a white discharge, sometimes smelly, from the penis or vagina. 

There may be some itching.  You may have pain or burning when having a pee!  Or you may get bleeding in between your periods or after sex.

You can get it through having unprotected sex, including oral sex with someone who has the infection. You can also get it if you share sex toys, and it can be passed to your eyes if you get the infection on your fingers. Pregnant women can also pass chlamydia to their baby.

Most people don’t know they have it because you don’t always get symptoms. This means that you can have it for months, even years, without knowing.

Chlamydia can be detected by taking a swab from the vagina (you can do this yourself)! Or by peeing in a pot!

Who are R U Sure?

R U Sure is the Black Country Chlamydia Screening Programme covering Sandwell, Dudley, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

They offer free, simple self taken tests for Chlamydia.

The test for chlamydia is completely painless and simple – so simple you can do it yourself.
All you need is a urine sample – just peeing into a small tube.

You can take a self-test in a variety of places, including local sexual health clinics, drop-in centres and youth venues.

To get your free and confidential test call R U Sure on 0800 694 0104 or log on to www.rusureblackcountry.nhs.uk

Because some people don’t have any symptoms (or don’t get treated) Chlamydia can remain in the body.  This may mean they can’t have babies (male and female infertility).  Long term infection often causes pain in the lower part of the abdomen (tummy) for women and in the testes for men.