Chlamydia Infection: 7 Symptoms and Signs in Men

Table of Contents

• What is Chlamydia?
• Common Chlamydia Symptoms in Men
• Is Discharge in Men a Sign of Chlamydia?
• How Can Men Get Chlamydia?
• How Is Chlamydia Diagnosed in Men?
• Is Chlamydia Detectable From Pictures?
• Chlamydia Treatment for Men
• Can Chlamydia Make Men Infertile?
• What Are The Other Risks If Left Untreated?
• How to Avoid Catching Chlamydia
• Key Takeaways

What is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It can affect individuals of all genders but can often cause different symptoms in men and women, or it may cause no symptoms at all, making it difficult to diagnose without testing. The condition can also cause symptoms which are similar to a UTI or other STIs such as gonorrhoea.

For this reason, the NHS recommends that if you are a sexually active male under the age of 25, you should get tested for chlamydia and other STIs once a year. This is particularly important for those that have unprotected casual sex on a regular basis.

Chlamydia is treated with antibiotics which have a high success rate. Most people take the medication without any problems.

Untreated chlamydia can cause serious issues including swelling of the testicles and tubes that carry sperm. This could then cause epididymitis and infertility in the long term.

Common Chlamydia Symptoms in Men

Chlamydia can be asymptomatic which is why it’s so easily spread. At least 50% of men with the infection show no symptoms. This means they don’t know they’ve got it, and may continue to engage in unprotected sexual activity, without seeking treatment.

For those men who do have symptoms, they can include:

1. Discharge From The Penis

If discharge from the penis is white, cloudy, or watery, then you could be presenting a symptom of chlamydia.

2. Pain When Urinating

If you feel unexplained pain when urinating, it could be a sign of chlamydia. Your urethra or prostate gland may be infected with the bacteria known as chlamydia trachomatis.

3. Itching, Stinging, or Burning of The Penis

Another common symptom is a burning or stinging sensation when you urinate. This is caused by an infection of the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body). The stinging or burning feeling can range from mild, to almost unbearable. You may also have an itchy feeling near the opening of the penis, and the tip can hurt when you touch it.

4. Rectal Pain, Discharge, or Bleeding

Chlamydia affecting the rectum can cause unexplained pain, light bleeding, an itchy anus, or unusual discharge and swelling in and around the anus. The infection can be passed on if you engage in unprotected anal sex.

5. Eye Inflammation

A chlamydia eye infection, also known as chlamydia conjunctivitis, can cause the eye to become red and irritated (pink eye) and can also cause discharge, and sensitivity to light. You should get treatment as soon as possible as the condition can worsen over time. Your GP may use a swab test to confirm that the infection is present.

6. Sore Throat

A pain in your mouth or a sore throat can be a sign of oral chlamydia, which is a possibility if you have engaged in unprotected oral sex. The condition often has no symptoms, or symptoms which are similar in nature to that of a sore throat.

7. Painful Testicles

Men with chlamydia may develop pain and swelling in their testicles as the bacteria makes its way to the testicles or scrotum. The area may also feel enlarged, full, heavy, warm to touch and tender.

If you notice you or your partner have any of these symptoms, or if your partner has been diagnosed with chlamydia, you should get a test right away.

Is Discharge in Men a Sign of Chlamydia?

Pre-ejaculate and ejaculate are considered to be normal discharge for males. Pre-ejaculate is a clear fluid that is secreted during sexual arousal to help prepare for sex. Ejaculate is white, cloudy and contains sperm. It comes out of the penis when you orgasm.

However, if you have a white, cloudy and or watery discharge at times when you are not sexually aroused, then you could have chlamydia. This type of discharge is one of the most common chlamydia symptoms in males. Discharge can also appear yellow in colour, and can have a foul smell.

How Can Men Get Chlamydia?

Men can get chlamydia by having penetrative sex, anal sex, or from giving and receiving oral sex, with someone who has chlamydia.

How Is Chlamydia Diagnosed in Men?

Men can test for chlamydia by doing a urine or swab test. The most common test for men is a urine test, which involves urinating into a sample tube. This sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. Test results are usually reliable and should be available within 2 to 3 days. This is the most accurate test.

Men and women can get free chlamydia tests from a local sexual health service. If you prefer, you can order a self-test kit for chlamydia from online pharmacies or buy them from high street chemists. Chemist Click offers discreet home-testing chlamydia kits that require a urine sample. Simply send the sample to our partner NHS accredited laboratory using the prepaid envelope provided, and you will receive your results in 2 to 3 days, by your preferred method of communication.

Is Chlamydia Detectable From Pictures?

No, the signs of chlamydia are not detectable from a picture. Healthcare professionals are not able to diagnose the condition by looking at pictures. Chlamydia is diagnosed using a test.

Chlamydia Treatment for Men

Chlamydia is a curable sexually transmitted infection (herpes, which cannot be treated). Treatment involves a short course of antibiotics which is the same for both men and women. There are two types of chlamydia tablets - doxycycline, and azithromycin.

Doxycycline is the first line treatment, as it is a more effective treatment for chlamydia. You take doxycycline twice a day for seven days. A test of cure is not usually required, due to the effectiveness of this antibiotic. It generally has positive reviews.

If you can’t take doxycycline, you’ll usually be prescribed azithromycin for 3 days. On day 1 you take two 500mg tablets and on day 2 and 3 you take one 500mg tablet. Although the course is shorter, azithromycin is not as effective as doxycycline, and is usually reserved for those that cannot take doxycycline.

Both are available in tablet or pill form and can be swallowed whole with water.

You should refrain from sexual activity during treatment, and for 7 days after having completed treatment. This is because there may be remnants of the infection that are still present after the treatment course has been completed. The antibiotics will still be working to get rid of the infection during these 7 days after treatment.

Can Chlamydia Make Men Infertile?

Yes, untreated chlamydia may make men infertile in rare cases.

The infection can spread to a man’s testicles and the tubes which carry sperm from the testicles, called epididymis. Both the testicles and epididymis can become painful and swollen. This is a condition known as epididymitis or epididymo-orchitis. It is very rare. Chlamydia infections in testicular tissue may affect a man’s fertility, due to a lower sperm count and lower quality sperm. Antibiotics can treat the infection effectively.

What Are The Other Risks If Left Untreated?

Untreated chlamydia in men can also cause sexually acquired reactive arthritis (SARA). This can lead to inflamed joints, eyes, or urethra (the tube that passes urine out of the body) causing pain when urinating. SARA is more common in men than women. There is no cure for SARA; however, most people get better within a few months. The symptoms of SARA can be treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen.

Men (and women) with chlamydia also have an increased risk of getting other infections including gonorrhea or HIV.

How to Avoid Catching Chlamydia

Anyone who has unprotected sex is at risk of contracting chlamydia. As many people with chlamydia don’t notice symptoms, you may not always know if a current or potential sexual partner is carrying the infection. It is therefore recommended to practice safe sex using barrier contraceptive methods, and test regularly. If you have a new sexual partner or do not use barrier contraception, such as a condom, when having sex, you are at a higher risk of catching chlamydia.

To reduce your risk of chlamydia and other STIs you should:

• Use a condom every time you have vaginal and anal
• Use a condom to cover the penis during oral sex
• Use a dam (a thin piece of soft plastic or latex) to cover the female genitals during oral sex or when female genitals rub together
• Not share sex toys. If you do share sex toys, wash them after each use or cover them with a new condom each time they are used.

Key Takeaways

If you believe you've possibly come into contact with chlamydia or you notice any related symptoms, it is crucial to seek medical advice. Prompt intervention benefits not only your health but also helps to prevent the spread of the infection to others. For those who are concerned, Chemist Click offers a complimentary online consultation service.

Frequent screening and open discussions regarding sexual wellness are vital preventive steps. Additionally, the use of condoms greatly reduces the likelihood of becoming infected while also protecting you against other sexually transmitted diseases.

Whilst all of our content is written and reviewed by healthcare professionals, it is not intended to be substituted for or used as medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.