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Read time: 12 min
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Posted on:
Read time: 12 min
Posted on:
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can often be difficult to spot due to its lack of symptoms.
One of the most common symptoms of chlamydia is a change in your vaginal discharge. While discharge is a normal bodily function, changes in color, consistency, and odor can be an indication of an infection. So what does chlamydia discharge look like?
Typically, the discharge associated with chlamydia is yellow in color and may have a strong odor. It may also be thicker than your usual discharge.
Key takeaways:
Continue reading to learn more about chlamydia discharge.
Discharge may be something that you’ve experienced before, and it’s not always a sign of infections like Chlamydia. Vaginal discharge is very common and it’s produced by the uterus, cervix, and vagina in order to clean and fight bad bacteria. So often, discharge is a sign that everything is in order and that your body is doing its part in fighting off infections and diseases.
The amount of discharge you experience can vary from person to person, so there’s no need to be concerned if you feel like you produce either a little or a lot.
However, if you notice a change in your discharge, it might be time to get yourself checked and do something about it. You may see a change in consistency, color, or even smell. While a change might not be a sign of anything serious, it’s better to be safe than sorry and make sure you don’t have any kind of disease.
If you have an STD or Chlamydia, then you may notice a significant change in your discharge compared to what you’re used to experiencing.
Again, it can differ from person to person, but if you notice a change – get in touch with a healthcare professional as soon as possible.
A very telling sign that you are experiencing an STD or Chlamydia would be a change in color; which in this case would be yellow.
Now that we know that a change in color, specifically to yellow, may be an indication of Chlamydia – let’s take a more in-depth look into other colors you might experience and what they could possibly mean.
While some changes in color may not be anything to worry about, there are certain times when you should take note and seek medical attention as soon as possible. If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, then it’s best to consult with a healthcare professional as you may have an STD or an infection.
Your discharge may just be a healthy function of your body, but it’s worth paying attention to just in case there is any kind of changes being experienced. If you’ve recently had a new sexual partner, it would be healthy to observe for any changes, as your partner may not even be aware that they’re carrying the infection.
Most importantly, symptoms can vary in severity and are different based on sex. You may even experience a change in discharge a few weeks after sex with a partner who was infected, making it harder to spot the symptom, as well as the cause of it.
As mentioned before, vaginal discharge is common and the result of the body fighting bad bacteria and lubricating the vagina. While the discharge itself isn’t the concern, the change in discharge should be.
The appearance of your discharge may change when you have Chlamydia, appearing a more yellow color instead of the usual, and it’s often accompanied by a strong and unpleasant smell.
The discharge is not always yellow, however, and sometimes it can vary in consistency, as well. The discharge might be thicker than usual, as well as a cloudier color. If you’re experiencing any changes with your discharge, it might be worth booking an appointment with a professional just to make sure.
Symptoms won’t always show and it’s estimated that 40-96% of women experiencing Chlamydia are asymptomatic., and it could take a while before you see any signs of Chlamydia, meaning you could have had it for a long time before realizing it. It’s due to this that it’s so easily spread from partner to partner.
Discharge in men is a lot less common than in women, and it’s generally only seen or experienced during sexual stimulation. If you’re experiencing discharge outside of sexual stimulation, and it doesn’t appear to be ejaculate or pre-ejaculate, it may be a sign that you have Chlamydia. It’s also worth noting that, unlike women, men may not experience a yellow discharge – making it even more difficult to identify.
Another sign to look out for if you’ve noticed discharge when there shouldn’t be any is if you are experiencing any kind of pain or strange sensations when urinating, or even just in general. This could be itching, burning, stinging, or even testicular pain.
With that said, the symptoms aren’t always telling, and even if you have Chlamydia – you might not notice it due to a lack of discharge and strange sensations. If you’ve seen the signs and are unsure of it, it would be a great idea to take a Chlamydia test just to make sure. Leaving it untreated can lead the infection to spread to the testicles, which will cause pain and swelling/inflammation.
If you have an unusual discharge, it’s best to get in touch with a healthcare professional and take a Chlamydia test. While an infection may clear up on its own, it’s always better to have it taken care of and treated as soon as possible. As mentioned before, if left untreated, Chlamydia can spread and cause issues elsewhere in the body, so the faster you act – the better.
Even if you don’t have it, a change in discharge can be a sign of something else that’s wrong in the body, and getting a second opinion can help shed some light on the situation. The worst-case scenario is that you do have Chlamydia and that you get it treated as soon as possible.
Your doctor will prescribe you antibiotics to fight the infection, but it may take some time for it to fully fight off the infection. You should make sure you take the full course of antibiotics prescribed to you, as well, or else your infection may come back despite you feeling as if it’s gone.
If you find that the antibiotics you’ve been given aren’t helping, or your condition is worsening even after you’ve had the full course, then you should get in touch with your doctor as soon as possible to see about seeking an alternative treatment. Prior use of antibiotics may have made them less effective, and it’s possible that it will affect your treatment.
Content on the DrHouse website is written by our medical content team and reviewed by qualified MDs, PhDs, NPs, and PharmDs. We follow strict content creation guidelines to ensure accurate medical information. However, this content is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For more information read our medical disclaimer.
Always consult with your physician or other qualified health providers about medical concerns. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it based on what you read on this website.
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