What you should know:

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are bacterial infections that spread through sexual contact, and are common in young people ages 15-24. There are nearly 3.7 million new chlamydia and gonorrhea infections that occur in the U.S. each year. Estimates show that 1 in 20 sexually active young women aged 14-24 years has chlamydia.

Most people with Chlamydia and Gonorrhea will have no symptoms. Many people have these infections and don’t know it.  If there are symptoms, they can be different for males and females.

• In people with female anatomy, the symptoms of both infections include:
  • Vaginal discharge or itching
  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Pain during sex
  • Burning or pain during urination
• In people with male anatomy, the symptoms of both infections include:
  • Burning or pain during urination
  • Discharge from the penis
  • Pain, swelling, or tenderness of the testicles.
  • In males who have sex with males, both infections can also cause rectal pain, discharge, and bleeding.

If these infections are not treated, they can lead to more serious long term health problems. These problems include more serious infections as well as infertility for patients with female anatomy.  By getting tested you can take control of your sexual health and protect yourself from unnecessary complications in the future.

Protect yourself and get screened.

• Based on recommendations from the CDC , how common these infections are and the possible serious long term complications for people with female anatomy, it is now CPCMG policy to automatically perform these screening tests during Well Checks (aka “physicals” or “check-ups”) for all patients with female anatomy.
• Early detection and treatment will prevent the infection from getting worse, long term complications, and infecting other people.
  • Testing is easy and painless.  You will provide a urine sample that your healthcare provider will send to the lab for testing.  The patient will be contacted for abnormal results.  
    • If you test positive, you are not alone. Chlamydia and gonorrhea infections can be treated with antibiotics. It is very important to finish all of the antibiotics that are prescribed to you. Your partner(s) should also be screened and treated.
    • If you test negative, good news!

How to lower your risk?

• The only way to completely prevent Chlamydia/ Gonorrhea is not to have sex.
• Other ways to decrease your risk are:
  • Only having sex with someone who’s not infected and who has sex only with you.
  • Condoms can reduce your risk of getting chlamydia if used the right way every single time you have sex.  
  • Washing the genitals, urinating, or douching after sex will not prevent any sexually transmitted infection.

*For more information, you can visit https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/facts-brochures.htm

*You may receive a bill for this service.  IF you have any questions regarding your coverage, please contact your health plan.

This publication was adapted from information from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Reviewed by: VD R.N, AR D.O. | 09/2023