An STD that could be asymptomatic in both men and women is the commonly acquired Chlamydia. Some infected people do show signs and symptoms which are:
- In men, pain felt in the testicles
- Pain on urination
- Discharges from the urethra in men
- Discharges from the vagina in women
- Heavy and irregular menstruation
- In women, pain in the lower part of the abdomen
- Having trouble in conceiving
STD test screening for Chlamydia is very simple. Getting mucus from the cervix by means of a swab is the screening test that is usually done for women. For the men, discharges from the penis can be considered a good specimen. However, the most reliable screening test for men would be a urine sample.
Women infected with Chlamydia should have it diagnosed and treated as early as possible. Untreated Chlamydia can give free rein to the bacteria to create scarring in the fallopian tubes leading to complications such as ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. Another complication would be a serious infection along the lining of the uterus leading to PID or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease which would need surgery to heal and a lifetime of pain to overcome.
For the men, the complications for untreated Chlamydia would be an infection in the testicles’ tubes leading to another disease called epididymitis which would need surgery. Even with surgery, it will still result in the body’s failure to release testosterone, the male hormone that controls the voice and growth in men, leading to infertility.
If the symptoms and tests show that you are positive for Chlamydia, the treatment therapy will involve antibiotics. The most common antibiotics used include erythromycin, azithromycin, and doxycycline. A single dose of 1000 mg of azithromycin is the popular choice that is usually recommended by doctors. Complications arising from the infection will have to use at least two at a minimum with three maximum antibiotic treatments that has to be taken from ten to fourteen days. Being treated does not mean that you are now free from the infection. There are still two or three follow-up check-ups that need to be done before a medical practitioner declares you free of infection. It is in this period that poses a high risk for sexual activities. It is advised that abstinence for 7-10 days be followed to contain the infection.
With all the complications that Chlamydia can do to the health of the body, it stands to reason that safe sex must always be practiced, more so when sexual contact involves multiple partners. Protective barriers such as a condom will spell a big difference in not being infected than being infected. Yet, the best remedy would still be prevention. Your health can be better protected when you prevent yourself from having sex with different partners, with one of them turning out to be infected. This may be the best time to establish a long –lasting monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner that will stop you from becoming another person listed in the yearly statistic count of people that have acquired a sexually transmitted disease.