In today’s modern society, where open-mindedness is embraced, hook-up culture has become more prevalent among the younger generation in Singapore. To many millennials, hook-ups have become the new norm and getting intimate with someone else is the fastest way to get acquainted.
As more individuals continue to engage in an active sexual lifestyle, the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) rapidly increases. A lack of contraceptives used during sexual intercourse, poor sexual health knowledge, and irregular STD testing can all contribute to an STD diagnosis.
In Singapore, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis are the top three STDs that most Singaporeans are afflicted with. In fact, chlamydia takes the cake by ranking itself as one of the world’s most common bacterial STD. This is because the disease is easily transmitted via penetrative sex or contact with bodily fluids from an infected individual.
To protect yourself from the risk of contracting chlamydia when having sex, let us share what you need to know about this disease, its relevant risks, and how you can best prevent the infection before it is too late.
What is chlamydia?
Chlamydia is one of the most common bacterial STDs worldwide, affecting men and women across all age groups. This disease is caused by the bacteria chlamydia trachomatis, a contagious pathogen that can be transmitted across all individuals via penetrative vaginal, anal, and oral sex. However, this infection is especially ubiquitous amongst young adults for reasons pertaining to having intimate sexual intercourse with multiple high-risk sexual partners.
Chlamydia infection generally occurs in the genital tract – the cervix for women and the penis for men. In some cases, the bacteria may also infect the rectum and throat. Furthermore, pregnant women contracted with chlamydia can also pass it on to their children during vaginal delivery. Although anyone who regularly partakes in unprotected sexual activities is prone to contracting chlamydia, men and women under 25 are most susceptible to this disease.
Symptoms of chlamydia
The warning signs of chlamydia are so subtle that most infected patients don’t realise that they have contracted the disease. The symptoms typically don’t present themselves in a host until the disease has developed into a severe complication. Unless a person regularly goes for STD screenings, infected individuals will unwittingly spread it to their sexual partners, causing chlamydia infections to proliferate across the population.
However, there are situations whereby patients experience tell-tale symptoms regarding a chlamydia infection. For women, they may encounter vaginal itching, burning sensation during urination, and abnormal foul-smelling discharge. Moreover, discomfort or bleeding during sexual intercourse is also a sign that one may have chlamydia. Conversely, men may be afflicted with painful or swollen testicles, as well as a pus-like discharge emitting from the tip of their penis.
Long-term health consequences of chlamydia
As with all STDs, chlamydia can contribute to severe health issues in the long run if left untreated. Because its initial symptoms are so mild, this sexual disease is generally left unchecked, which eventually snowballs into pressing health concerns.
For example, women may gradually develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection that affects the female reproductive organs. This occurs when the chlamydia trachomatis spreads into the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. In its advanced stages, PID can cause infertility and chronic pain.
Meanwhile, men may develop epididymitis – an inflammation in a coiled tube at the back of the testicles responsible for storing and carrying sperm. This inflammation can result in chronic scrotal pain.
Treatments for chlamydia
The good news is that chlamydia is treatable with antibiotics. More than 95% of diagnosed patients are cured within one week upon starting antibiotic medications, provided the infection is still in its early stages. On the flip side, those experiencing advanced cases of chlamydia will find that antibiotics are not effective, as the disease is much more resistant to such treatments.
Three to four months after receiving treatment, it is essential to undergo an STD screening to ensure that you are chlamydia-free. Until your STD is completely cured, it is paramount that you abstain from partaking in sexual activities as you can still contract the virus again – or worse, spread the infection to someone else. Additionally, it is vital to use contraceptives like condoms when having sexual intercourse to reduce the risks of getting infected with chlamydia once more.
Conclusion
Suppose you are someone who is sexually active. In that case, visiting a trusted healthcare professional for an STD screening and adopting optimal methods to safeguard your sexual health, such as wearing a condom, are imperative in warding off any potential sexual diseases. You can also rest easier knowing that you are minimising your exposure to STDs.
At Elyon Clinic, we provide confidential and comprehensive STD and HIV testing for our patients. If you suspect you may be at risk of contracting chlamydia or any other STDs, do not hesitate to contact us at 6802 7208 to book an appointment immediately.
