8 Chlamydia Symptoms in Men

Chlamydia is a gram-negative bacterium responsible for most of the sexually transmitted infections in the U.S. Although the rate of this infection is higher in women, it is also very prevalent in men. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) statistics, in 2015 the rate of Chlamydia infection in men was 305.2 per 100,000 males, which has increased every year since then. However, it is important to know that many experts consider that the lower rate of Chlamydia infection in men compared to women is due to the fact that women are properly diagnosed with this infection with more frequency than men. In other terms, many men never feel symptoms, so they don’t know they have the disease and they don’t visit a doctor. The most common symptoms of chlamydia in men include: 1. Abnormal discharge from the tip of the penis. In men, it is not usual to have a discharge from the penis. So, even small amounts of a clear discharge must be considered abnormal and you must visit a doctor as soon as possible. In some cases, the discharge can be cloudy, yellow-white, or even milky. If the discharge is smelly, it may indicate that the patient either has chlamydia, another STI or infection, and must see a doctor for treatment. More symptoms on next page... 2. Burning or itching in the urethra. This symptom is very similar to cystitis or urinary infection. As the urethra is longer in men than it is in women, the discomfort and the pain tend to be more severe in men. Likewise, as the male urethra carries both urine and sexual secretions, it is easier to get chlamydia and for this infection to present other complications such as a urinary tract infection. This symptom is more common in men than in women. 3. Discomfort during ejaculation. Although men usually don’t experience pain during the sex as women do, they may feel an intense pain while ejaculating. This severe pain is due to the infection of the epididymis, urethra, or even testicles, that contract during ejaculation. The irritation of the urethra may also increase in pain when semen is being expulsed from the penis. 4. Asymptomatic. Although it may sound contradictory, the most common symptom of chlamydia infection in men is not having symptoms at all. A man with this condition is medically called an "asymptomatic carrier". The problem of this condition is that neither the patient nor his sexual partner may notice the infection and it is transmitted from one to another without noticing. Another important problem of this condition is that if the infection is not treated, the patient may be an asymptomatic carrier for years and can infect all their sexual partners during that time. More importantly, if the man is not properly diagnosed and treated for this infection, he may develop subsequent infections in the genitourinary system, which can be severe. Many experts and international organizations recommend to treat the couple when a person is diagnosed with STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) to reduce the alarming rate of this infection. 5. Testicular pain and swelling. This symptom is rare, but occurs in more severe or propagated infections. The testicles are usually affected by contiguity and you may need treatment with antibiotics to avoid severe complications like sterility. Likewise, the scrotum (bag of skin that covers the testicles) may be red and swollen, so the patient will refer pain and sensitivity to any contact. If this condition is not treated in time, the patient may develop orquiepididimitis, which is a more severe condition because it affects the glands that produce the sperm. 6. Rectal pain, discharge and bleeding. Rectal inflammation occurs due to the spread of chlamydia infection to the adjacent areas. Men can also experience severe pain which is not related to defecation and, in some cases, may have a milky discharge or even bleeding. 7. Conjunctivitis. In men, it may be common to have chlamydia spread beyond the genitourinary system. The eyes are one of the most commonly damaged organs. Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the conjunctiva or the mucous membrane covering the front of the ocular globe. So, the eyes become red with itching and, in some cases, serous or purulent discharge. 8. Throat infection. Besides the eyes, the throat may also be affected by chlamydia infection. The man refers throat irritation and pain to swallow. Although conjunctivitis and throat infection are uncommon and non-specific symptoms, when associated with genitourinary symptoms it usually means a chlamydia infection. It is important to know that none of these symptoms are specific to a chlamydia infection, so the infected person must visit a doctor to have a proper diagnosis performed and to establish the best treatment for each case. The best way to prevent chlamydia and other STIs is avoiding unprotected sex, especially if the person is not a current partner. Find out more about Chlamydia Symptoms in Women here

6. Rectal pain, discharge and bleeding

7. Conjunctivitis

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