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Treatment of chlamydia infections

by — Last updated: 2017-03-07 in Women's Health

Table of Contents

Chlamydia is a bacterium that causes one of the most common sexually transmitted infections or STDs in people worldwide. About four million cases of Chlamydia occur in the United States alone each year.


Since it is a bacterial infection doctors treat chlamydia with prescription antibiotics such as:

  • Azithromycin (Zithromax®)
  • Erythromycin
  • Tetracycline
  • Doxycycline

Research has shown that, if detected and treated on time, the infection should resolve within one to two weeks. Both sexual partners need treatment even though they may not have signs or symptoms. 

Women whose sex partners have not been appropriately treated are at high risk for re-infection. Having multiple infections increases a woman's risk of serious reproductive health complications, including infertility.

Prevention of Chlamydia infection

There are things you can do to lower your risk for getting chlamydia:

Don’t have sex
The best way to prevent chlamydia or any STD is to practice abstinence, or not having vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

Be faithful
Having a sexual relationship with only one partner who has been tested for chlamydia and is not infected is another way to reduce your chances of getting infected. Be faithful to each other, meaning that you only have sex with each other and no one else.

Use condoms
Condoms can lower the risk of passing chlamydia, so protect yourself with a condom EVERY time you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Condoms should be used for any type of sex with every partner. For vaginal sex, use a latex male condom or a female polyurethane condom. For anal sex, use a latex male condom. For oral sex, use a dental dam. A dental dam is a rubbery material that can be placed over the anus or the vagina before sexual contact.

Learn about other contraceptive methods
Know that some methods of birth control, like birth control pills, shots, implants, or diaphragms, will not protect you from STDs. If you use one of these methods, be sure to also use a latex condom or dental dam (used for oral sex) correctly every time you have sex.

Learn the symptoms of chlamydia
Beside this, you should remember that chlamydia often has no symptoms.

Get regular screenings for sexually transmitted diseases
 If you're sexually active, particularly if you have multiple partners, talk with your doctor about how often you should be screened for chlamydia and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Stop douching
Women shouldn't use douche because it decreases the number of good bacteria present in the vagina, which may increase the risk of infection.