Birth Control
If you're sexually active but not quite ready to become pregnant, numerous birth control methods can help.
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) affecting about 2.86 million people in the United States annually that leads to serious health problems if left untreated. Dr. Miguel Martinez, and the skilled medical team at Femhealth Group, with offices in Miramar and Hialeah, Florida, treat chlamydia, gonorrhea, and other STDs before permanent damage occurs. Call Femhealth Group to schedule an STD screening, or book an appointment online.
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD), which means you can contract it from sexual intercourse with an infected partner. The bacteria chlamydia trachomatis causes the infection, and chlamydia is prevalent in men and women of all ages.
Approximately one out of every 20 sexually active women ages 14 to 24 has Chlamydia. Getting diagnosed and treated early prevents serious health complications — such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility — from occurring.
Many people infected with chlamydia have no symptoms, at least initially. If symptoms do occur, they usually happen 1-2 weeks after exposure to chlamydia, and might include:
Chlamydia spreads during unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sexual intercourse with an infected partner. Ejaculation doesn’t have to happen to become infected from a partner. You can get chlamydia even if you’ve been treated for it in the past.
If left untreated, chlamydia can cause numerous health complications, such as:
If you’re at risk, Dr. Martinez tests you for chlamydia and other STDs, such as gonorrhea, using a simple urine test. He may also swab your cervix during a routine Pap test.
If you test positive for chlamydia, you’ll be treated with antibiotics. You might receive a one-time dose, or take antibiotics daily for seven days. Chlamydia infections typically go away within 1-2 weeks. You’ll need to avoid sexual intercourse during this time.
The only way to avoid chlamydia is to abstain from sexual intercourse or have sex with a partner who doesn't have chlamydia. Using condoms helps prevent chlamydia infection, but doesn’t eliminate your risk entirely.
Dr. Martinez can help you determine how often to get tested for chlamydia and other STDs. If you’re sexually active with new or multiple partners and don’t use protection, you should be tested regularly. Call Femhealth Group to schedule an STD screening, or book an appointment online.