Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease in Norway, and it is estimated that approx. 15 percent of all young people between 15-25 years of age are infected. This infection almost always fails through sexual contact between two people, and this involves all forms of intercourse – vaginally, orally and anal. The latter pathway causes chlamydia in the rectum, which can be a very uncomfortable experience if it gives symptoms.
Who gets anal chlamydia?
Basically, everyone can get chlamydia in anus as long as they are the receiving party in an act of anal sex. This can be, in principle, anybody, but this form of chlamydia infection has the highest incidence in environments where men have sex with men. However, heterosexual women often come to the doctor’s office and complain about the discomfort of the rectum, but this does not necessarily mean that they were infected through anal sex. Despite the fact that anal chlamydia often infects anal sex, sometimes it happens that a genital chlamydia infection infects anus without any obvious reason.
What signs and symptoms do chlamydia present in the anus?
Chlamydia in anus will usually give less pronounced ailments than a genital infection, and this also makes it more difficult to detect. The most common ailments that people with endometrial infection complain about are pain, itching and discomfort in the anus and rectum (proctitis). It is also common for the infected to get anal outflow, which can sometimes be soiled with blood. Either way, it is more common not to notice anything like the disease, since anal chlamydia, as in most cases, does not produce any kind of symptoms or ailments. This is also the creepy part because untreated infection with chlamydia, wherever it is, can spread serious complications if it is not detected on time.
What is common treatment for chlamydia in the rectum?
There is no difference in treatment for chlamydia in the anus, throat or genitals, and it will always be based on antibiotics. It is common that you choose to use tetracyclines for 7 days, and during this period it is important to refrain from sex completely.
How do you prevent rectal chlamydia?
The most effective way to prevent infection with chlamydia is by using condoms every time you have intercourse while keeping the number of unknown sex partners to a minimum. It is also important to test yourself regularly if you are in the risk group, and this can be done with a chlamydia home test. This test can only be used to detect infection in the genitals, so you will have to go to the doctor if you suspect chlamydia in the anus.