Chlamydial urethritis is a sexually transmitted disease involving infection of the urethra (the tube that drains urine from the bladder).

Chlamydial urethritis is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis.

Chlamydia can cause a type of swelling (inflammation) of the urethra ( urethritis). Chlamydia and gonorrhea often occur together.

People who are sexually active and those with multiple sexual partners are at highest risk for chlamydia infection.

Different strains of chlamydia cause genital, eye, lymph node, and respiratory infections. A child born to a woman with a chlamydia infection of the cervix may develop an eye or lung infection.

• Difficulty urinating
  • Painful urination
  • Burning sensation during urination
• Discharge from the penis
• Redness, swelling, itching of the opening of the urethra at tip of the penis
• Swelling and tenderness of the testicles

The symptoms can appear similar to those of infection with gonorrhea, but continue even after after treatment for gonorrhea.

• Taking a sample of secretions from the penis and sending it to a lab for a culture or a test called polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
• Urethral discharge culture or genital fluid testing for gonorrhea
• Urine test

Chlamydia can be treated with a variety of antibiotics, including:

• Azithromycin
• Erythromycin
• Quinolones
• Tetracyclines

Both sexual partners must be treated for both gonorrhea and chlamydia to prevent passing the infections back and forth. Even partners without symptoms need to be treated.

Antibiotic treatment is usually successful.

Narrowing (strictures) of the urethra may occur. This may require surgery to correct.

The infection may come back (recur) if you do not take your medicine as directed, or if your sexual partners are not treated.

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of a chlamydia infection.

Screening for other sexually transmitted infections, including syphilis and HIV, is important when you've been diagnosed with a new chlamydia infection.

Having a sexual relationship with one partner (monogamous) who is not infected is one way to avoid chlamydia. The proper use of condoms during intercourse usually prevents infection.

McCormack WM. Urethritis. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 106.

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease. This article discusses chlamydia infections in women.

See also:

• Chlamydia
• Chlamydial urethritis

Chlamydia is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis.

Different strains of chlamydia cause genital, eye, lymph node, and respiratory infections.

A baby born to a woman with a chlamydia infection of the cervix may develop eye or lung infections.

Chlamydia is transmitted through sexual activity. Sexually active individuals and individuals with multiple partners are at highest risk for chlamydia infections.

• Abdominal pain
• Burning on urination
• Painful intercourse
• Vaginal discharge or bleeding after intercourse

Note: Some women with chlamydia have no symptoms at all. Only some women will have symptoms. Therefore, screening sexually active women for chlamydia is necessary to diagnose and treat the condition in women who do not have symptoms.

Diagnosing a chlamydia infection in a woman involves taking a sample of cervical secretions and sending it to a lab for an endocervical culture or a similar test called PCR.

Chlamydia infection can be diagnosed with a urine test.

Endocervical culture for gonorrhea may also be done.

Chlamydia can be treated with a variety of antibiotics, including azithromycin, tetracyclines, quinolones, and erythromycin. Erythromycin and azithromycin are safe in pregnant women.

Both sexual partners must be treated to prevent passing the infection back and forth between them, even though both may not have symptoms.

Since gonorrhea often occurs along with chlamydia, treatment for gonorrhea is often given at the same time.

Antibiotic treatment is usually successful. Reinfection may occur if you do not take your medicine as directed, or if your sexual partner is not treated.

Chlamydia infections in women may lead to inflammation of the cervix.

An untreated chlamydia infection may spread to the uterus or the fallopian tubes, causing salpingitis or pelvic inflammatory disease. These conditions can lead to infertility and increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy.

If a women has chlamydia while pregnant, it can lead to an infection in the uterus after delivery (late postpartum endometritis). In addition, the infant may develop chlamydia-related conjunctivitis (eye infection) and pneumonia.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of chlamydia occur.

All sexually active women up to age 25 should be screened yearly for chlamydia. All women with new sexual partners or multiple partners should also be screened.

A mutually monogamous sexual relationship with an uninfected partner is one way to avoid this infection. The proper use of condoms during intercourse usually prevents infection.

Stamm WE, Batteiger BE. Chlamydiatrachomatis (trachoma, perinatal infections, lymphogranuloma venereum, and other genital infections). In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 180.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for chlamydial infection: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Ann Intern Med. 2007;147:128-134.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Workowski KA, Berman SM. Diseases characterized by urethritis and cervicitis. Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines MMWR. 2006;55:35-49.