In 2017, more than 577,000 men had chlamydia, that is 33.9% more than all infected in 2013. From 2016 to 2017, the number of infected increased by 10.5% and is only expected to grow every year. That’s exactly what makes this STI infection one of the most common and prevalent infections on the globe.
But, there is one major problem, from 25% to 50% of men have no clue they are infected, so they will unknowingly transmit the infection to their sexual partner. The reason for that is relatively simple: this tiny bacteria we know as chlamydia may not show any recognizable symptoms. This makes it incredibly difficult for both men and women alike to figure out if they have an infection or not.
Here, we will shed some light on this infection and show you how to tell if a man has chlamydia. Let’s take a look at all the warning signs of this infection.
Common Signs Typical In Men With Chlamydia
One of the hardest symptoms to spot is chlamydia signs. They are often so random and infrequent that they make them incredibly misleading. As a result, most men will ignore the signs and believe they don’t have the infection. That’s why it’s important to list all the signs to be able to recognize them.
Typical chlamydia signs in men include:
- Tenderness, inflammation, or pain around and in the testicles
- Watery, cloudy, or white discharge from the penis
- Painful or uncomfortable urination
- Bleeding from the sensitive areas
- Rectal pain
- Infected eyes (conjunctivitis)
- Throat infection
Is It Possible to Spot Chlamydia in Pictures?
Most people often wonder if they can recognize the signs of chlamydia from pictures and whether or not this infection has any visible signs. Unfortunately, the answer is no. It’s impossible to tell if a man is infected with chlamydia just by looking at a picture.
While it is possible to spot an irritated or swollen area, these signs could be caused by any other infection. To be 100% sure a man is infected, he needs to get a chlamydia test; there is no other way.
Can I Mistake the Visible Signs for Another Infection?
Yes, with chlamydia, it’s very easy to find these symptoms misleading. The problem is that the bacteria will take time to affect the system, and until 1 to 3 weeks after you’ve been exposed, you might start to experience the symptoms. So, there is a high chance that the symptoms you are experiencing are caused by a different infection.
Is a Physical Examination Enough to Figure Out if a Man Is Infected?
No, a physical examination is not enough for your doctor to determine whether or not you are infected. To get a proper diagnosis, testing is crucial.
Does Discharge in Men Mean They Are Infected?
The presence of watery, cloudy, or white discharge is the main concern for many men and is often the primary sign of chlamydia. However, if a man has a discharge, it doesn’t mean he is infected with chlamydia. There are other infections that cause the same symptoms as:
- genital herpes
- gonorrhea
- mycoplasma genitalium
- urinary tract infection
- ureaplasma
Because of how misleading discharge can be, it’s important to get tested to make sure the sign is not caused by anything else other than chlamydia.
How Do Men Get Tested for Chlamydia?
A doctor will perform a number of tests to make sure if a man carries the infection. The first test starts with a urine sample. When the patient provides the urine sample, the sample will then be taken to the lab to examine if the bacteria is present in the urine.
For more results, the doctor can take a urethral discharge swab to rule out any infections like syphilis or gonorrhea. Since these STIs have similar symptoms with chlamydia, it’s easy to misjudge them. With a swab test, the doctor will determine which infection has manifested in the system. See our Chlamydia Test in the webshop.
The way a swab is taken in males is by inserting a very thin and sterile cotton swab into the urethra (this is the small opening on the tip of the penis). All the fluids and discharge collected will be taken for further analysis.
How Do Men Get Treated for Chlamydia?
Men infected with chlamydia will receive a prescribed drug, usually called doxycycline. This antibiotic is most typically used for treating chlamydia. However, if the patient is allergic to any of the ingredients in this antibiotic, they will receive a different one with similar potency. The antibiotics used for treatment can only be prescribed by your doctor.
Why Don’t Doctors Use Azithromycin Anymore?
Since 2018, the British Association announced that Azithromycin doesn’t produce any effective results in managing or treating chlamydia. The bacteria have become more resistant to this medication, which is why this antibiotic no longer creates any effective results. Doxycycline, on the other hand, has all the potency needed for treating the infection and is now the go-to choice for many doctors.
How to Stop the Spread of Infection?
The risk of contracting and transmitting chlamydia is very high, so any precautions you can take will prove a valuable asset to your sexual health. To stop the spread of the infection, you should:
- Use condoms during intercourse
- Suggest to your partner that you both get tested for STIs before having unprotected sex
- Cover all the sex toys you share with your partner with condoms
Chlamydia is a serious issue for men. The problem is that most men don’t experience any signs, and that is typical for those infected. If you haven’t used a condom while having intercourse with multiple partners, it’s important to get tested. That way, you can avoid any unwanted complications and treat the infection on time.
References
https://www.cdc.gov/std/stats17/chlamydia.htm
https://www.zavamed.com/uk/chlamydia-symptoms-in-men.html
https://www.healthline.com/health/std/chlamydial-urethritis-male#causes