Chlamydia is one of the most sexually transmitted diseases (STDs, or STIs) globally. Yet it remains widely misunderstood. It is recommended to get tested to understand the condition better and receive guidance on appropriate medication. Living with this condition can sometimes be stressful or even cause anxiety. However, do not let these mental impacts affect your overall health.

Most people assume that symptoms are always obvious or can be easily “flushed out” with home remedies. But in reality, chlamydia often presents silently, which makes regular screening critical for sexually active people.

What the claim says

According to the Cleveland Clinic, chlamydia is one of the most common STIs. You can get the STI from intercourse, anal sex or oral sex. There are many claims surrounding chlamydia. Some suggest that you can “flush it out” naturally through diet, herbal supplements or over-the-counter medications. Others claim that mild symptoms, such as slight itching or unusual discharge, always indicate an infection.

Some social media claims frequently exaggerate the ease of self-treatment, giving the impression that professional medical care is unnecessary. These ideas persist because the infection often shows mild or no symptoms in its early stages, leading some to think no intervention is needed.

According to Dr. Justus Rabach, MD, “Sometimes symptoms are almost undetectable. This leads to a lower number than the actual cases reported. In the United States, data suggest that there are more than 2.8 million cases of chlamydia annually.”

The good news is that this condition is treatable and curable. Although it does not present its symptoms early enough to be detected, it often remains unnoticeable. If you contract this STI, you must receive treatment as soon as possible. If left untreated, the infection can lead to serious complications and cause permanent damage to your reproductive organs.

What the science actually says

Medical research is clear: chlamydia requires treatment with prescription antibiotics. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), the initial damage caused often goes unnoticed. However, the infection can cause serious problems. For instance, in women, this infection can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) – an infection of the female reproductive organs, according to Mayo Clinic.

PID can lead to serious problems. It may cause scar tissue that blocks the fallopian tubes, increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy, lead to infertility and cause long-term pelvic or abdominal pain.

Some complications of PID are:

  • Formation of scar tissue that blocks the fallopian tubes.
  • Ectopic pregnancy.
  • Infertility.
  • Long-term pelvic/abdominal pain.

In men, this infection is rare but can cause health problems. However, it can cause fever and pain in the tubes attached to the testicles. In rare cases, it can lead to infertility. While healthy lifestyle habits like maintaining good nutrition and hydration support overall immune function, there is no scientific evidence that they cure chlamydia. Only antibiotics prescribed by a healthcare professional can reliably eliminate the infection.

The most effective way to prevent long-term complications from chlamydia is to get tested regularly and follow your doctor’s treatment plan.

Why the misconception exists

Many myths about chlamydia come from a few common issues. Because most people experience no symptoms, they may mistakenly believe the infection is harmless. Online misinformation can also spread false ideas about “natural cures.” Additionally, embarrassment or stigma may deter people from seeking medical attention, thereby perpetuating these myths. These factors create a false sense of security, encouraging risky behaviors and delaying necessary treatment.

The real risks

If chlamydia is not treated, it can cause serious health problems. In women, it can lead to pelvic infections, long-term pain, pregnancy complications and infertility. For men, it can cause pain and swelling in the testicles and sometimes affect fertility. In both men and women, it also makes it easier to get other STIs, including HIV.

Fortunately, chlamydia is highly treatable with antibiotics such as azithromycin or doxycycline. You and your partner must be treated simultaneously to prevent the risk of reinfection. Abstaining from sexual activity until treatment is complete is essential. Even if you feel fine, untreated chlamydia can silently damage reproductive organs. Testing is the only reliable way to know.

What are five symptoms of chlamydia?

Early-stage chlamydia infections often cause few symptoms. These are generally mild, which makes them easy to overlook; hence, regular screening is essential. Symptoms of chlamydia can include vaginal discharge, pain when urinating, discharge from the penis, pain during vaginal sex, bleeding between periods or after sex and pain in the testicles.

Depending on your sexual activity, chlamydia infection can infect your eyes, throat or rectum. According to Mayo Clinic, eye infections (conjunctivitis), cause the inside of the eyelid to be red and irritated. Early detection allows for simple treatment and prevents long-term complications.

How do you flush out chlamydia?

There is no safe or effective way to “flush out” chlamydia at home. Only prescription antibiotics can cure the infection. Drinking plenty of water, consuming certain foods or taking supplements may support general immune health, but will not eradicate the bacteria.

Attempting to self-treat chlamydia with home remedies can delay proper treatment, increase the risk of complications and spread the infection to your sexual partners.

Bottom line

Chlamydia is common, often symptomless and potentially serious if untreated. Despite myths about natural cures, antibiotics prescribed by a healthcare professional are the only effective treatment for infections. Regular testing, safe sexual practices and prompt treatment are essential for maintaining reproductive health.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can be mistaken for chlamydia?

Urinary tract infections, yeast infections or other STIs can cause similar symptoms.

What does a bad case of chlamydia look like?

Severe pelvic pain, fever, unusual discharge or swelling in the testicles may indicate advanced infection or complications.

What is the hardest STD to get rid of?

STDs caused by viruses, like herpes or HIV, are generally harder to eliminate than bacterial infections such as chlamydia.

Citations

Cleveland Clinic. Chlamydia symptoms, treatment, prevention, and complications. Cleveland Clinic. Published June 2, 2023. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4023-chlamydia

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Chlamydia. Chlamydia. Published January 31, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/chlamydia/about/index.html

Mayo Clinic. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) – symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. Published 2022. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352594

Brian. Chlamydia – The most common STD you might not know you have – WashU Medicine Physicians. WashU Medicine Physicians. Published May 26, 2016. Accessed November 30, 2025. https://physicians.wustl.edu/chlamydia-the-most-common-std-you-might-not-know-you-have/

Mayo Clinic. Pink eye (conjunctivitis) – symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. Published January 10, 2025. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pink-eye/symptoms-causes/syc-20376355