Symptoms
Symptoms of chlamydia
Absence of symptoms is common. Do not wait for pain before testing after a risk. Pelvic or testicular pain with fever needs urgent in-person care, not a posted antibiotic alone.
Treatments
Chlamydia Treatment Online
Request chlamydia treatment online after a confirmed test where required. Confidential clinician review and discreet UK delivery if antibiotics are suitable.
Introduction
Treatment overview
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection that often has no symptoms. Untreated, it can cause pelvic infection, pain, and fertility problems.
We will review testing and treatment pathways in line with sexual health guidance. Many people are best served by a sexual health clinic that can test, treat partners, and arrange follow-up.
The condition
What is chlamydia?
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Many people have no symptoms, so it is often found on a test after unprotected sex or as part of a screen. Untreated, it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, testicular pain, and problems with fertility.
It is passed on through vaginal, anal or oral sex without a condom, and from a parent to a baby at birth. You can have chlamydia more than once. A negative test in the past does not protect you now.
Private Pharmacy Care will review treatment in line with UK sexual health guidance. Many people are better served by a sexual health clinic that can test, treat partners, and check for other infections. Completing a consultation does not guarantee a prescription. Always read the leaflet if antibiotics are supplied.
Causes
Causes of chlamydia infection
Chlamydia is caused by bacteria exchanged during sex. It is not caused by toilets, swimming pools or poor hygiene in the usual sense.
Products
Available products
Benefits
Benefits and uses
Antibiotics can clear chlamydia when the infection is confirmed or treated as part of an approved pathway. Partner notification is essential so it is not passed back.
Confidential discussion
Sexual health consultations are handled privately.
Guideline antibiotics when appropriate
Treatment, if supplied, follows current UK sexual health recommendations.
Partner advice
You will be told who else needs testing or treatment.
When a clinic is better
We will signpost you if examination, swabs, or HIV/syphilis testing are needed.
Eligibility
Eligibility
Treatment without a test is not always appropriate. Rectal, throat, pregnancy, and complicated infection need specialist sexual health input.
May be suitable if
- A confirmed chlamydia result, or a pathway your clinician accepts
- You can abstain or use condoms until you and partners have completed treatment as advised
- You will tell us about pregnancy, allergies, and other STIs
- You can complete the antibiotic course exactly
May not be suitable if
- Pelvic pain, testicular swelling, fever, or rectal pain — possible complicated infection
- You are pregnant unless a clinician experienced in pregnancy STI care is involved
- You need a full STI screen and examination
- Allergy to the proposed antibiotic
A clinician decides whether treatment is appropriate. Completing a consultation does not guarantee a prescription.
Start a consultation
Ready to check if Chlamydia treatment is right for you?
Start a confidential consultation. For testing and treatment now, contact a sexual health clinic or NHS 111.
- UK-registered clinician review
- Confidential online consultation
- Discreet UK delivery
How it works
How it works
Recommended antibiotics kill Chlamydia trachomatis. You must not have sex (including oral) until the course and any partner treatment interval are complete, as advised. A test of cure is needed in some groups, including pregnancy.
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Complete a consultation
Answer a short, confidential questionnaire about your symptoms, medical history and current medicines.
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Clinician review
A UK-registered clinician reviews your answers to check the treatment is safe and appropriate for you.
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Dispensing and delivery
If a prescription is issued, our pharmacy dispenses the medicine and sends it in discreet UK packaging.
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Support if you need it
Questions after you start treatment? Contact the team and we will help you with next steps.
Safety
Safety information
Untreated chlamydia can damage the reproductive tract. Do not ignore partner notification.
Severe pelvic or testicular pain needs urgent in-person care.
- Tell every recent partner so they can be tested.
- Finish the antibiotics even if you feel well.
- Consider a full STI screen — chlamydia often travels with other infections.
- Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with a medicine. This page is general information and is not a substitute for personalised clinical advice.
Side effects
Side effects
Antibiotic side effects are usually gastrointestinal. Allergy needs urgent care.
- Nausea or diarrhoea Take as directed. Seek help for severe or bloody diarrhoea.
- Abdominal cramps Mild cramps can occur; severe pelvic pain is not a normal side effect.
- Thrush Can follow antibiotics.
- Rash Stop and get advice. Breathing difficulty is an emergency.
Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with a medicine. This page is general information and is not a substitute for personalised clinical advice.
Using treatment
How to take or use the treatment
Always read the patient information leaflet and finish the antibiotic course. The steps below are general and do not replace clinic advice on test of cure.
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Take every dose at the right spacing
Swallow doxycycline with a full glass of water, upright, and avoid lying down straight after. Some products should be separated from dairy, antacids or iron.
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Do not have sex until you are told it is safe
This includes oral sex and sex with a condom in many protocols until the course and any extra waiting time are complete.
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Tell partners
Use clinic partner-notification services if you do not want to do this yourself. Untreated partners are the usual reason for “treatment failure”.
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Arrange follow-up if you are in a group that needs it
Pregnancy, rectal infection, and persisting symptoms often need a test of cure. Ask the clinician or clinic.
Safety netting
When to seek medical advice
Mild stomach upset from antibiotics is common. Severe pelvic or testicular pain is not a normal side effect of treatment — it can mean a complicated infection.
Seek urgent help (A&E) if
- Severe pelvic pain, shoulder-tip pain, dizziness, or fainting — possible complicated pelvic infection or ectopic pregnancy; go to A&E.
- A swollen, extremely painful testicle with nausea — seek emergency care (torsion or epididymo-orchitis).
- Fever, vomiting, and feeling severely unwell with abdominal pain.
- Severe allergic reaction to an antibiotic (wheeze, facial swelling, collapse) — go to A&E.
Contact a clinician or NHS 111 if
- You need testing today — use a sexual health clinic or NHS services rather than delaying a private or NHS pathway.
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding — you need a pregnancy-specific antibiotic plan.
- Symptoms continue after the course, or a partner has not been treated.
- You also need HIV, syphilis and gonorrhoea tests, or you have rectal or throat exposure.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Tap a question to see the answer. If you still need help, our team is ready to assist.
Is this service available now?
Yes. Start an online consultation. Use a sexual health clinic or NHS services now if you need testing or treatment.
Can I have sex while taking antibiotics?
Usually not until you and partners have finished treatment and any extra waiting time your clinician specifies.
Does it always cause symptoms?
No. That is why testing after unprotected sex matters.
Will it affect fertility?
Prompt treatment reduces the risk of complications. Past untreated infection can still cause problems — a clinic can advise.
Why choose us
Why choose Private Pharmacy Care?
A regulated UK pharmacy service with clinician review, discreet delivery and support if you have questions after treatment is supplied.
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UK-registered clinicians
Every request is reviewed by a UK-registered clinician before a medicine can be prescribed.
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Confidential consultations
Complete a private questionnaire from home. Your information is used to check that treatment is safe and appropriate.
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Discreet UK dispensing
If a prescription is issued, our pharmacy dispenses it and sends it in plain packaging.
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Clear safety checks
We ask about your symptoms, medical history and other medicines. Completing a form does not guarantee a prescription.
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Support after you order
Questions about side effects or how to take a medicine? Contact the team and we will help you with next steps.
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Regulated pharmacy care
Private Pharmacy Care is a UK pharmacy service. Named clinicians and public register details are listed on our clinical team page.
Sources
References and medical sources
This page is general information for UK patients. It is not a substitute for the patient information leaflet or personalised clinical advice.
- NHS: Chlamydia Patient-facing NHS guidance.
- NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries UK clinical reference used by healthcare professionals.
- Electronic Medicines Compendium (emc) UK Summaries of Product Characteristics and patient information leaflets.
- MHRA UK medicines regulator.
Check eligibility
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