Myths and Facts About Chlamydia in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Grand Rapids and across Michigan, especially among teens and young adults. Because it often has no symptoms, many people don’t know they have it—leading to ongoing spread and possible long-term health problems.

Below are common myths and facts about chlamydia, with information tailored for people living in Grand Rapids, MI.

What Is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. It can infect:

  • The cervix
  • Urethra (pee tube)
  • Rectum
  • Throat
  • Eyes (less common)

In Grand Rapids, chlamydia is regularly tracked by the Kent County Health Department and is one of the most frequently reported STIs, particularly in people under 25.

Myth: Chlamydia Only Affects Females

Fact: Anyone can get chlamydia—men, women, and people of any gender identity.

If you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has chlamydia (and you don’t use a condom or dental dam), you can get infected. This is true whether you live in downtown Grand Rapids, the suburbs, or anywhere in Kent County.

Myth: You Can Catch Chlamydia From a Toilet Seat

Fact: You cannot get chlamydia from toilet seats, swimming pools, hot tubs, or casual contact.

The bacteria that cause chlamydia:

  • Do not survive well outside the human body
  • Are spread mainly through sexual contact with infected genital fluids

You can only get chlamydia by having sexual contact with an infected person, usually without a barrier like a condom.

Myth: You Can’t Get Chlamydia Through Oral or Anal Sex

Fact: Chlamydia can be spread through vaginal, anal, and oral sex.

Chlamydia can infect the:

  • Throat (from oral sex)
  • Rectum (from anal sex)
  • Genital area (from vaginal sex)

Using male or female condoms and dental dams during vaginal, anal, and oral sex significantly lowers your risk of getting or spreading chlamydia.

Myth: Oral Contraception (the Pill) Protects Against Chlamydia

Fact: The birth control pill and other hormonal methods do not protect against chlamydia or any other STI.

Oral contraception (like “the pill”):

  • Helps prevent pregnancy
  • Does not block bacteria or viruses that cause STIs

To reduce your risk of chlamydia and other STIs in Grand Rapids:

  • Use male or female condoms correctly every time you have sex
  • Consider combining condoms with another form of birth control for both pregnancy and STI protection

Myth: Chlamydia Infections Cannot Be Prevented

Fact: Chlamydia is preventable with safer sex practices.

Ways to lower your risk:

  • Use condoms (male or female) for every vaginal or anal sex act
  • Use condoms or dental dams during oral sex
  • Get tested regularly, especially if you are under 25 or have new/multiple partners
  • Limit your number of sexual partners
  • Talk openly with partners about STI testing and protection

Many clinics in Grand Rapids—such as Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health, and the Kent County Health Department—offer STI counseling, testing, and prevention resources.

Myth: You Can Tell If You Have Chlamydia

Fact: Most people with chlamydia have no symptoms at all.

Chlamydia is often called a “silent” infection because you may:

  • Feel completely fine
  • Have no pain, discharge, or burning
  • Still be able to pass it to others

When symptoms do appear, they might include:

  • Pain or burning when urinating
  • Unusual vaginal or penile discharge
  • Bleeding between periods or after sex (for people with a uterus)
  • Pain during sex
  • Rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding (if rectum is infected)
  • Sore throat (if throat is infected)

Because symptoms are often mild or absent, regular STI testing is essential if you are sexually active—especially for young adults in Grand Rapids.

Myth: Chlamydia Infections Can Go Away on Their Own

Fact: Chlamydia rarely goes away completely without treatment and can cause serious damage over time.

Without proper antibiotic treatment, chlamydia can lead to:

  • Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women and people with a uterus
  • Scarring of the reproductive organs
  • Chronic pelvic pain
  • Increased risk of ectopic pregnancy
  • Infertility in both men and women

In men, untreated chlamydia can cause:

  • Pain and swelling in the testicles
  • Possible fertility problems

In Michigan’s colder months, people may delay care because they don’t feel “sick enough” to go out in bad weather. But even if you feel fine, untreated chlamydia can still be damaging. Early testing and treatment in Grand Rapids clinics can prevent long-term complications.

Myth: Getting Tested for Chlamydia Is Not Easy

Fact: Testing for chlamydia is simple, quick, and widely available in Grand Rapids.

There are two main types of tests:

  1. Urine test (urinalysis)

    • You pee into a cup
    • The sample is tested for chlamydia bacteria

  2. Swab test

    • A swab is gently taken from an area that may be infected (cervix, vagina, urethra, rectum, or throat)
    • The sample is tested in a lab

You can get tested at:

  • Primary care offices (family doctors, internal medicine)
  • OB/GYN clinics
  • Urgent care centers
  • Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health clinics
  • Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health clinics

Many locations offer low-cost or confidential STI testing, especially for teens and young adults.

Myth: Chlamydia Is Difficult to Treat

Fact: Chlamydia is usually easy to treat with antibiotics prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Treatment typically involves:

  • A single dose or short course of antibiotics
  • Avoiding sex until you and your partner(s) have completed treatment and your provider says it’s safe

Important points:

  • Take all your medication, even if you feel fine
  • Tell your recent sexual partners so they can get tested and treated
  • Do not share your antibiotics with anyone

If treatment is delayed, permanent damage to the reproductive organs can occur, including scarring that may affect fertility.

Myth: I Can Only Get Chlamydia Once

Fact: You can get chlamydia again, even if you’ve had it and been treated before.

You can be re-infected if:

  • You have sex with someone who still has chlamydia
  • A partner is not treated properly
  • You have new or multiple partners and do not use condoms

To protect yourself in Grand Rapids:

  • Make sure all partners are tested and treated
  • Use condoms every time you have sex
  • Get re-tested about 3 months after treatment, or as your provider recommends

Chlamydia in Grand Rapids: Local Considerations

Living in Grand Rapids and West Michigan, there are some local factors to keep in mind:

  • Young adult population: With many college students and young professionals, STI rates, including chlamydia, tend to be higher in the 15–24 age group.
  • Seasonal health patterns: Cold winters and less outdoor activity can mean more time indoors and potentially more sexual activity—making regular testing and condom use especially important year-round.
  • Local support: The Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health offer education, testing, and sometimes free or low-cost condoms.

How to Get Help for Chlamydia in Grand Rapids, MI

If you think you might have been exposed to chlamydia, or you’re sexually active and haven’t been tested recently:

  • Contact your primary care provider or OB/GYN
  • Visit a local health system, such as:
    • Spectrum Health
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health
    • Mercy Health
  • Reach out to the Kent County Health Department for STI testing resources and locations

Early testing, accurate information, and safer sex practices can help protect you and your partners from chlamydia and other STIs in Grand Rapids, Michigan.