Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV)

Most people with lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) don't notice any symptoms and don't know they have it. So if you think you may be infected, get tested.

If you do develop symptoms, you may have:

• swollen lymph glands in the groin (on one or both sides)
• an ulcer or sore on the penis, vagina or around the anus

You may also notice some anal symptoms, such as:

• blood or pus from the anus, which you may see on your underwear or toilet paper
• pain in the anal area when you poo or have receptive anal sex
• constipation, painful straining or diarrhoea when you try to poo
• a feeling that your bowel hasn't emptied fully after pooing

If you test positive for chlamydia and your symptoms suggest you might have lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), the lab will do a further test for LGV.

The test is simple, painless and very reliable. A sample is taken from the part of the body that might be infected and sent to a lab for analysis. The result can take up to 3 weeks.

There are 2 main ways the sample can be collected:

• using a swab, where a small cotton bud is gently wiped over the area that might be infected, such as inside the vagina, throat, or inside the anus
• a urine sample, which should ideally be given at least 1 or 2 hours after you last peed

Your partner(s) from the past 3 months should also be tested for LGV.

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is treated with antibiotics.

The LGV test result can take 3 weeks to come back. Because of this, your doctor may advise you to start treatment before the final result is ready.

If LGV is left untreated, it can cause scarring and swelling of the skin. It can also cause permanent swelling of the genitals. When the infection is in the rectum, it can cause swelling and scarring too, which puts you at risk of long-term bowel problems. Rarely, the infection spreads through the bloodstream and causes inflammation of the joints or liver.

To avoid passing LGV on to your partner(s), don't have sex until both you and your partner have finished your treatment.

You can get lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) by having unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex, which means sex without a condom.

Some things may raise your risk of getting LGV:

• chemsex
• having group sex
• fisting
• sharing sex toys that aren't washed or covered with a new condom each time they're used

The best way to lower your risk of STIs is to have safer sex. That means using a condom for vaginal, anal and oral sex.

If you've been diagnosed with lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), you should get tested for all STIs, including:

• gonorrhoea
• syphilis
• HIV

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