Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease that can cause serious health complications if left untreated. Highly transmittable, a chlamydia infection can become quite severe and can even cause infertility in women.
GET TESTEDChlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) and is known as a ‘silent infection’ since the majority of people who contract it have little to no symptoms.
It is diagnosed most often in people under the age of 15, but anyone can become infected. Reports vary but some studies report that around 1 in 20 sexually active young women are infected with it.
How Serious is Chlamydia?
If chlamydia goes untreated, it can result in infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which is a common cause of ectopic pregnancy and chronic pelvic pain.
If a woman contracts chlamydia, a build-up of scarring can block the fallopian tube and prevent fertilization.
And since there are often no symptoms, it is highly transmittable. Most women are not aware that they have it, so it’s very important to get regularly tested.
Symptoms
The symptoms associated with chlamydia are usually mild — if there are any symptoms at all — and can be mistaken for other health issues. For women who do experience symptoms, they often include painful sex, vaginal dryness and bleeding between periods.
Can Chlamydia Cause Infertility? Yes!
Women can become infertile if it is undiagnosed and goes untreated. Many women don’t know they’re infertile until they try to become pregnant. At that point, fertility treatments are often needed for a woman to become pregnant.
Infertility is caused by the scarring and inflammation of the reproductive tract. Among women who have chlamydia, 1 in 10 will develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which is the leading cause of infertility. While chlamydia alone does not always cause infertility, if can lead to fertility issues if not treated.
How Long Does It Take to Become Infertile From a Chlamydia Infection?
Every woman is different and it is not known how long the infection must remain in the system to cause infertility. It may take weeks to two years.
Can I Reverse Infertility Caused by Chlamydia?
Unfortunately, infertility caused by chlamydia is permanent.
Get Regular Screenings
If you are sexually active, you should get regular testing. This is particularly recommended before trying to start a family.
Can it be Cured? Yes, But Only with Early Diagnosis and Treatment
The good news is that chlamydia can be cured with early detection. It is easily treated with a short course of antibiotics, but you must be screened regularly. Make an appointment today for a sexual health screening. Call us at 770.720.7733 or schedule a confidential appointment online.
