![]() However, this is likely due to screening practices, since women are often screened during their annual pelvic exams. In the U.S., women are about twice as likely to be reported to have chlamydia as men. In 2016, almost 1.6 million cases of chlamydia were reported to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) (1). In the United States, chlamydia infection rates are on the rise, making chlamydia the most commonly reported sexually transmitted infection in the country. In people with male reproductive organs, chlamydia can cause an infection of the urethra and epididymis, the tube that collects and stores sperm from the testicles (1). Ectopic pregnancies (where a pregnancy implants outside of the uterus) are also more common, as a fertilized egg may get stuck in the damaged fallopian tube-this can be life threatening.Ĭhronic pelvic pain is also a possible long-term consequence of untreated chlamydia infections and is a symptom of PID (5). This can have long-term effects including infertility, as scar tissue can block the fallopian tubes, preventing sperm from fertilizing an egg. Once inside, the bacteria damage the ovaries and fallopian tubes, and can cause scarring (4). Chlamydia bacteria travel up the reproductive tract from the vagina through the cervix to the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes, causing inflammation and infection. What happens if chlamydia goes untreated?Ī sexually transmitted infection of chlamydia can cause an infection of the cervix, urethra, and fallopian tubes in people with female reproductive organs (2,3).Īs time progresses and an untreated chlamydia infection continues to spread, serious and long-term consequences like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy, infertility, or chronic pelvic pain may develop in individuals with female reproductive organs. Spotting/bleeding between periods or after vaginal intercourse.Some people may have very mild or vague symptoms after they are infected, which can be confused with a urinary tract infection or vaginal infection (2). Without any symptoms, people may be infected and not know it. This means that people often do not experience any discomfort or notice any changes while infected. What are chlamydia symptoms?Ĭhlamydia in women and people with female reproductive organs is often asymptomatic. ![]() Chlamydia is most commonly known for infecting body parts related to reproduction (1). Chlamydia trachomatis is a type of bacteria which can cause a number of different infections across the body. Antibiotics are used to treat chlamydia infectionsĬhlamydia is a very common sexually transmitted infection (STI).Untreated, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and/or infertility in women and people with female reproductive tracts.Chlamydia symptoms can include pus-like yellow discharge frequent or painful urination spotting between periods or after sex and/or rectal pain, bleeding, or discharge.Chlamydia is often asymptomatic, meaning that many people don’t know they have it.
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