Does Chlamydia Affect Fertility In Women
Untreated chlamydia can lead to infertility in women as a result of complications like pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID. According to some estimates, PID due to untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea infections causes infertility in 10-40% of women. Thatâs one key reason why early detection and treatment of these STIs is important for protecting your health.
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References
1. Chlamydia trachomatis. Mayo Clinic. URL. Accessed February 3, 2020.
2. Chlamydia – CDC Fact Sheet Basic Fact Sheet | Detailed Version. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. URL. Accessed February 3, 2020.
3. Mohseni M, Sung S, Takov V. Chlamydia. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island : StatPearls Publishing 2020.
4. Which STD Tests Should I Get? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. URL. Accessed February 3, 2020.
5. Pelvic inflammatory disease . Mayo Clinic. URL. Accessed February 3, 2020.
6. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease – CDC Fact Sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. URL. Accessed February 3, 2020.
7. Mummert T, Gnugnoli DM. Ectopic Pregnancy. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island : StatPearls Publishing 2020.
8. Ectopic pregnancy. Mayo Clinic. URL. Accessed February 3, 2020.
11. Gonorrhea – CDC Fact Sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. URL. Accessed February 3, 2020.
Will I Have An Orgasm
When you and your partner are figuring out how to have sex for the first time, you might believe that it will be as magical as it is often depicted in the movies. However, its possible that your first time wont be nearly as smooth or well choreographed.
For many people, their first time is an awkward and somewhat uncomfortable affair. On top of that, both of you might be nervous. Under circumstances like these, it can be difficult to achieve an orgasm. This is perfectly normal. In fact, sex without orgasm can be quite enjoyable and might be a good way for you and your partner to connect further.
Chlamydia Is Only Contagious From Person To Person
You can only get chlamydia by having intimate sexual contact with an infected person, not from casual contact, touching another persons clothing, or consuming contaminated food or water.
The chlamydia organism lives only in human cells and cannot be transmitted by external contact, such as towels or toilet seats, Schaffir says.
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Can Chlamydia Be Prevented
The only sure way to prevent chlamydia is to not have vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading chlamydia. If your or your partner is allergic to latex, you can use polyurethane condoms.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
How Do I Know If I Have Genital Herpes
Most people who have genital herpes have no symptoms, or have very mild symptoms. You may not notice mild symptoms or you may mistake them for another skin condition, such as a pimple or ingrown hair. Because of this, most people who have herpes do not know it.
Herpes sores usually appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals, rectum or mouth. The blisters break and leave painful sores that may take a week or more to heal. These symptoms are sometimes called having an outbreak. The first time someone has an outbreak they may also have flu-like symptoms such as fever, body aches, or swollen glands.
People who experience an initial outbreak of herpes can have repeated outbreaks, especially if they are infected with HSV-2. Repeat outbreaks are usually shorter and less severe than the first outbreak. Although the infection stays in the body for the rest of your life, the number of outbreaks may decrease over time.
You should be examined by your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms or if your partner has an STD or symptoms of an STD. STD symptoms can include an unusual sore, a smelly genital discharge, burning when urinating, or bleeding between periods.
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How To Help Partners Get Treatment
If you are not sure whether your sexual partner will seek treatment, ask your doctor for extra chlamydia medication . You can give it to them so they can be treated as soon as possible.
This is known as patient delivered partner therapy for chlamydia. Talk to your doctor to see if PDPT is right for you and your sexual partner.
Are There Complications Of Chlamydia
Chlamydia can cause serious complications if it isnt treated promptly and properly.
Untreated chlamydia can trigger arthritis, skin rashes, and inflammation in the eye or rectum.
For women, chlamydia can spread into the uterus and the fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease . This can cause problems with pregnancy, such as ectopic pregnancy. Women with untreated chlamydia have up to a 1 in 12 chance of becoming infertile. In men, chlamydia can spread to the testicles and the tubes that carry sperm, causing pain and fertility problems.
Pregnant women who are infected with chlamydia have a higher chance of miscarriage or premature birth. Their babies may also get an eye or lung infection. You can read more about chlamydia and pregnancy here.
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How Can I Prevent The Spread Of Chlamydia And Other Stis
Ask your healthcare provider for more information about the following safe sex practices:
- Use a male or female condom during sex. This includes oral, genital, or anal sex. Use a new condom each time. Condoms help prevent pregnancy and STIs. Use latex condoms, if possible. Lambskin condoms do not protect against STIs. A polyurethane condom can be used if you or your partner is allergic to latex. Condoms should be used with a second form of birth control to help prevent pregnancy and STIs. Do not use male and female condoms together. Ask for more information about the correct way to use condoms.
- Limit your number of sex partners. This will help lower your risk for chlamydia and other STIs.
- Do not have sex with someone who has an STI. This includes oral, vaginal, and anal sex.
- Do not have sex while you or your partner are being treated. Ask when it is safe to have sex.
- Ask about medicines to lower your risk for some STIs:
- Vaccines can help protect you from hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and the human papillomavirus . The HPV vaccine is usually given at 11 years, but it may be given through 26 years to both females and males. Your provider can give you more information on vaccines to prevent STIs.
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis may be given if you are at high risk for HIV. PrEP is taken every day to prevent the virus from fully infecting the body.
What Problems Can Happen
If it’s not treated, chlamydia can lead to:
- in girls: pelvic inflammatory disease , which can damage the reproductive system, making it hard or impossible for a woman to get pregnant later on
- in guys: swelling in the testicles and tubes at the back of the testicles, possibly preventing a man from fathering kids later on
- joint problems
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What If Im Nervous About Getting The Vaccine
Youre not alone. Historically, the introduction of every new vaccine has been met with nervousness, panic, paranoia, conspiracy theory, and a lack of faith in the effectiveness of the vaccine, says Ramin Ahmadi, MD, MPH, chief medical officer for Graduate Medical Education Global LLC and a former assistant professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine. This skepticism is why the history of vaccines is highlighted by scientists and doctors who vaccinated themselves and their children with their own discovery. Vaccines have saved us throughout our modern history from many deadly diseases and will continue to do that.
Experts say its good to be cautious but urge everyone to look at all the data we haveand the harm that rumors and misinformation can do. We absolutely need to be cautious with any new vaccine or medication, says Dr. Shahine. I value the process of evidence-based science and medicine, meaning: You do not accept a statement as truth without understanding, research, and questioning until proof is apparent.
What Are Chlamydia Symptoms In Men
There will often be no symptoms of chlamydia in men, with only around half of those infected noticing any signs. If there are symptoms, these will usually develop around one to three weeks following infection. Common signs of the STD include:
- Pain or a burning sensation whilst urinating
- A cloudy white discharge from the tip of the penis
- Urethritis, which is characterised by pain or itching within the urethra
- Testicular pain or soreness
These initial symptoms may disappear after a couple of weeks, which often leads people to forget they may be infected. Even when symptoms disappear chlamydia will remain in your body and can be passed on during unprotected sex until you receive effective treatment.
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How Long Does An Hpv Infection Last
For most people go away on their own in the course of about two years and dont require any special treatment, says Braaten. This includes both high- and low-risk types. But the status of a womans immune system can determine whether shell clear the virus or not, she says.
Other lifestyle factors may impact HPV infection. Theres a concern that smoking is related to persistence of infection, too, Ramondetta says.
Can Men Catch Chlamydia Through Oral Sex
Whether performing oral sex on a man or a woman, chlamydia can be transmitted through oral sex. In these instances chlamydia will usually cause an infection of the throat. This may cause symptoms including a sore throat, fever or a cold. Its also possible that someone can be infected within the throat without noticing any symptoms at all.
Although less common, you can also catch chlamydia if you receive oral sex from an infected individual. The symptoms in these instances would be exactly the same as if you caught it through vaginal sex.
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How Prevalent Is It Is There A Way To Avoid It
According to the World Health Organization , 500 million new cases of one of four curable STIs occur each year worldwide.
As per an India-specific, 2017 report, India is home to the worlds greatest burden of infectious diseases, yet information on prevalence rates of chlamydia is scarce. A compilation of 27 small studies on the infection in India suggests it is most prevalent among young women . However, its prevalence among both genders varies greatly depending on region, and with the sparse data available, a population-wide figure is impossible to arrive at.
Anyone who has sex with someone with a chlamydia infection can catch chlamydia. The risk is greatest for those who have a new sexual partner and dont use condoms. Using condoms or dental dams are the best preventative methods, though they are not guarantees against the infection.
Specific Stds: An Overview
Human Papilloma Virus: The human papilloma virus is thought to be one of the main causes of cervical cancer. It has also been linked with other types of cancers of the female reproductive system. While HPV can be treated to reduce the signs and symptoms, there is currently no cure for this virus. However, the HPV vaccine has recently been developed to prevent HPV infection. Also learn more about genital wart treatment.
Herpes Virus:Herpes is another STD that presently has no cure. Or is there a cure for Herpes? Today, treatment is available and there are a number of things you can do yourself at home to help relieve your genital herpes, as well as natural herpes treatment. Herpes symptoms include blisters or sores that periodically break out on the genitals. Take a look at our FAQs on genital herpes to learn even more about this uncomfortable STD.
Hepatitis: Although there is no cure for those already infected, there is now a Hepatitis B vaccine available to prevent the spread of this infection. Many are asymptomatic, however those who do suffer from Hepatitis B symptoms may have many unpleasant discomforts. Even though there is a possibility that the infection will clear up on its own, some people suffer from chronic infections for many years. Treatment is available for chronic sufferers. Other types of hepatitis infections that can be passed through sexual contact include Hepatitis A and Hepatitis C.
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Im Pregnant How Could Genital Herpes Affect My Baby
If you are pregnant and have genital herpes, it is very important for you to go to prenatal care visits. Tell your doctor if you have ever had symptoms of, or have been diagnosed with, genital herpes. Also tell your doctor if you have ever been exposed to genital herpes. There is some research that suggests that genital herpes infection may lead to miscarriage, or could make it more likely for you to deliver your baby too early.
Herpes infection can be passed from you to your unborn child before birth but is more commonly passed to your infant during delivery. This can lead to a potentially deadly infection in your baby . It is important that you avoid getting herpes during pregnancy. If you are pregnant and have genital herpes, you may be offered anti-herpes medicine towards the end of your pregnancy. This medicine may reduce your risk of having signs or symptoms of genital herpes at the time of delivery. At the time of delivery, your doctor should carefully examine you for herpes sores. If you have herpes symptoms at delivery, a C-section is usually performed.
Can Syphilis Be Cured
Is there a cure for syphilis? Yes, and especially when the infection is caught in the first two stages. In the later, latent stages, the infection can still be cured, but any internal damage it has done is permanent. Until a doctor pronounces you cured and the treatment complete, avoid having sex, as you might still be able to pass on the infection.
Even once cured, however, its still possible to contract syphilis again exposure to the disease once does not prompt immunity to it going forward.
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How Do I Test For Chlamydia
You can get tested for chlamydia even if you dont have any symptoms.
Getting tested for chlamydia is easy and doesnt hurt. A healthcare professional will ask for a urine sample and/or take a swab from the area that might be infected. This is usually the lower part of the womb or the vagina for women, and the tip of the penis for men. If youve had anal or oral sex, you may have a swab taken from your anus or throat.
In some countries you can get a self-testing kit to do at home.
If you test positive for chlamydia, its important to tell any recent sexual partner/s so they can also get tested, and treated if necessary. If you need advice about how to do this, speak to your healthcare professional. You should also test for other STIs.
Chlamydia Can Lead To Infertility
A lot of us don’t realize that some sexually transmitted diseases can cause no symptoms, meaning you could have an STD and not know it. And some STDs can silently lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancy, or chronic pelvic pain.
Chlamydia is one of those diseases. CDC estimates that more than 2.8 million people are infected each year.
Chlamydia is most common in sexually active young adults. More than half of all infections involve people ages 18 to 24. You can get chlamydia during oral, vaginal, or anal sexual contact with an infected partner. The disease can cause penile discharge in men and infertility in women. It can also cause serious health problems in newborn babies of infected mothers.
Many women, and some men, are infected with chlamydia but don’t know it. Even without symptoms, the disease can cause complications, particularly infertility. The longer the infection is untreated, the more damage that can be done.
If symptoms do show up, they usually occur within weeks of exposure. Men and women may face painful urination, an abnormal discharge from the urethra, or both. Women also may have abdominal pain, bleeding, and an abnormal discharge from the vagina. Symptoms usually appear within one to three weeks after being infected and may be very mild.
In pregnant women, chlamydia can cause premature delivery, the CDC says. A child born to an infected woman can develop an infection in their eyes and respiratory tracts.
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How Is Chlamydia Treated
Chlamydia can be easily treated with a short course of antibiotics. You may be able to take all the antibiotics in one day, or over a week, depending on the type of treatment you are prescribed.
Its important to not have sex until you and your current sexual partner/s have finished treatment. If youve had the one-day course of treatment, you should avoid having sex for seven days afterwards. Ask your healthcare professional when its safe to have sex again.
Remember that if youve been treated for chlamydia you are not immune and you can get infected again.
What Are The Symptoms Of Syphilis
This STI is known as the great pretender, as the signs of syphilis often mimic other, less serious infections and often go unnoticed. But the disease follows a distinct progression, with the same signs and symptoms of syphilis for men and women .
Syphilis usually presents in four stages. In the first stage, one or more small, painless sores called chancres may appear around the mouth, anus, rectum, vagina or penis . These sores will heal on their own, without treatment, but that doesnt mean the infection has healed. The development of chancres usually occurs anywhere from 10 to 90 days post-intercourse with an infected person .
If untreated, syphilis progresses to the second stage, which can include signs like: a reddish-brown rash on the extremities, especially the palms and soles of the feet, hair loss and general flu-feeling . These symptoms, too, will resolve on their own, but that doesnt mean the infection has healed.
Instead, the bacteria enters the third, or latent phase: when there are no obvious symptoms of the disease, but the infection is going to work internally, damaging the circulatory, nervous and skeletal systems. Some effects of untreated syphilis may also damage fertility. This phase can last for years, if untreated, and will ultimately lead to the last or late stage of syphilis, potentially characterized by cardiovascular problems, poor muscle control, numbness, poor vision, dementia and, eventually, death.
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