Chlamydia And Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease, better known as PID, is a bacterial infection of the womb and/or fallopian tubes. Itâs often caused by chlamydia and it causes chlamydia related infertility in women as described above.
The most common symptoms of PID in women are:
- abdominal vaginal bleeding .
- lower back pain
Some women become ill over the course of just a few days, but the infection can also occur slowly, . PID is very common in the UK, with around 1 in 50 women developing it each year. Itâs most prevalent among the 15 â 24 age group and a womanâs chances of developing PID are much higher if she has contracted an STI such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea.
The treatment for PID is a two week course of antibiotics. In serious cases, a stay in hospital may be needed.
Chlamydia is transmitted primarily through sexual activity. The following are the most common ways:
- unprotected intercourse with an infected partner
- sharing sex toys
- from mother to the newborn during vaginal childbirth through the infected birth channel
- infection can be transferred on fingers from the genitals to other parts of the body
Chlamydia is not contracted through simple kissing, handshaking, any casual contacts, sharing baths, towels and cups as well as from toilet seats.
Chlamydia trachomatis, an obligate intracellular human pathogen, is one of four bacterial species in the genus Chlamydia. 3D illustration
What Happens If You Have Chlamydia For Too Long
More than 95 percent of those who follow their treatment regimens will be cured. Any symptoms you have may improve in as quickly as a few days and most will be free of the infection within a week. Three months after treatment you should be retested to make sure the treatment worked and that you werent re-infected by a partner who wasnt adequately treated.
If left untreated, chlamydia in women can spread to the fallopian tubes and uterus, potentially causing pelvic inflammatory disease. Although typically asymptomatic, pelvic inflammatory disease can cause abdominal pain and potentially cause permanent damage to the reproductive system. In some instances, this can lead to infertility or increase a womans chances of an ectopic pregnancy.
In men, untreated chlamydia symptoms do not necessarily indicate additional health problems, but in extreme cases, it can cause extreme pain and the infection can even cause infertility.
Symptoms Of Chlamydia And Gonorrhea
Once in a while somebody with gonorrhea or chlamydia doesnt show any side effects.
Truth be told, 75% of ladies and half of men with chlamydia show no side effects.
It is muddled how basic it is with gonorrhea, yet a few evaluations are that most of people show no side effects.
Indeed, even without any side effects, it is as yet conceivable to transmit the illness and harm the reproductive system. The key indications of gonorrhea and chlamydia can show up inside one to three weeks in the wake of engaging in sexual relations with a cooperate with the STD.
There are a few contrasts in how both STDs present in men versus ladies, yet all in all the most widely recognized revealed indications in the two people are:
Men can likewise have a more uncommon indication of expanding or agony in either or the two balls. Both can contaminate one or the two eyes causing release, conjunctivitis , or affectability to light. Both can likewise spread or contaminate the rear-end causing:
Gonorrhea and chlamydia can likewise display mellow side effects, driving a few ladies to accept they have a yeast disease and self-treat with over the counter prescription.
Hence, it is imperative to counsel a specialist to guarantee you get an appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Chlamydia is usually passed on through unprotected vaginal, or oral sex.
Don’t Miss: Is Chlamydia A Big Deal
Top Things To Know About Chlamydia:
- Chlamydia is often asymptomatic, meaning that many people donât know they have it
- 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
- Untreated, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and/or infertility in women and people with female reproductive tracts
- Antibiotics are used to treat chlamydia infections
Possible Symptoms In Boys And Men
A chlamydia infection is more noticeable in boys and men who have sex with female partners. These males often have infections in the urethra, the tube through which urine leaves the body. They will usually have pain or some discharge or irritation when they urinate, so theyre more likely to go get treatment, says Dr. Dombrowski.
But for boys having sex with other boys, infection in the rectum is most common and that almost never causes symptoms, she says.
More frequent chlamydia symptoms in boy and men include the followings:
- Pain or swelling of the testicles
- Inflammation of the rectum
- A burning or painful feeling when you urinate, because of inflammation of the urethra
- Inflammation of the eyelid
- Infections in your mouth and throat that cause soreness and redness, though most oral infections cause no symptoms
Recommended Reading: How Do You Get Chlamydia In Your Eye
How Do You Get Chlamydia
Chlamydia is usually passed on through unprotected vaginal, or oral sex.
Chlamydia cant be passed on through kissing, hugging, sharing towels or using the same toilet as someone with the infection.
To help women protect themselves against this common type of sexually transmitted disease , Flo has prepared a guide that explains the basics of chlamydia.
STDs are infections that are transmitted from one person to another via sexual contact. Today, there are over 20 types of STDs and chlamydia is one of them.
Whether you suspect that you might have it or want to educate yourself, let this guide help you find all the answers you were looking for.
How Can I Protect Myself From Chlamydia
Its not always possible to know if a current or potential partner has chlamydia, though, especially since many people with chlamydia never notice symptoms. With prevention in mind, its a good idea to make safer sex practices a regular part of your sex life:
- Dont share sex toys, but if you do, wash them after each use and cover toys used for penetration with a condom.
- Have sex with only one partner, who only has sex with you.
Also Check: What Antibiotics Are Used To Cure Chlamydia
How Can I Reduce My Risk Of Getting Chlamydia
If you are sexually active, you can do the following things to lower your chances of getting chlamydia:
- Be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and has negative STD test results
- Use latex condoms the right way every time you have sex.
Recommended Reading: Does Having Chlamydia Make You Infertile
Could You Catch Chlamydia From A Toilet Seat
The simple answer to this question is No. The Chlamydia is caused by Chlamydia Trachomatis bacteria and this cannot live outside the human body. So, it is not possible for the Chlamydia bacteria to be spread through the toilet seats.
However, you always have to be careful while using restrooms in public places and you have to clean them well before using them.
Also Check: How Quickly Do Symptoms Of Chlamydia Appear
Preventing The Spread Of Infection
It is absolutely necessary to inform the partner if you get a positive test for Chlamydia. The sooner the partner is told the more effective and simple the treatment can be. Make sure your partner gets tested and receives the treatment as well and abstain from the intercourse until the treatment of both you and the partner is finished.
Facts On Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Sexually transmitted diseases are infections that can be transferred from one person to another through any type of sexual contact. STDs are sometimes referred to as sexually transmitted infections since they involve the transmission of a disease-causing organism from one person to another during sexual activity. It is important to realize that sexual contact includes more than just sexual intercourse . Sexual contact includes kissing, oral-genital contact, and the use of sexual âtoys,â such as vibrators. STDs probably have been around for thousands of years, but the most dangerous of these conditions, the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , has only been recognized since 1984.
Many STDs are treatable, but effective cures are lacking for others, such as HIV, HPV, and hepatitis B and C. Even gonorrhea, once easily cured, has become resistant to many of the older traditional antibiotics. Many STDs can be present in, and spread by, people who do not have any symptoms of the condition and have not yet been diagnosed with an STD. Therefore, public awareness and education about these infections and the methods of preventing them is important.
Chlamydia is very destructive to the Fallopian tubes. It can also cause severe pelvic infection. If untreated, some women with chlamydia will develop pelvic inflammatory disease. Symptoms of pelvic infection include:
Also Check: How To Get Treated For Chlamydia Without Insurance
Recommended Reading: Can Chlamydia Feel Like A Uti
Chlamydia And Gonorrhea Often Go Together
People with one of these STDs frequently have the other as well. They often go together,” says Dombrowski, They have many of the same risk factors and they are spread the same way.
In fact, she says, chlamydia was actually first discovered when people who had gonorrhea were treated but still had symptoms.
If you test positive for chlamydia, your healthcare provider is likely to also recommend that you be treated for gonorrhea. This is because the cost of treating gonorrhea is less than the cost of testing for the infection.
When Do Symptoms Start
Symptoms do not always appear with chlamydia. If you do get symptoms, these usually start to show between 1 and 3 weeks after you had unprotected sex with an infected partner. For some people, chlamydia symptoms don’t develop until many months later. Other people may only notice symptoms if the infection spreads to other areas of their body.
Also Check: How To Know Chlamydia Is Gone
What Does Chlamydia Feel Like
In women, chlamydia usually infects the cervix first, causing cervicitis or inflammation of the cervix. Cervicitis can cause feelings of pain, irritation, or a vaginal discharge. Chlamydia bacteria can also irritate the urethrain both men and womenleading to urethritis, which is often signified by pain while urinating. In men, untreated chlamydia can also cause epididymitis, swelling in the tube in the back of the testicles, causing pain.
How Is Chlamydia Diagnosed
The most common test for chlamydia is called a nucleic acid amplification test . Your provider takes a sample of fluid by doing a vaginal/cervical swab or collecting a urine sample. Then, they send the sample off to a lab to check for the bacteria that causes chlamydia. Your provider may do the test in an office, or they may ask you to do an at-home chlamydia test. Follow your providers instructions carefully to ensure you get accurate test results.
Because most chlamydia cases are asymptomatic, its important to get screened for chlamydia even if you dont notice any signs of infection. The CDC recommends that sexually active cisgender women who are high-risk for chlamydia get screened regularly. Women, more so than men, experience the most severe complications from chlamydia. Transgender men and nonbinary individuals with vaginas should be screened regularly, too, as they can experience the same complications of chlamydia.
Youre considered high-risk if you:
- Have had chlamydia infections previously.
Cisgender men, or trans and nonbinary individuals with penises, should be screened for chlamydia if:
- They live in a setting where chlamydia spreads frequently, like correctional facilities, adolescent clinics and sexual health clinics.
- They have sex with other men.
You May Like: What Do They Prescribe For Chlamydia
What Are Chlamydia Symptoms
Chlamydia in women and people with female reproductive organs is often asymptomatic. This means that people often do not experience any discomfort or notice any changes while infected.
Without any symptoms, people may be infected and not know it. 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 .
Does Chlamydia Have A Smell
In some cases, chlamydia can cause unusual vaginal discharge, which could have a strong or pungent smell.
However, this could also be a sign of several other STIs, including bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis. It could also be caused by many other factors, including sweat, changes in pH, or shifts in hormone levels.
Consider talking with a healthcare professional to address any concerns regarding abnormal discharge or odor, especially if its accompanied by other symptoms like pain, bleeding, itching, or burning.
You May Like: Chlamydia Symptoms In Men Photos
Do I Need To Get Tested For Chlamydia
- If you are 24 or younger and have sex, you need to get tested for chlamydia. Chlamydia is most common in women between 15 and 24 years old. You need to get tested if you have had any symptoms of chlamydia since your last negative test result or if your sex partner has chlamydia.
- If you are older than 24, you need to get tested if, in the past year or since your last test, you:
- Had a new sex partner
- Had your sex partner tell you they have chlamydia
- Traded sex for money or drugs
- Have had chlamydia or another STI in the past
- Did not use condoms during sex and are in a relationship that is not monogamous, meaning you or your partner has sex with other people
You also need to be tested if you are pregnant or if you have any symptoms of chlamydia.
You May Like: If Someone Has Chlamydia Will You Definitely Catch It
What Should I Do If I Have Chlamydia
Chlamydia is easy to treat. But you need to be tested and treated as soon as possible.
If you have chlamydia:
- See a doctor or nurse as soon as possible. Antibiotics will treat chlamydia, but they will not fix any permanent damage to your reproductive organs.
- Take all of your medicine. Even if symptoms go away, you need to finish all of the antibiotics.
- Tell your sex partner so they can be tested and treated. If they are not tested and treated you could get chlamydia again.
- Avoid sexual contact until you and your partner have been treated and cured. Even after you finish your antibiotics, you can get chlamydia again if you have sex with someone who has chlamydia.
- See your doctor or nurse again if you have symptoms that dont go away within a few days after finishing the antibiotics.
Read Also: Does Chlamydia Go Away By Itself
Recommended Reading: How Can You Tell If You Have Chlamydia Male
How Is Chlamydia Screening Done
A person can test for chlamydia at home or in the lab. They can take either a urine sample or a swab.
- Females can take a swab, place it in a container, and send it to a laboratory.
- Males will usually use a urine test.
A doctor can advise individuals on the best option. They may also recommend rectal or throat testing, especially for people who are living with HIV.
Home screening tests are available, but it is not always easy to do them correctly at home. A healthcare provider will usually recommend following up on any home tests by visiting a doctors office.
The person will likely need to provide a urine sample for a test to confirm a diagnosis. After treatment, they will need to retake the test to ensure that the treatment has worked.
If anyone wishes to try home testing, chlamydia screening test kits are available for purchase online.
Dont Miss: Does Any Antibiotic Cure Chlamydia
Male Complications Of Untreated Chlamydia
Men can also experience complications when chlamydia is left untreated. The epididymis the tube that holds the testicles in place may become inflamed, causing pain. This is known as epididymitis.
The infection can also spread to the prostate gland, causing a fever, painful intercourse, and discomfort in the lower back. Another possible complication is male chlamydial urethritis.
These are just some of the most common complications of untreated chlamydia, which is why its important to get medical attention right away. Most people who get treatment quickly have no long-term medical problems.
Recommended Reading: Where Do You Get Tested For Chlamydia
Occurrence In The United States
CDC estimates that approximately 1.6 million new gonococcal infections occurred in the United States in 2018, with a significant number of cases likely unreported. Per the CDC, gonorrhea is the second most commonly reported communicable disease. The national average in 2009 was 99.1 cases per 100,000 population, a 10.5% decrease from 2008, with considerable state-to-state variation. Rates of reported gonorrhea have increased 92.0% since the historic low in 2009. Men were apparently less likely than women to be tested for gonorrhea, 20.7% vs 50.9%, respectively. However, the infection rates between men and women were similar . Infection rates in men appear to be on the rise.
CDC report estimated the annual cost of gonorrhea and its complications to be $271 million.
In the United States, the number of gonococcal infections peaked in the 1970s, the era of the sexual revolution. With the onset of the HIV epidemic and the practicing of safe sex techniques, the incidence dramatically decreased from 468 cases per 100,000 population in 1975 to 100-150 cases per 100,000 population at the turn of the century. The rate of reported gonorrhea cases was at its lowest in 2009 but has been increasing overall since then. The increased numbers have been attributed to increased cases in males and persistently high rates in adolescents, young adults, and certain racial/ethnic groups in defined geographic areas.
Resistant gonorrhea