Leads To Infertility In Women
Several cases of infertility have been observed till now and most of them use to happen just because of untreated Chlamydia. Whenever Chlamydia infection attacks a woman then it often creates trouble at uterus opening. Note that if this condition is ignored so long then bacterium starts traveling towards fallopian tube and then to ovaries.
This disease also causes harm to the hairs around the fallopian tube so the egg is not able to find guidance from ovaries towards womb. Such kind of damage leads to scars and slowly the tube may get blocked. This blockage is a major reason behind infertility. Some professionals have also reported the presence of ectopic pregnancy in Chlamydia affected women so it is really important to get it treated on time so that complications can be avoided.
What Causes Chlamydia In Women
Chlamydia is a bacterium that causes an infection that is very similar to gonorrhea in the way that it is spread and the symptoms it produces. Like gonorrhea, the chlamydia bacterium is found in the cervix and urethra and can live in the throat or rectum. Both infected men and infected women frequently lack symptoms of chlamydia infection. Thus, these individuals can unknowingly spread the infection to others. Another strain of Chlamydia trachomatis, which can be distinguished in specialized laboratories, causes the STD known as lymphogranuloma venereum, which affects the lymph glands.
Chlamydia can be detected on material collected by swabbing the cervix during a traditional examination using a speculum, but noninvasive screening tests done on urine or on self-collected vaginal swabs are less expensive and sometimes more acceptable to patients. While culturing of the organism can confirm the diagnosis, this method is limited to research laboratories and forensic investigations. For routine diagnostic use, newer and inexpensive diagnostic tests that depend upon identification and amplification of the genetic material of the organism have replaced the older, time-consuming culture methods.
What Are The Symptoms Of Chlamydia In Women
The symptoms of Chlamydia in women are rarely noticeable. Professionals reveal that among a huge number of patients, only 30% females show symptoms related to this disease and rest all suffer from silent infection. In case if symptoms of the disease are present in the body then the person will notice them within 3 weeks right from their occurrence.
Some of the major symptoms associated with Chlamydia disease are:
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Treatment And Medication Options For Chlamydia
A course of antibiotics is the treatment for chlamydia. Your doctor will decide which drug to prescribe, and at what dose, according to your individual medical needs and other aspects of your situation.
Its important to abstain from having sex until seven days after the start of your antibiotic treatment, to prevent the transmission of chlamydia to a sexual partner. If you have a partner who is being treated for chlamydia, the same recommendation applies to them.
If you have symptoms that persist for more than a few days after you start your treatment, see your doctor again to be reevaluated.
Because the symptoms of chlamydia are similar to those of gonorrhea, you should be treated for both infections if you test positive for chlamydia. Thats because its often faster and cheaper to just treat both infections than to order another test for gonorrhea after a positive test result for chlamydia.
After completing your antibiotic treatment for chlamydia, youll need to get tested again after three to four months or earlier, if recommended to check for reinfection.
While antibiotics can cure chlamydia, they cant reverse any permanent damage caused by the infection.
How Does Gonorrhea Affect Pregnancy
For pregnant women, untreated gonorrhea raises the risk of:
- Miscarriage
- Premature birth . Premature birth is the most common cause of infant death and can lead to long-term health and developmental problems in children.4
- Water breaking too early. This can lead to premature birth.
Babies born to infected mothers are at risk for:
- Blindness. Treating the newborns eyes with medicine right after birth can prevent eye infection. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force strongly recommends and most states require by law that all babies be treated with medicated eye ointments soon after birth.5
- Joint infection
- Life-threatening blood infection
Treatment of gonorrhea as soon as it is found in pregnant women will lower the risk of these problems for both mother and baby. Your baby will get antibiotics if you have gonorrhea or if your baby has a gonorrheal eye infection.
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Does Chlamydia Test Detect Lgv
Lymphogranuloma venereum infection can be detected by chlamydia urine or swab testing. Hence a negative chlamydia test typically signifies no LGV infection. A specialized test should be conducted on the same sample if a person tests positive for chlamydia and has either LGV-like symptoms or has had sexual contact with someone who has LGV.
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How Do You Know If You Have Chlamydia
The only way to know if you have chlamydia is by amedical exam. Most women with chlamydia do nothave any signs of infection. See your health careprovider to be tested for chlamydia each year if you:
- Are age 25 or younger and are sexually active
- Are older than 25 with new or multiple sex partners
- Do not practice safe sex
- Are having sex with someone who might be havingsex with others
- Are pregnant
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How Is It Contracted
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
Is It Possible To Prevent Chlamydia
Since most people who have the infection do not have symptoms and may not be aware they are infected, it is commonly spread, and it can be difficult to prevent the infection. Male condoms can reduce the risk of spreading or acquiring the infection. Having a mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested or treated also reduces the risk of contracting chlamydia infection.
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How Does Chlamydia Spread
Chlamydia is spread when a person has unprotected sex with an infected person.
Because chlamydial infection often has no symptoms, many people do not realise they have the infection.
Even if you know a person well, you may not be able to tell they have an STI, because people can look healthy and still have chlamydia.
Remember, you can get chlamydia and other STIs from a new sexual partner who has in the past had sex with someone who is infected.
It can also be spread from a long-term partner who has had sex with other people.
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
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Questions To Ask Your Doctor
- Do I have an STI? Can it be cured?
- What kind of treatment will I need?
- Can I have sex with my partner without passing on my STI?
- Can I spread an STI if I dont have symptoms and dont even know I have it?
- How do I prevent getting an STI?
- What long-term problems might I have if I have an STI?
- If Im pregnant, can I pass my STI onto my baby?
- Are there any STI support groups in my area?
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What Happens If Chlamydia Goes Untreated
If a person is not treated for chlamydia, complications may occur. Women frequently develop pelvic inflammatory disease . PID can cause infertility , chronic pelvic pain, tubal pregnancies, and the continued spread of the disease. In men, untreated chlamydia can cause urethral infection and complications such as swollen and tender testicles. Chlamydia infection during pregnancy may result in premature rupture of membranes, preterm delivery and possible tubal pregnancy in a small percent of women. In addition, chlamydia can cause conjunctival and pneumonic infection in the newborn. Persons with a chlamydia infection have an increased chance of getting other infections such as gonorrhea or HIV.
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Who Should Get Tested For Chlamydia
Pregnant women should be screened for chlamydia according to the above guidelines, with a second test during the third trimester of pregnancy. If a pregnant woman tests positive for chlamydia, she should be tested again three to four weeks after treatment to ensure that it was effective, plus once more within three months.
Men who have sex with men should also get screened for chlamydia yearly, with any potential areas of contact urethra, rectum, or throat included in these tests, regardless of whether condoms were used. Men in this group with multiple sex partners, or whose partner has multiple partners, should get tested every three to six months instead.
The CDC recommends screening all men for chlamydia at certain high-risk facilities, such as prisons and jails and STD clinics.
People with HIV should be tested for chlamydia at their first HIV evaluation, and at least once a year after that if theyre sexually active, depending on their sexual practices.
What Are The Symptoms Of Chlamydia Infection
Most people have no symptoms at all. If you do get symptoms, you will usually get them about 7-14 days after having unprotected sex.
For women – you may have:
- stinging or burning when passing urine or pain during sex
A pregnant woman who has chlamydia may:
- have a higher chance of having a miscarriage or premature baby
- have a baby with lung and eye infections
For men – you may have:
- stinging or burning when passing urine
- pain and swelling in one or both testicles
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What Is Chlamydia Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment And Prevention
Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the United States. Its especially common in young adults, for reasons that have to do with both the biology of young bodies and the lifestyle choices made by many young people, such as having sex with many different partners.
While chlamydia can be easily and quickly treated, untreated chlamydia can and often does cause infertility in women. Symptoms of chlamydia can be mild or nonexistent, which means its important to get screened for it if you fit the recommended screening criteria.
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Chlamydia Symptoms In Guy
Lots of men do not discover the signs and symptoms of chlamydia. Most males have no signs and symptoms whatsoever.
If symptoms do appear, its normally 1 to 3 weeks after transmission.
Some of one of the most usual signs and symptoms of chlamydia in guys consist of:
- burning experience throughout peeing
- pain in the lower abdominal area
- pain in the testicles
Its likewise possible to get a chlamydia infection in the rectum. In this instance, the main signs are usually discharge, pain, as well as hemorrhaging from this area.
Having foreplay with somebody who has the infection elevates the threat of obtaining chlamydia in the throat. Signs and symptoms can include a sore throat, cough, or high temperature. Its also feasible to bring bacteria in the throat and not know it. Symptoms Of Gonorrhea And Chlamydia In Females
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Can You Prevent Chlamydia
You can lower your risk of getting chlamydia and other STIs by:
- not having sex with someone with chlamydia, even with a condom, until theyve finished treatment and 1 week has passed since their last dose of antibiotics
- regularly getting tested for STIs, especially if you are under 30 and sexually active
Remember that most people with chlamydia dont show any symptoms and dont know they have it, so feeling ‘well’ does not mean that you or your partner are not infected. If in doubt, get tested.
If you have chlamydia, you can help reduce the spread by letting your recent sexual partners know so they can get tested and treated.
Chlamydia And Gonorrhea Symptoms
The symptoms of chlamydia and gonorrhea overlap, so it can be difficult to differentiate between the two unless you visit your healthcare provider or take a test for chlamydia or gonorrhea.
The overlapping symptoms for chlamydia and gonorrhea in men and women include:
- A burning sensation during urination
- Abnormal genital or rectal discharge
- Pain in the rectum
- Sore throat
With both chlamydia or gonococcal infections , men might also experience swelling and pain in the testicles and/or scrotum.
In women, both a gonorrhea and chlamydia infection might be mistaken for a yeast infection. Women may also experience painful periods, bleeding between periods, pain during sex, or abdominal pain.
Although the symptoms overlap, the discharge caused by chlamydia vs. gonorrhea can vary slightly. For a chlamydia infection, a womanâs vaginal discharge might have a strong odor and yellowish tint. Men might have a cloudy or clear discharge. With gonorrhea, both women and men may experience green, yellow, or white discharge.
If youre a woman experiencing abnormal vaginal discharge or a man with abnormal penile discharge, be sure to consult your healthcare provider as soon as possible as this is a common sign of an infection.
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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 .
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
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General Treatment For Stds
Sexually transmitted diseases caused by parasites and bacteria are treatable, but viral infections are incurable. However, viral infections can be managed by medications. It is important for a pregnant lady who has been infected to start mediation immediately to avoid infecting the baby. Below are some treatment solutions for STDs:
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How Did I Get Chlamydia If I Didnt Cheat
A note from Cleveland Clinic
It can be embarrassing to talk about anything sex-related with your healthcare provider, including STI prevention. But your sex life is an important part of your health that your provider needs to know about to care for you. Not getting the treatment you need for chlamydia can pose serious risks to your health. Speak with your provider about getting regularly screened for chlamydia and other STIs to reduce your risks of complications. Practice safer sex to prevent the spread of chlamydia.
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Chlamydia Test For Women
To diagnose the infection, your doctor can use a few different chlamydia tests. Your doctor will likely ask you about your symptoms and why you think you have the infection. When this happens, its important to be as honest as possible.
Although many physicians do it, a chlamydia test is not automatically done at the time that a Pap test is done.
For this reason, its important for women, especially sexually active women aged 25 and under, to ask their health care provider whether theyre getting tested for chlamydia every year.
If you think you may have been exposed to an STD, youll have to ask for a screening.
Fortunately, chlamydia is easy to treat. If you suspect that you have it, youll need to:
- See your health care provider immediately before the infection does damage to your reproductive organs.
- Listen to your doctor and take all of your medicine. Even if your symptoms go away, you should finish your pills.
- Tell your sexual partner. They should know about the infection so that they too can be tested and treated.
- Avoid having sexual intercourse until you and your partner have been cured.
Since chlamydia is a bacteria, your doctor will prescribe you antibiotics.
Std Treatments For Women
STD treatments for women depend on the type of STD you have, including the intensity of said STD.
In most cases, if you do receive an STD diagnosis, treatment will involve a round of antibiotics, antivirals and/or a topical cream, though the type of medication you receive may differ depending on where you live.
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