Chlamydia can compromise fertility if left untreated.

Much more common than people think, chlamydia is caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis virus. This sexually transmitted disease affects fertility much more than one would expect. That’s why the sooner you discover its existence and start treatment, the better. As one of the main STDs, chlamydia has a feature that makes it one of the most dangerous sexually transmitted diseases. It is silent and, most of the time, does not clearly show specific symptoms like HPV, syphilis, and others.

Chlamydia is an infectious disease and affects the genital organs aggressively, including the uterus, which is the main organ for fertility. In the female body, when chlamydia affects the uterus, it can cause a collection of fluids due to the infection. This fluid spreads through the fallopian tubes and cervix and may directly interfere with a woman’s fertility. How? The tubes, when affected by fluid collections caused by chlamydia, suffer from hydrosalpinx. This can make it difficult for the egg to remain viable and also for sperm to pass through after intercourse. Hydrosalpinx, in the vast majority of cases, causes infertility and, if not treated, can leave a woman sterile as a serious complication of the infection.

Besides the tubes, the fluid accumulated at the bottom of the uterus can also cause problems for pregnancy to occur. Even if chlamydia has not reached the tubes, if there is a buildup of this infectious secretion at the implantation site, the zygote may not survive the acidic pH and may not develop. In many cases, chlamydia causes a pelvic infection that, during pregnancy, may cause miscarriage or premature birth. Therefore, the most appropriate medical recommendation is treatment, even if it takes time. The doctor may also choose to clear the tubes full of fluid, in addition to conventional chlamydia treatment.

However, chlamydia does not only affect women. It can also cause problems in the male body. Just as in women, it causes infection and can affect the prostate and the seminal ducts that transport sperm during ejaculation. When it reaches this stage, some simple activities for men, such as urinating, become painful. While the impact on fertility is not as evident as it is for women, it can still affect sexual potency due to prostate damage.

What Are the Symptoms and Treatments for Chlamydia?

In women, symptoms can be masked by several other types of illnesses. Chlamydia symptoms are similar to those of other diseases, which is why diagnosis can be delayed. Among the most common symptoms in women are:

  • Pain while urinating
  • Pain and burning during sexual intercourse
  • Discharge with a strong odor or chlorine-like greenish color
  • Spotting after sexual intercourse
  • Rectal pain
  • Abdominal pain

For men, diagnosis is more difficult due to reluctance to seek doctors and undergo tests. Usually, chlamydia in men manifests as testicular pain and swelling, foul-smelling penile discharge, and abdominal pain. For both men and women, diagnosis is made through specific tests for chlamydia. In addition to the Pap smear or oncological cytology for women, chlamydia is also detected in urine tests. For men with penile discharge, a mucus secretion can also be analyzed to investigate the presence of the chlamydia-causing agent.

The percentage of people suspected of having chlamydia has increased recently. About 70% of suspected cases are confirmed, and 55% of cases involve men and women between the ages of 25 to 35 with an active sex life. The best form of prevention for chlamydia is using condoms, but there is also treatment. It’s important to note that recurrence of the disease is possible, as the body does not produce antibodies against it. It’s possible for the same person to experience flare-ups of the disease several times throughout their life.

Regarding fertility, treatment can be effective, but it will all depend on the degree of the disease and the organs affected. The use of antibiotics is the main way to treat chlamydia and is also recommended for women who want to get pregnant. For pregnant women with chlamydia, antibiotics are also advisable to prevent the disease from being transmitted from mother to child at birth or in utero. It is important to note that chlamydia is curable. It all depends on the treatment and strict adherence to it. It is not impossible for a woman with chlamydia to become pregnant, nor for a man with chlamydia to get his partner pregnant. However, treatment should be started as soon as it is detected to make it easier when the desire to have a baby arises.

See also: What Role Do the Fallopian Tubes Play in Fertility?

Photos: Daniele Patrone, Hey Paul Studios