Chlamydia and Infertility: What You Need to Know

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease known to cause serious health complications for men and women if left untreated. Many people are unaware of how severe a chlamydia infection can become. This is partially due to the fact that most people have never heard of it. Fortunately, chlamydia is very easy to treat if it is diagnosed early.

Following are some common questions and concerns pertaining to this common yet treatable sexually transmitted disease.

Chlamydia Overview

Chlamydia is a very common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacteria known as Chlamydia trachomatis. This specific STI is asymptomatic, meaning that a person may have no symptoms. Chlamydia is diagnosed most often in people under the age of 15, but anyone can catch Chlamydia.

Because it has no symptoms and people are often not aware that they have it, chlamydia is highly transmittable. This is one reason why it’s important to get tested regularly.

What Are the Symptoms of Chlamydia?

For women, the symptoms associated with chlamydia are often minor and include bleeding between periods, painful sex, and vaginal dryness. For men, the only symptom they may notice is painful urination. Many people mistakenly attribute these symptoms to other causes, which is why chlamydia infections often go undetected until a person tries to get pregnant.

Chlamydia and Infertility: FAQs

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions that we get asked about infertility and chlamydia.

Can Chlamydia Cause Infertility?

Yes, according to research, chlamydia can cause infertility. In fact, chlamydia, along with gonorrhea, another STD, are among the most common causes of infertility.

Untreated sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like chlamydia can cause various issues including scarring and inflammation of the reproductive tract. These problems lead to infertility.

How Likely Is It to Become Infertile From a Chlamydia Infection

Chlamydia causes pelvic inflammatory disease in approximately one in ten women. Pelvic inflammatory disease is a leading cause of infertility. While chlamydia does not always cause infertility, it can lead to fertility issues if left untreated.

How Long Does It Take to Become Infertile From a Chlamydia Infection?

There is no time for how long a chlamydia infection must remain in the system to cause infertility, because every body is different.  It can take from weeks to two years. Chlamydia can lead to infertility in women due to the amount of scarring it causes to their internal reproductive organs. If you have had unprotected sex and not had a chlamydia test, you should get tested before trying to start a family.

Can Infertility from Chlamydia Be Reversed?

While chlamydia is easily treatable when diagnosed early, infertility caused by this sexually transmitted disease is permanent. Infertility treatments are often necessary for women who want to become pregnant but are unable to do so due to previous chlamydia infection.

Final Thoughts

It’s important to get tested for chlamydia in order to receive appropriate medical treatment as soon as possible. Chlamydia is easily treated with a short course of antibiotics. If you are concerned with confidentiality, you can schedule a discreet at-home testing service. Get the answers you need and book an appointment today.            

Sources

• Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Infertility – PMC
• Self-reported infertility and associated pelvic inflammatory disease among women of reproductive age – PMC
• Infertility & STDs – CDC