Chlamydia and Your Future

 

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can infect the cervix, the urethra, the anus, and even the eyes.  But in women, this infection is primarily found in the cervix.  The infectious agent is a bacteria called Chlamydia Trachomatis (CT).  What most people don't know is that anyone who is sexually active can contract this disease.  So, what should you know about CT?
Symptoms and treatment for CT
Symptoms range from none to vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding, mild pelvic discomfort, and even severe pelvic/abdominal pain.  A simple cervical infection may be treated with a one-time antibiotic dose of Azithromycin or a 7-day course of Doxycycline.  However, if not treated in time, the CT can move up from the cervix into the uterus, fallopian tubes, and into the abdominal cavity.  This creates a severe infection called Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).  PID requires a 2-week course of several antibiotics.  Depending on the severity of PID, hospitalization may be required initially.

So, what's the big deal?
So if CT is treatable, what’s the big deal?  Unfortunately, CT infection impacts the future of a woman in several ways.  Every episode of simple CT raises the risk of infertility and ectopic pregnancy.  In addition, PID creates a much worse situation, with a 20 percent risk of infertility after just one episode of PID.  The woman who has endured PID will be left with sticky scar tissue inside the abdomen called “adhesions.”  Adhesions lead to distortion of the anatomy, infertility, pelvic pain.  Pus can form from the infection and be found throughout the abdomen.  In women who have had PID, there can be adhesions between their liver and their abdominal wall.  This indicates free pus and inflammation as high as the liver.  Yep, high right abdominal pain can be from PID.
How can you prevent CT and other STDs?
So what can you do to prevent this from happening? 

• Make sure you use condoms.  Even if you use another form of birth control, use condoms to prevent CT and other STDs. 
• Don’t be afraid to ask your health care provider to test you regularly even if you don’t have any signs or symptoms.
• If you do get CT, get treated immediately–don’t let it progress. 
• Finally, make sure your partner(s) and any other of their partners get treated.  If you have it, they have it.

If you don’t have health insurance, there are usually affordable or free resources available–call your local health department and ask!