It is not known how common it is for women to become infertile following a chlamydia infection but some scientists estimate that chlamydia is responsible for as many as one in five cases of infertility in women. However, chlamydia does not only affect female fertility, it can also take a toll on male fertility.
Untreated, about 10-15% of women with chlamydia will develop PID. Chlamydia can also cause fallopian tube infection without any symptoms. PID and “silent” infection in the upper genital tract may cause permanent damage to the fallopian tubes, uterus, and surrounding tissues, which can lead to infertility.
With early detection and the right treatment, a chlamydia infection can be cured. However, if chlamydia goes unnoticed and untreated (which is quite possible without regular sexual health screening and considering 70% of women have an asymptomatic infection[3]), it can lead to infertility and PID.
If left untreated, chlamydia can lead to a considerable decline in the motility and quality of sperm, which makes conception much more difficult. Chlamydia can be passed to newborn babies and cause inclusion conjunctivitis when they have been delivered through a vaginal birth by a mother who has the infection.
Chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, which can then result in tubal scarring due to an intense and chronic inflammatory response. Tubal scarring may lead to tubal factor infertility (TFI).
Whether it affects your fertility depends on whether the infection spreads. The general rule is: The quicker you treat it, the better. However, the fact that you have had chlamydia for several years does not necessarily mean that you are infertile.
IVF is a popular choice for those suffering from the after-effects of chlamydia. For women who may have scarring on their fallopian tubes, the process is ideal.
Late-stage chlamydia refers to an infection that has spread to other parts of the body. For example, it may have spread to the cervix (cervicitis), testicular tubes (epididymitis), eyes (conjunctivitis), or throat (pharyngitis), causing inflammation and pain.
PID is most often caused by the STDs gonorrhea or chlamydia when bacteria enter the reproductive system. PID causes scarring of the cervix, vagina, ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus. If left untreated, PID can cause irreversible damage resulting in infertility.
There may be a greater chance of chlamydia affecting fertility if you have repeated infections or if it goes untreated and causes a condition called Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). However many women who have had a diagnosis of PID will go on to have babies.
Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse. If you or your female partner are over the age of 35, you should see a fertility specialist after six months. After age 40, we recommend seeking help right away because we know fertility declines as age increases.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
difficulty getting pregnant or infertility. persistent (chronic) pelvic pain. an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy (where a fertilised egg implants itself outside the womb)
How long after infection do symptoms appear? PID symptoms can appear shortly after being diagnosed with an STD such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. It may take upwards of a year for most people to develop PID, but others can develop it earlier, depending on the severity of the infection.
On the other hand, if you don't get tested or don't see a healthcare provider for treatment, chlamydia can live in the body for weeks, months, or even years without being detected. This can lead to long-term complications, including infertility.
Data from this study indicated that those women with PID were more likely to have ectopic pregnancy (6 times increased rate), tubal factor infertility (ranging from 8% after the first episode to as high as 40% after three episodes) and chronic pelvic pain (18% following one episode).
If left untreated, gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause serious permanent damage, including infertility (unable to get pregnant and have children). Informing your partners gives them the opportunity to get immediate testing, and if necessary, receive treatment.
Chlamydia does not only damage female fertility, it damages male fertility as well. Chlamydia is the most common STD (sexually transmitted disease) in the United Kingdom.
Many women, and some men, are infected with chlamydia but don't know it. Even without symptoms, the disease can cause complications, particularly infertility. The longer the infection is untreated, the more damage that can be done. If symptoms do show up, they usually occur within weeks of exposure.
STIs can affect male fertility or, in some cases, even cause infertility. Gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, HIV, HPV, and mycoplasma/ureaplasma may all affect fertility or family-building plans.
Symptoms can occur within 2-14 days after infection. However, a person may have chlamydia for months, or even years, without knowing it.
How long does chlamydia last? With treatment, chlamydia should go away within a week or two, however, the test may remain positive for 4 weeks after treatment. It's important to take all antibiotics to fight the infection. Don't have sex during treatment, or you could get reinfected.
Roughly three million Americans contract chlamydia each year [1]. Without medical intervention, a chlamydia infection can persist for years if gone unnoticed [1].
If they do get symptoms, the most common include: Pain when urinating. White, cloudy, or watery discharge from the tip of the penis. Burning or itching in the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body)
Infertility—One in 10 women with PID becomes infertile. PID can cause scarring of the fallopian tubes. This scarring can block the tubes and prevent an egg from being fertilized. Ectopic pregnancy—Scarring from PID also can prevent a fertilized egg from moving into the uterus.
Chlamydia and your pregnancy
If you have chlamydia when you are pregnant, you have an increased risk of your waters breaking prematurely (premature rupture of membranes), causing the baby to be born early. Your health team will follow up closely, especially during the last trimester of your pregnancy.