Chlamydia is a widespread sexually transmitted infection that is often symptomless. While it can affect individuals of all genders, its impact on women’s health can be particularly significant and far-reaching. Knowing how long chlamydia can go unnoticed, recognising symptoms, and understanding treatment options can have a vast effect on overall health.

This article delves into the intricacies of chlamydia in women, exploring the subtle and sometimes absent symptoms, the potential for serious long-term health risks if left untreated, and crucial strategies for protecting your well-being. Understanding chlamydia is the first step towards safeguarding your reproductive health and overall quality of life.

What Is Chlamydia?

Chlamydia is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It spreads through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected partner. Despite being easily treatable, chlamydia often goes undiagnosed because it rarely shows early symptoms, especially in women.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate millions of new cases annually across the world, many of which remain undetected due to the lack of symptoms.

Symptoms of Chlamydia in Women

Chlamydia is often referred to as the “silent infection” because most women don’t exhibit noticeable symptoms in the early stages. However, as the infection progresses, some women may begin to experience:

• Unusual vaginal discharge: Thin, watery, or milky-white discharge with a strong odour.
• Painful urination (Dysuria): A burning or stinging sensation when you pee.
• Pain during sexual intercourse: Discomfort or pain during or after vaginal sex.
• Bleeding between periods: Light spotting not associated with menstruation.
• Bleeding after sex: This may indicate cervical inflammation caused by the infection.
• Lower abdominal or pelvic pain: A dull ache or cramping that can worsen during periods or sex.
• Inflamed cervix (Cervicitis): Often discovered during a pelvic exam; the cervix may look red and irritated.
• Rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding: If the infection is contracted through anal sex.
• Eye infections (Conjunctivitis): If the bacteria come into contact with the eyes.

How Long Can You Have Chlamydia Before It Causes Damage?

This is one of the most critical questions. If left untreated, chlamydia can start causing damage within a few weeks to months. The longer it is untreated, the higher the risk of developing serious health complications, especially for women.

Here’s a rough timeline of chlamydia damage:

• Weeks 1-4: Infection may be asymptomatic or exhibit mild symptoms.
• 1-3 Months: The risk of infection ascending to the uterus and fallopian tubes increases.
• Beyond 3 Months: Increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, which significantly affects fertility and overall reproductive health.

Chlamydia and Fertility

Chlamydia is a silent threat to female fertility. If left untreated, it can spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease, which can lead to:

• Scarring or blocking of the fallopian tubes, preventing egg and sperm from meeting
• Increased risk of ectopic pregnancy
• Infertility

The damage can happen without noticeable symptoms, which is why regular STI screenings are crucial for protecting reproductive health.

Chlamydia in Men

As a disease, chlamydia is not restricted to women only. Men also can contract it, which in most cases goes unnoticed because symptoms are usually mild or absent. But even without symptoms, men can still transmit the infection to their partners.

Why Women Need to Know

As a woman, you need to know if a man has chlamydia especially if you’re being intimate with him because:

• It spreads silently in men, so your male partner might not know he’s infected.
• Even after you have been treated and cured, there remains a risk of reinfection.
• Understanding male symptoms (such as burning while urinating, discharge, and testicular pain) enables women to encourage their partners to get tested.

Protecting your reproductive health means both partners should get tested and treated – even if no one has symptoms.

Is Chlamydia Curable?

Yes, chlamydia can be treated with the right dosage of antibiotics. Typically, a single dose of azithromycin or a 7-day course of doxycycline is prescribed. It’s vital to follow the dosage and complete the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms disappear before finishing treatment.

Important Aftercare Tips:

• Avoid sex for 7 days after completing treatment to prevent spreading the infection.
• Your partner should be treated too, even if they have no symptoms.
• Get retested in 3 months, especially if you’re under 25 or have new or multiple partners.

Chlamydia Testing and Diagnosis

Chlamydia often does not show symptoms, making it easy to spread unknowingly. Regular testing is important to catch and treat the infection early.

Who Should Get Tested for Chlamydia?

Testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is recommended for active women under the age of 25, women aged 25 and older with new or multiple partners, pregnant women, and men who are intimate with men or at high risk due to a partner testing positive for STIs. It is also recommended as a preventive health step, even if you are symptom-free.

Common Tests for Chlamydia

Chlamydia can be diagnosed through simple and accurate laboratory tests. These include:

• Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) – Gold Standard: This test is very accurate in detecting the genetic material of the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria. It can be done using a urine sample or swabs from the cervix in women, the urethra in men, or the throat in cases of oral exposure.
• Urine Test: Suitable for both men and women, this non-invasive and easily collected test is perfect for regular screenings.
• Swab Test: Healthcare providers collect samples from different areas depending on the patient’s gender and symptoms. Women have samples taken from the cervix, while men have samples taken from the urethra. Samples may also be taken from the genital or oral areas in certain cases for more accurate results. Although slightly invasive, swab testing provides specific results when needed.

What to Expect During the Test

Most tests do not require any special preparation. However, for urine tests, it is recommended that you refrain from urinating for at least one hour before providing a sample. The results typically take between 1 to 7 days to be processed, with the exact timeframe varying depending on the specific clinic or laboratory.

At-Home Chlamydia Testing Kits

At-home testing kits are discreet, convenient, and rapidly gaining popularity. These kits can be purchased online or at pharmacies. They usually require collecting a urine sample or swab and sending it to a lab for analysis. Results are typically accessible online within a few days. It is essential to select certified kits to guarantee accuracy.

Complications of Untreated Chlamydia in Women

Chlamydia is a treatable infection, but if left untreated, it can lead to serious health complications, particularly for women such as:

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease is a condition where the infection spreads to the upper reproductive organs causing inflammation and infection. Symptoms include abdominal pain, fever, unusual vaginal discharge, and painful urination. This disease can lead to infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and ectopic pregnancy.

Pelvic inflammatory disease, in turn, can lead to other complications such as:

• Infertility: Pelvic inflammatory disease can cause damage to the fallopian tubes. These tubes are crucial for the transportation of eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. The scarring and blockage of fallopian tubes can significantly raise the chances of infertility. It is important to note that untreated chlamydia is a leading cause of infertility among women.
• Ectopic Pregnancy: An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilised egg implants outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. Pelvic inflammatory disease can increase the risk of this condition by scarring the fallopian tubes. Symptoms include pelvic pain, vaginal bleeding, and dizziness. Ectopic pregnancies are considered dangerous and require urgent surgery.

Chronic Pelvic Pain

Untreated chlamydia can result in chronic pelvic pain, characterised by persistent discomfort in the lower abdomen lasting for several months. This pain may stem from continuous inflammation or damage caused by the infection spreading to the reproductive organs.

Increased Risk of HIV

Untreated chlamydia in women can significantly increase the risk of HIV infection. The inflammation triggered by chlamydia can make individuals more vulnerable to contracting HIV, particularly if they engage in unprotected sexual activity.

Pregnancy Complications

If a pregnant woman with untreated chlamydia gives birth, she can pass on the infection to her baby. This may cause complications such as preterm birth, low birth weight, conjunctivitis, and pneumonia.

Recurrent Infections

Untreated chlamydia in women poses a significant risk of recurrent infections. Failure to properly treat the infection can result in its resurgence, creating a cycle of ongoing infections and potential complications.

Chlamydia and Pregnancy

Leaving chlamydia untreated during pregnancy can harm both the mother and baby.

Pelvic inflammatory disease due to untreated chlamydia during pregnancy can increase the risk of preterm labour and other complications during delivery. Pregnant women with untreated chlamydia also have a higher chance of contracting HIV if exposed, due to the inflammation caused by chlamydia. Untreated chlamydia can also cause chronic pelvic pain, affecting a woman’s quality of life during pregnancy.

Chlamydia can be transmitted from a mother to her newborn during childbirth if the mother has an active infection. This can lead to complications such as eye infections (ophthalmia neonatorum), pneumonia, preterm birth, and low birth weight. Premature babies may face long-term health challenges due to underdeveloped organs and difficulty feeding.

Preventing Chlamydia and Protecting Your Health

Here are some effective strategies for preventing chlamydia and protecting your overall and reproductive health:

• Get Regular Screenings: Early detection is the most powerful tool in fighting chlamydia. Routine STI testing is essential for sexually active individuals.
• Use Protection: Condoms and dental dams significantly reduce the risk of transmission during vaginal, oral, and anal sex.
• Limit Sexual Partners: Having multiple sexual partners increases the risk of exposure. Maintaining a mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner is ideal.
• Communication Is Key: Talk to your partners about sexual health, STI status, and testing history openly. Normalising these conversations can protect both parties.
• Avoid Douching: Douching can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina and may push bacteria further up into the reproductive tract, increasing infection risk.
• Vaccination: While there is no vaccine for chlamydia, other vaccines, such as the HPV vaccine, can protect certain STIs that can also lead to serious health problems.
• Get Treated Immediately if You Have Symptoms: If you notice any symptoms of chlamydia, such as unusual discharge, burning sensations during urination, or abdominal pain, see a healthcare provider immediately. Early detection and antibiotic treatment can prevent the infection from progressing and causing complications.

Sources:

• https://womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/chlamydia
• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/chlamydia
• https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chlamydia
• https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/chlamydia-a-to-z
• https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/chlamydia/how-is-chlamydia-prevented
• https://www.verywellhealth.com/diagnosing-chlamydia
• https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-long-does-chlamydia-last
• https://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/chlamydia