Chlamydia is a common sexualy transmitted infection STI, affecting over thirty thousand people each year and is the number one most reported and occurs most in those ages 15 to 24 (CDC, 2019). Though, anyone who has sex is able to contract chlamydia through oral, anal, or vaginal sex with an infected induvial. Women can give chlamydia to their children during childbirth though pregnancy. In women, Chlamydia can be damaging to the reproductive system and make it difficult or even impossible to become pregnant. Those able to become pregnant my still be affected by a potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy; This is a pregnancy where the egg attaches outside the uterus, scroll down to learn more about ectopic pregnancies. Because of the health concerns and higher rate of noticeable symptoms, women are more likely to diagnosed with chlamydia and are recommended to be tested regularly.
Ectopic pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy can not proceed normally, the egg cannot survive, and the growth may become life threatening is not treated. Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy will not appear at first, signs and symptoms become apparent when the egg begins to grow. Early warning symptoms are vaginal bleeding during pregnancy and pain or pressure due to blood collecting in the uterus or fallopian tubes. If there is extreme light headedness, fating, or shock this may be a ruptured fallopian tube that will cause bleeding in the abdomen. It is best to check with a doctor once you know you are pregnant to make sure the egg is not positioned in a poor location (MFMER, 2020).
Risk
Anyone who has sex in any form may encounter chlamydia, it is more common in younger individuals and the LGBT+ community is at no hire of a risk, though being the most reported STI, the risk is still high. In 2020 there were 14,233 new cases of chlamydia in Kansas alone and has a prevalence rate of 539.9 per a 100,000 population across the entire US (CDC, 2019).
To reduce the likely hood of contracting Chlamydia, among other STIs, use a condom and limit sexual partners to reduce the likelihood of encountering an infected induvial. If there may of been risk of catching chlamydia watch for signs of discharge or burning when urinating; People with testicles may have pain or swelling in testicles, though this is not common. If there are signs of an infection it is important to contact your doctor for treatment.
Treatment
Chlamydia can be cured through treatment, using daily oral antibiotics chlamydia will be cured in 7 to 14 days. Even after treatment repeat infection is common and one should retest three months after ending treatment. If caught early the damage done to the uterus will be unnoticeable, though long term damage without treatment won’t be fixed. Men who have swelling or discomfort in the testicles rarely have enough damage to affect childbirth.
More information can be found on the CDC website and remember to check with a medical professional if there are any health concerns.
Sources
MFMER. (2020, December 18). Ectopic pregnancy. Retrieved March 15, 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/symptoms-causes/syc-20372088
CDC. (2019, August 20). Table 1 – 2018 sexually transmitted diseases surveillance. Retrieved March 15, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/std/stats18/tables/1.htm
CDC. (2014, January 23). Std facts – chlamydia. Retrieved March 15, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia.htm
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