Chlamydia in Women

Chlamydia is one of the most extended sexually transmitted infections. It often goes unnoticed and that is the main reason why it spreads so easily among sexually active women. Fortunately diagnosis and treatment are easily available; in some countries, like the UK, the health service offers free STD screening and treatment.

It is estimated that about 2.3 million people in the United States are infected with chlamydia.

How do women get Chlamydia?

You get chlamydia just like any other STI: by having unprotected sex with somebody who is already infected.

Chlamydia can be passed during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

Chlamydia can also be transmitted from an infected mother to her baby during natural childbirth.

• Anyone who is sexually active.
• The greater the number of sex partners, the more important the risk of infection.
  
• Younger girls who are sexually active are at more risk because their cervix is not fully mature meaning that it can be more susceptible to infection.
• People who do not wear a condom throughout.
• Drug users. 

Notice that women between the ages of 15 and 24  have the highest chlamydia rate of all age groups and both sexes.

STD testing

Chlamydia testing is either done through a urine test or through a swab from the inside of the cervix in women.  The sample is then analyzed in a laboratory.

About three quarters of infected women have no symptoms.

Sometimes within 1 to 3 weeks after exposure to the Chlamydia bacteria, women who have symptoms might experience an abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when urinating because the bacteria infect the urethra. When the infection spreads from the cervix to the fallopian tubes, some other symptoms can be:

• lower abdominal pain,
• low back pain,
• nausea,
• fever,
• pain during intercourse, or
• bleeding between menstrual periods.

If untreated, Chlamydia can progress to serious reproductive and other health problems with both short-term and long-term consequences.

• In about 40% of women with untreated Chlamydia, the infection can spread into the uterus or fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which in turn can cause permanent damage to the fallopian tubes, uterus, and surrounding tissues.
• PID can lead to chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and increases the risk of having an ectopic pregnancy.
• Women infected with Chlamydia are up to five times more likely to become infected with HIV, if exposed.

• To help prevent the serious consequences of Chlamydia, screening at least annually is recommended for all sexually active women age 25 years and younger.
• An annual screening test also is recommended for older women with risk factors which include multiple sex partners.
• All pregnant women should have a screening test for Chlamydia because Babies who are born to infected mothers can get chlamydial infections in their eyes and respiratory tracts.