Risks and Complications Of Chlamydia

Who Is At Risk For Chlamydia?

Anyone that engages in vaginal, anal, or oral sex is potentially at risk for getting chlamydia. Due to immature cervixes, sexually active young woman and teenage girls have the greatest risk of contracting chlamydia, although anyone that engages in unprotected sex, regardless of age, is at risk. Improper usage, or lack of condom usage increases your chances of being infected with the disease.

Complications Of Chlamydia

Chlamydia can weaken an immune system and because of this it is often found in combination with one or more other sexually transmitted infections such as HIV or gonorrhea.

For some women, clamydia can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) which can lead to hospitalization in extreme infections. PID causes high fevers and severe pain around the pelvic area.

For men, chlamydia can lead to infections in both the prostate gland as well as on or around the testicles (epididymitis). Both of these infections cause pain and discomfort around the testicles and anal cavity.

Pregnant women can pass a chlamydia infection to their newborn during childbirth, causing serious health risks for the baby. Immediate treatment of chlamydia is necessary to protect the health of an unborn child.

In rare cases, chlamydia can render both men and women infertile, leaving them unable to ever reproduce. Chlamydia can damage the urethra, vaginal walls, fallopian tubes and uterus, lowering the potential for complication-free births.

Not only does chlamydia put those inflicted with it at a higher risk for other sexually transmitted infections, it also puts them at risk for developing long term adverse health affects such as Reiter's syndrome, also known as reactive artritis.