Health problems from untreated chlamydia

It is important to treat Chlamydia as early as possible because if left untreated chlamydia can lead to other health problems some of which can damage a woman’s reproductive system.

Chlamydia infections can develop into the following complications in women:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): PID is when the reproductive organs above the cervix (i.e. fallopian tubes and ovaries) develop an infection. PID can cause a woman to have pregnancy problems, pelvic pain and can even lead to infertility. It is important to treat gonorrhea because in some women the symptoms of PID go unnoticed and can lead to irreparable damage.
• Infection to other parts of the body, like the bladder, blood, joints, or heart.
• Increased risk of contracting or spreading HIV.

Chlamydia infections can develop into the following complications in men:

• Infection of the urethra
• Prostatitis: swelling of the prostate gland
• Infertility

Chlamydia infections can develop into the following complications for both men and women:

• Throat infection via oral sex
• Proctitis: infection of rectal lining via anal sex
• Reiter’s syndrome: which can lead to arthritis, eye red, and urinary tract infections

Pregnant women infected with chlamydia are at a higher risk of delivering their babies prematurely and exposing their babies to complications such as:

• Conjunctivitis or pinkeye: Can lead to discharge from the eyes and swollen eyelids. Left untreated, it can lead to blindness.
• Pneumonia

Both of these infant health problems from chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics.