Chlamydia Trachomatis is a sexually transmitted infection that is caused by bacteria known as Chlamydia Trachomatis.
You may not be aware that you have chlamydia as most people do not display as symptoms of the disease.
However, symptoms can include discharge from the penis and vagina or genital pain.
Chlamydia Trachomatis usually affects younger women, however, it can also occur in men of all different ages. Whilst it is not too hard to treat, it can cause more serious health conditions if it is left untreated.
What Are The Symptoms Of Chlamydia?
Symptoms of Chlamydia Trachomatis are often undetectable within the earlier stages of infection and when signs do occur, they are often mild, which makes them far easier to overlook.
Common signs and symptoms of Chlamydia Trachomatis infection will include the following:
- Vaginal discharge within women that is abnormal or excessive.
- Pain during urination.
- Discharge from the penis.
- Painful intercourse for women.
- Bleeding in between periods or after sex.
- Testicular pain in men.
Chlamydia Trachomatis can also infect your rectum and this is usually symptomless. However, it can cause rectal pain, bleeding or discharge.
Chlamydia Trachomatis can also cause eye infections if you have come into contact with bodily fluids in this area.
When Should I See A Doctor?
You should visit your doctor if you begin to discharge from your penis, vagina, or rectum. You should also visit your doctor if you experience pain while urinating.
If you learn that your sexual partner has become infected, you should also visit your doctor, as they will usually prescribe you with a course of antibiotics irrespective of whether you are displaying symptoms.
What Are The Causes Of Chlamydia?
Chlamydia Trachomatis is most commonly transmitted via oral, anal and vaginal sex.
It is also possible for pregnant women to spread chlamydia to their children during the delivery process which can cause eye infections and/or pneumonia in newborn children.
What Are The Risk Factors For Developing Chlamydia?
There are several factors that enhance your risk of becoming infected with Chlamydia Trachomatis and these include the following:
- Being sexually active with multiple partners.
- Not usually a condom on a consistent basis.
- Being sexually active prior to age 25.
- Having a history of sexually transmitted infections.
What Are The Complications Associated With Chlamydia Trachomatis?
The contraction of Chlamydia Trachomatis can be associated with the following complications:
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. This is an infection of the fallopian tubes and uterus that can cause significant pelvic pain as well as fevers. More severe infections may require hospitalization in order to receive intravenous antibiotics. This disease can also cause permanent damage to the fallopian tubes, uterus and ovaries.
- Testicular infection. Chlamydia Trachomatis infection can inflame the tubes that are located besides your testicles. This infection results in serious scrotal swelling and pain, causing fever in some men.
- Prostate gland infection. The chlamydia organism can sometimes spread to a man’s prostate resulting in prostatitis. Prostatitis causes pain during intercourse, chills, pain during urination and pain in the lower back.
- Infections in babies. Newborns can be impacted by the chlamydia infection as it passes from the vaginal canal to them during the delivery process. This can lead to serious eye infections or pneumonia.
- Infertility. Chlamydia Trachomatis infection can cause infertility, especially in those who do not present symptoms of infection. This is because it causes scarring to the fallopian tubes when left untreated which can make a woman infertile.
- Reactive arthritis. Those who have Chlamydia Trachomatis are at an increased risk of developing reactive arthritis which is otherwise known as Reiter’s syndrome. This condition usually affects the eyes, urethra and joints.
- Ectopic pregnancy. This can occur whenever a fertilized egg grows externally to the uterus, typically within the fallopian tubes. This pregnancy will need to be removed in order to prevent any life-threatening scenarios like a burst tube. Chlamydia increases the chance of this happening tenfold.
How To Ensure That I Do Not Catch Chlamydia?
The best ways to ensure that you do not contract Chlamydia Trachomatis is to abstain from all sexual actives. However, you can also:
- Use A Condom. Using a latex condom is a the best way to stay safe during sexual contact. Whilst these reduce the risk of infection drastically, they do not eliminate the risk entirely.
- Limit Your Sexual Partners. Having sex with multiple partners puts you at a far higher risk of becoming infected with Chlamydia Trachomatis. Therefore, reducing your number of sexual partners is a good way to counter this risk.
- Get screened on a regular basis. If you become sexually active, you should consult with your doctor about how often you should be screened for STIs like Chlamydia Trachomatis.
- Avoid douching too regularly. Contrary to what you may believe, douching actually decreases the amount of good bacteria stored in the vagina which can increase your chance of being infected with Chlamydia Trachomatis.
Conclusion
To conclude, Chlamydia Trachomatis is a sexually transmitted disease that is transmitted during sexual contact.
If you wish to eliminate your chance of contracting Chlamydia Trachomatis, then you should follow the guidelines that I have outlined in this article.
Ever since I was a little girl, I have been fascinated by science. Every holiday I would ask for the newest science kit, and spend weeks learning with it.
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