Chlamydia is one of the sexually transmitted diseases (STD) more common than exists and is caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis, which is transmitted during sexual contact. It can affect both women and men and cause severe damage to the health of the reproductive system if it is not treated prematurely and with the appropriate medication; in the case of women, it can hinder the process of becoming pregnant in the future if it is not cured as required. To learn more about how this infection affects the female sex, at FastlyHealwe, explain in detail what are the symptoms and treatment of Chlamydia in women.
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Chlamydia transmission and symptoms in women
Chlamydia is a disease that can spread to maintaining vaginal, anal, or oral contact with an infected person. There is also a risk of contagion if sex toys that have not been previously washed or are not covered with a new condom are shared between each person who uses it. In this way, anyone with an active sex life can contract Chlamydia, and the chances are increased if you have a more significant number of sexual partners; In addition, it has been noted that both adolescents and young women are at increased risk of infection because the full development of their cervix has not occurred.
On the other hand, pregnant women infected with Chlamydia can also transmit it to the baby during delivery, leading to a possible eye infection or pneumonia in the newborn. In addition, suffering from this STD during pregnancy increases the chances of giving birth prematurely.
Most women with Chlamydia have no symptoms and are unaware that they have contracted the infection, diagnosed during a routine gynecological test. However, when there are symptoms, these usually appear after 5 and 10 days after the onset of the condition, and the most common in the case of women are the following:
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Pain or burning during urination.
- I need to urinate more often.
- Pain when having sexual intercourse.
- Abnormal bleeding between menstrual periods or after sexual intercourse.
- Abdominal pain.
- Pain in the rectum
- Swelling inside the vagina or around the anus.
In addition to these symptoms, in some cases, Chlamydia can cause diarrhea, redness, itching, and eye discharge if it affects the eyes or pain and discomfort in the throat if the infection damages this part.
Before the manifestation of any of the symptoms described, it is essential to consult with the doctor or gynecologist for a thorough examination and start the appropriate treatment in case of infection.
Chlamydia treatment
To diagnose Chlamydia, the doctor may order a urinalysis or use a swab to take samples of cells from the cervix and examine them later in the laboratory.
When the infection exists, the treatment of Chlamydia is based exclusively on taking antibiotic drugs, which kill the causative bacteria ultimately. It is essential to carry out the treatment following the doctor’s instructions and respecting both the dose and the established duration, even when the symptoms have disappeared. Otherwise, the infection may not be completely cured.
In addition to antibiotics, it is necessary to schedule follow-up visits with the doctor to ensure that the infection has disappeared and have the diagnostic tests again about 3 to 4 months after the treatment. As it is a sexually transmitted disease, the partner of the person with Chlamydia should also receive timely treatment to prevent possible infections and prevent it from becoming a recurrent condition. Likewise, it is essential to suspend sexual intercourse until the treatment has been completed and the disease has been cured; it is advisable to speak with the doctor to find out when it is advisable to resume sex.
It is necessary to treat Chlamydia early because if it is not appropriately cured and the infection progresses, it could cause severe health and reproductive problems in women in the short and long term. Complications include pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) if the infection spreads through the uterus or fallopian tubes, chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy that develops outside the womb).
Measures to prevent Chlamydia
As with other sexually transmitted diseases, the only sure way to prevent Chlamydia is to protect yourself by using a condom when having sex, whether vaginal, anal, or oral. Sex toys should not be shared with other people, and it is essential to wash them properly before and after each use.
It is also possible to ensure that you have a lower risk of contracting the infection if you have a long-term monogamous relationship with a person who has already had tests that have ruled out the suffering of this STD.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Chlamydia in women: symptoms and treatment, we recommend that you enter our category of the Female reproductive system.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.