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6 signs and symptoms of chlamydia every woman needs to know

Chlamydia can adversely affect a woman's reproductive health if it goes untreated. These are the signs and symptoms of this sexually transmitted infection (STI) you need to be aware about.

Written by Anuradha Varanasi | Updated : March 14, 2016 11:16 PM IST

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6 Signs And Symptoms Of Chlamydia Every Woman Should Be Aware About

Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can affect both, men and women. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 101 million people globally are diagnosed with Chlamydia every single year. Studies from India have revealed the prevalence of the Chlamydia is around 23 % in gynaecology outpatient departments (OPD) and 19.9 % in STD patients [1]. While 70-80% of women who have Chlamydia are asmptomatic, Dr Uma Vaidyanathan, Consultant Gynaecologist, Max Hospital, Delhi, says, these are the six signs and symptoms of Chlamydia that you need to know about.

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Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility: PID is the inflammation of the female reproductive organs and is a serious complication of Chlamydia that can make it impossible to conceive or get pregnant later on. The C. trachomatis bacteria is the leading cause of PID and female infertility worldwide as 20% of women who develop PID become infertile and 18% develop chronic pelvic pain [2] . Another study revealed that more than 13.5% of women less than 25 years old diagnosed with Chlamydia have lower genital tract infection [3].  Also Read - Planning a baby after 35? Experts explain risks, fertility changes and ways to have a healthy pregnancy

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Ectopic Pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy: An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the embryo or the fertilized egg attaches itself on either one of the fallopian tubes or in a place other than the insides of the uterus. This is a major risk factor in women suffering from Chlamydia, if it goes untreated, says Dr Vaidyanathan. In very rare cases can a baby survive in the case of an ectopic pregnancy.

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Lower Abdominal Pain

Lower abdomen pain: Abdominal pain could be the sign of various health issues and it is difficult to pinpoint what might be causing it. However, if you notice pain in your lower abdomen along with any other symptoms related to chlamydia, it would be a smart decision to consult your gynaecologist.

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Vaginal Discharge

Vaginal discharge: This is one of the first symptoms to look out for in the case of any sexually transmitted infection (STI). Doctors say if your discharge isn’t clear and is yellow or greenish in colour along with a foul smell, it could be a sign of an STI and in such cases, the patient is put on anti-microbial treatment.  Also Read - Is it normal to hear cracking sound from your body during exercise?

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Painful Urination

Painful urination: If you’re experiencing a lot of pain while trying to urinate, immediately consult your doctor as it could be a sign of Chlamydia.