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Chlamydia complications and transmission
Hello,
I just received a positive chlamydia test result and have been treated with a single dose of 1 g azithromycin.
I received a negative result at my last test 18 months ago and the only person I have had sexual intercourse with is my (now ex)-boyfriend. He had thought he tested negative for everything when we were both checked prior to initiating unprotected sex 18 months ago. However, it turns out he was only tested for viral disease via blood work (HIV, HSV, Hep B/C). Thus, it's likely I have had this infection for 18 months - worst case scenario since I know I was negative 19 months ago.
The only symptoms I have had to date is spotting/light bleeding between periods the last two months.
Based on this, is there some comfort that I may have caught this before it caused real damage to my reproductive organs? I am very concerned as I am 31 and would like to become pregnant in the next few years.
Also, I have not had any intercourse in four months since my BF and I broke up.
The only contact I have had is finger penetration with a male of unknown status. If he had touched himself prior to finger penetration, is it possible I may have become infected this way? This contact was about three months ago and my symptoms began about a month and a half ago. Timing wise it seems to point to this episode but it makes more sense that is was from sexual intercourse with my ex.
My ex is being tested tomorrow so this will answer some questions. I am concerned mostly for my reproductive health. If I do not have any pelvic pain now and the chlamydia is being cured starting today, can I safely assume I will not experience PID?
Thanks.
I just received a positive chlamydia test result and have been treated with a single dose of 1 g azithromycin.
I received a negative result at my last test 18 months ago and the only person I have had sexual intercourse with is my (now ex)-boyfriend. He had thought he tested negative for everything when we were both checked prior to initiating unprotected sex 18 months ago. However, it turns out he was only tested for viral disease via blood work (HIV, HSV, Hep B/C). Thus, it's likely I have had this infection for 18 months - worst case scenario since I know I was negative 19 months ago.
The only symptoms I have had to date is spotting/light bleeding between periods the last two months.
Based on this, is there some comfort that I may have caught this before it caused real damage to my reproductive organs? I am very concerned as I am 31 and would like to become pregnant in the next few years.
Also, I have not had any intercourse in four months since my BF and I broke up.
The only contact I have had is finger penetration with a male of unknown status. If he had touched himself prior to finger penetration, is it possible I may have become infected this way? This contact was about three months ago and my symptoms began about a month and a half ago. Timing wise it seems to point to this episode but it makes more sense that is was from sexual intercourse with my ex.
My ex is being tested tomorrow so this will answer some questions. I am concerned mostly for my reproductive health. If I do not have any pelvic pain now and the chlamydia is being cured starting today, can I safely assume I will not experience PID?
Thanks.
Thank you, Dr. Handsfield.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Yes, I think it is probable that your Fallopian tubes are fine; as I said, the large majority of women who have had chlamydia have no fertility problem. Chlamydia undoubtedly has been infecting people's genital tracts throughout human history, and until the past 50 years, none of those infections were treated. And although some women with unexplained infertility undoubtedly were experiencing the effects of past chlamydia, most kept producing babies and the world's population exploded.
Most ObG's and infertility experts would not recommend a pelvic ultrasound just because a woman had had a single chlamydial infection, and evaluation of women's fertility is not my expertise. I don't know how effective an ultrasound examination is in detecting tubal blockage or scarring in this situation. This is something you will need to discuss with your gynecologist.
Most ObG's and infertility experts would not recommend a pelvic ultrasound just because a woman had had a single chlamydial infection, and evaluation of women's fertility is not my expertise. I don't know how effective an ultrasound examination is in detecting tubal blockage or scarring in this situation. This is something you will need to discuss with your gynecologist.
Thanks, Dr. Handsfield.
It is unfortunate because I have suspected that my ex may have been unfaithful which is one of the reasons why I ended the relationship.
Of course I am now being tested for everything else too and am awaiting results. He of course denies any cheating and I unfortunately have no proof.
If he did cheat, I suspect it happened sometime around October/November. Is this still a plausible time frame?
I guess I am just confused as to why all of a sudden I'd have bleeding in June when the last intercourse was in mid-March and the suspected cheating (if it did occur) I believe would have been in October or November. I tested negative for HPV and gonorrhea, positive for bacterial vaginosis and chlamydia. I am awaiting the test results from the rest of the panel.
Thank you for the reassuring words about my reproductive health. I am sad because I am an extremely safe person and I want nothing more than to have children some day. I am still in shock that I was infected with chlamydia. How long after treatment (today) can I expect the bleeding to stop?
If I have not had the fever or severe abdominal pain you mention, do you think it's likely my Fallopian tubes are okay? Wondering if I should have an ultrasound once this clears.
Many thanks again
It is unfortunate because I have suspected that my ex may have been unfaithful which is one of the reasons why I ended the relationship.
Of course I am now being tested for everything else too and am awaiting results. He of course denies any cheating and I unfortunately have no proof.
If he did cheat, I suspect it happened sometime around October/November. Is this still a plausible time frame?
I guess I am just confused as to why all of a sudden I'd have bleeding in June when the last intercourse was in mid-March and the suspected cheating (if it did occur) I believe would have been in October or November. I tested negative for HPV and gonorrhea, positive for bacterial vaginosis and chlamydia. I am awaiting the test results from the rest of the panel.
Thank you for the reassuring words about my reproductive health. I am sad because I am an extremely safe person and I want nothing more than to have children some day. I am still in shock that I was infected with chlamydia. How long after treatment (today) can I expect the bleeding to stop?
If I have not had the fever or severe abdominal pain you mention, do you think it's likely my Fallopian tubes are okay? Wondering if I should have an ultrasound once this clears.
Many thanks again
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question, which came in while I was on the forum. (Most users shouldn't expect such prompt replies!)
It is unusual for chlamydia to persist for 18 months. Most infections are cleared by the immune system with several months to a year. Certainly your fingering exposure 3 months ago is not a plausible source of infection, so I agree the most likely source was your ex partner. As you can imagine, it's very common that people begin new sexual relationships as existing ones wind down, and my guess is you were infected soon before your relationship ended with your ex partner. (Spontaneous cure within a few weeks or months is common in men, so it won't mean much if his test is negative.)
Although 4-6 months is plenty of time for tubal damage to occur, most infections, even prolonged ones, do not result in significant Fallopian tube damage, especially when there are no overt symptoms of PID like lower abdominal pain and fever. The large majority of women who have had chlamdia (well over 90%) have no trouble conceiving. In response to your closing question, once treated with azithromycin there's no chance of PID.
So my advice is to go forward without worry about all this. If and when you attempt to conceive and are unsuccessful after a year or so, that's the time to consult an infertility expert. Even then, chlamydia may not be an important consideration. As you undboutedly know, conception tends to be slower for women in their thirties than earlier.
Finally, of course your partner also needs treatment (even if his test is negative); and both of you should be retested in about 3-4 months. Although treatment failure with azithromycin is rare, it can occur and sometimes doesn't show up until 3+ months.
I hope this has helped. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
It is unusual for chlamydia to persist for 18 months. Most infections are cleared by the immune system with several months to a year. Certainly your fingering exposure 3 months ago is not a plausible source of infection, so I agree the most likely source was your ex partner. As you can imagine, it's very common that people begin new sexual relationships as existing ones wind down, and my guess is you were infected soon before your relationship ended with your ex partner. (Spontaneous cure within a few weeks or months is common in men, so it won't mean much if his test is negative.)
Although 4-6 months is plenty of time for tubal damage to occur, most infections, even prolonged ones, do not result in significant Fallopian tube damage, especially when there are no overt symptoms of PID like lower abdominal pain and fever. The large majority of women who have had chlamdia (well over 90%) have no trouble conceiving. In response to your closing question, once treated with azithromycin there's no chance of PID.
So my advice is to go forward without worry about all this. If and when you attempt to conceive and are unsuccessful after a year or so, that's the time to consult an infertility expert. Even then, chlamydia may not be an important consideration. As you undboutedly know, conception tends to be slower for women in their thirties than earlier.
Finally, of course your partner also needs treatment (even if his test is negative); and both of you should be retested in about 3-4 months. Although treatment failure with azithromycin is rare, it can occur and sometimes doesn't show up until 3+ months.
I hope this has helped. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
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