Can Chlamydia Make You Infertile?

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK. As a result, it affects many people at some point during their adult life. Although it can easily be treated with a routine course of antibiotics, it often shows no signs or symptoms. For this reason, chlamydia can remain undiagnosed and may lead to complications such as infertility. 

In this article, the specialists at Your Sexual Health will discuss everything surrounding the link between chlamydia and infertility. So, can chlamydia make you infertile? 

Although the chlamydia bacterium itself does not cause infertility, if left untreated, it can lead to complications that can cause infertility. For women, this condition is known as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and in men, research shows that it can damage the DNA within sperm, leading to a high percentage of malformed and immobile cells.

Read on to find out more about the links between chlamydia and infertility, the symptoms that you should look out for and how it can be prevented.

Can Chlamydia Cause Infertility?

Although the chlamydia bacterium itself does not cause infertility, if left untreated, it can lead to complications that can cause infertility. It can affect women and men differently. 

To find out more about links between different STDs and infertility, check out our blog, where we go into more detail.

Can Chlamydia Make Women Infertile?

Yes, it can. If chlamydia is left untreated in women, it can develop into a condition known as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). PID can cause inflammation within the reproductive organs, including the womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries.

If this inflammation persists, it can eventually cause damaging scarring of the fallopian tubes, resulting in them becoming blocked. It’s this scarring and blocking which prevents the sperm from reaching the egg and, as a result, causes infertility. Another effect of PID is that it increases the risk of an ectopic pregnancy  – a pregnancy which develops in the fallopian tube rather than the womb. 

What are the Symptoms of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?

Although pelvic inflammatory disease may not cause symptoms specific to the condition, many women may notice mild symptoms. These can include: 

• Pain during sex that is felt deep within the pelvis
• Pain around the pelvis and lower abdomen
• Pain during urination
• Bleeding after sex and between periods
• Heavy or painful periods
• Vaginal discharge

Other symptoms can sometimes include more severe pain in the abdomen, fever and vomiting.

It’s worth noting that many of these symptoms can often be associated with other female health issues. Therefore, you must visit a doctor if you notice any of the above.

Can You Carry A Baby With Chlamydia?

While there is limited evidence to suggest that you can pass chlamydia on while the baby is within the womb, you can pass chlamydia on to your baby during delivery. As a baby passes through the birth canal, it will come into contact with the infected genital fluids. This could lead the baby to develop an eye or lung infection.

Can Chlamydia Make Men Infertile?

Chlamydia can also cause issues with the male reproductive organs. Research suggests that chlamydia bacteria can dramatically damage the DNA within sperm, leading to a high percentage of malformed and immobile cells. The effects can be reversed with effective antibiotic treatment, but only after effective testing and diagnosis.

There is also the risk of long-term damage to male fertility. It’s been proven that, when left untreated, chlamydia can cause a condition known as epididymitis. Similar to PID in women, the condition causes inflammation and scarring to the tubes that carry the sperm, resulting in infertility.

Find out how a chlamydia infection can affect men in one of our recent blogs.

What are The Symptoms of Epididymitis?

Epididymitis is often painful, making it easy to spot. Symptoms include: –

• Swollen, red or warm scrotum
• Painful urination and frequent urge to urinate
• Tenderness and pain of the testicles, usually on one side that comes on gradually
• Penile discharge
• Blood in the semen
• Abdominal or pelvic pain

The condition rarely causes reduced fertility in males; however, the longer you leave the symptoms without treatment, the more lasting the effects will likely be. This can include scarring of the internal tissue.

How Long Before Chlamydia Causes Infertility?

There is no definitive timeline for how long chlamydia can take to cause infertility. The NHS estimates that 1 in 10 women will develop PID within a year of contracting chlamydia. This is why it is so important to have an STI screening after every sexual encounter with a new partner to help catch and treat any STIs that may have been contracted.

How to Prevent Complications with Chlamydia?

The most effective way to prevent complications, including infertility, arising as a result of chlamydia is to avoid catching it through the practice of safe sex. This includes: 

• Always use a condom when having sex with a new partner
• Make sure your partner gets tested before having sex for the first time
• Getting tested regularly, at least once a year

However, even if you haven’t had sex with a new partner for a long time, you may have chlamydia without even realising it. The condition often shows no symptoms, and testing is the only effective way of diagnosing it. It’s still worth getting tested to avoid complications, particularly if you are trying to have a baby.

Chlamydia Testing at Your Sexual Health

Your Sexual Health has a wide range of private chlamydia tests, including home visits and postal test kits. Our service is entirely confidential and designed with your convenience in mind. Simply book your tests, and we will take care of the rest. Contact our customer services team to find out more.