Understanding Chlamydia
Chlamydia - the hidden scourge
Women in particular often suffer from chlamydia. Because it is very difficult to detect early and a chlamydia infection can incubate for many years without presenting symptoms, more people carry these bacteria than they think.
Young women are particularly susceptible, because the immune system of their not yet matured sexual organs is not fit enough to fight an infection. According to a study conducted in Berlin, between 10 and 20% of 17-year-old girls are infected.
Chlamydia is contracted ...
through unprotected sexual intercourse. Even infected hands can transmit the bacteria, to the eyes for example. Conjunctivitis can thus present as a symptom of chlamydia.
The risk of other sexually transmitted diseases in
Someone suffering from chlamydia (perhaps even without knowing it) is exposed to a greater risk of contracting other STDs. An infection weakens the mucous membranes, thereby increasing susceptibility to other unpleasant sexually transmitted diseases.
Chlamydia symptoms
Where a chlamydia infection presents its symptoms, these are often pronounced. However, the symptoms coincide with those of other diseases.
- Vomiting and nausea, together with a vaginal infection
- Contact bleeding during sex
- Thick yellow discharge (increasingly)
- If the cervix is affected: increased or unusual discharge
- Pain in the lower abdomen (from mild to severe)
- Pain when passing water
- Increased urge to pass water
- Irregular menstruation
Risk of inflammation of the ovaries
Chlamydia infections often cause inflammation of the ovaries.
A Swedish study shows that with each inflammation the risk of infertility increases drastically. The risk is 15% with the first inflammation and 50% with the third inflammation.
The risk of chlamydia is increased by ...
- Heavy smoking
- Malnutrition
- Hormone disorders caused by eating problems
Chlamydia test for both partners
If you have chlamydia, your partner must also be tested for it. Otherwise, after a successful treatment with antibiotics, you run the risk of being infected again. Treating chlamydia with antibiotics is in most cases successful and does not give rise to any complications. Damage that has already been incurred, however, cannot be rectified.
