Complications that can occur from untreated chlamydia infections
If Chlamydia is left untreated, it can result in much more serious complications. (It is important to read this information)
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
PID occurs when the Chlamydia infection travels upwards into the female reproductive organs. Reports show that this complication develops in almost 40% of women who do not receive medical treatment. The damage caused by PID can lead to infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and potentially fatal ectopic pregnancies.
Higher risk of contracting HIV
Women infected with chlamydia are also up to five times more likely to contract HIV if exposed, than women with a healthy reproductive system.
Male fertility problems
Untreated Chlamydia can affect male fertility. In fact, chlamydia is the most common cause of inflammation in the testicles and the epididymo-orchitis (sperm-conducting tubes) in men under the age of 35. This condition causes swelling, redness and pain on the affected side of the scrotum, or on both sides.
Further infection
Untreated chlamydia in men frequently causes infection of the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the body). Infection sometimes spreads to the tube that carries sperm from the scrotums. This may cause fever, pain and possibly infertility. Untreated chlamydia infections can also cause inflammation of the bladder.
In some rare cases, Chlamydia infection can be the cause of arthritis. This can be accompanied with nasty skin lesions and inflammation of the eye and urethra (also know as Reiter's syndrome)
Complications for new born babies
Similar to gonorrhea (gonorrhea treatment), chlamydia is also responsible for an increased risk of premature birth. In many cases the new born is also likely to contract the infection while traveling through the birth canal. This can lead to serious eye injury or pneumonia.
"Untreated chlamydia is only a problem if you do not get it treated!"