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Chlamydia in women is an infectious disease that is provoked by the penetration into the body of pathogens belonging to the group of chlamydia. Chlamydia can affect almost all systems: genitourinary, cardiovascular, respiratory, visual, and also the musculoskeletal system. Of particular prevalence is urogenital chlamydia, a characteristic symptom of which is glassy discharge from the vagina.
Chlamydial infection is a serious health hazard, as it causes many different complications. A woman can develop an ascending urinary tract infection, infertility, and other serious reproductive problems. Chlamydia is neither a virus nor a bacteria. However, these microorganisms have the ability to have a pathological effect not only on the genitals, but also on the lungs, heart, kidneys, joints, teeth, etc.
Most often, these pathogens affect the genitourinary system of women, causing them to have a disease called chlamydia. Its insidiousness also lies in the fact that it can proceed either with minimal symptoms, or without them at all. It is possible to determine the presence of a parasitic microorganism only after passing the tests.
According to statistics, the issue of urogenital chlamydia is very acute. The disease affects both men and women aged 20 to 40 years, but women are most susceptible to the disease. Often this infection is found in adolescents. Every year, up to 90 million new cases of infection are diagnosed, and those people who have problems with immunity are more susceptible to the disease.
The first signs and symptoms of chlamydia in women
The characteristic manifestations of chlamydia in women may be absent altogether. Only 33% of infected patients report pathological symptoms. The latent course is very dangerous not only for the patient herself, but also for her sexual partner. In addition, undiagnosed chlamydia before pregnancy can harm the baby in the womb.
The following diseases can be signs of infection:
Colpitis. Microorganisms parasitize not only in the vagina itself, causing inflammation, but also in the glands located next to it. The symptoms of chlamydial colpitis are especially pronounced during pregnancy, during menopause and in childhood, that is, in all conditions when there is a lack of estrogen in the body. Patients complain of a burning sensation and itching in the vaginal area, pain in the lower back and lower abdomen. Perhaps a slight increase in body temperature and urination disorders. See also: colpitis in women – what is it, what are the symptoms, how to treat?
Cervicitis. The longer microorganisms are present in the genitals, the larger areas they cover, eventually reaching the cervical canal. The uterus itself becomes edematous and inflamed, increases in size. If a woman does not receive proper treatment, then this pathological process leads to the development of erosion.
Endometritis, salpingoophoritis, salpingitis. If the infection moves up the genital tract and at the same time the immune forces of the female body cannot cope with it, then serious diseases may develop. A gynecologist can detect their presence.
There are also certain disorders on the part of the female reproductive system – these are pathological pains, itching and burning in the genital area. Sometimes the body temperature rises. However, self-monitoring of the discharge will not give a woman the information that she has chlamydia. In addition to this infection, there may be others in the body, for example, trichomoniasis, herpes, thrush, gonorrhea, etc.
You can suspect chlamydia by the following signs:
An increase in body temperature to subfebrile marks. This is observed during exacerbation of the pathological process;
Pain may occur. They have varying degrees of intensity. The place of their localization is the lower abdomen, lower back;
If the urethra is involved in the process of inflammation, then the manifestations of chlamydia may be similar to those of cystitis. That is, at the beginning and at the end of the act of urination, a woman will experience cutting pains;
Normal vaginal discharge is represented by leucorrhoea. When infected, they can become mucopurulent, as indicated by their yellow tint and unpleasant odor. In such favorable conditions, not only chlamydia, but also other infectious agents can multiply;
In the genital area there is a burning sensation, a feeling of discomfort;
Erosion of the cervix may indicate chlamydia. However, this symptom can only be detected by a doctor during the examination.
How long does it take for chlamydia to show up?
After penetrating the female genital tract, chlamydia takes a certain time to begin to actively multiply. Most often, the incubation period is two weeks after unprotected intercourse with a carrier of the infection has occurred. Although this time can stretch up to a month.
Once in the body of its host, chlamydia goes through several successive stages:
Penetration of the microorganism into the mucous membrane;
Reproduction inside the cell. This process in chlamydia has certain differences when compared with viruses and bacteria. Chlamydia, represented in the human body by reticular bodies, begin to actively divide, if there are favorable conditions for this. At the same time, after 2-3 days, the cell in which chlamydia lived dies;
The last stage is the inflammation of the mucous membrane of the organ that has been affected. When the cell dies, the reticular bodies come out of it and attack the new, healthy cells.
Thus, the reproduction of microorganisms takes place, for the beginning of which they will need an average of 14 days.
Causes of Chlamydia Infection
The causes of infection with chlamydia directly depend on how contact with the pathogenic microorganism occurred. He himself is represented by a small pathogenic agent that parasitizes in the cells of the human body.
There are four ways in which infection can occur:
The most common way chlamydia is transmitted is through sexual contact. In the process of inflammation, the mucous membrane of the woman’s vagina is first involved, and then the infection spreads further. Fallopian tubes, urethra, and cervical canal are also affected. As the disease progresses, various complications develop, up to infertility. Sexual contact with a male carrier without a condom will inevitably lead to infection. This applies to oral, anal and genital sex. Only the location of inflammation will depend on the type of contact;
The transmission of chlamydia from a sick mother to a newborn child during its passage through the genital tract is not excluded. After birth, the baby often develops chlamydial conjunctivitis, possibly involving the respiratory system in the process. Some experts are of the opinion that infection can occur already while the child is in the womb, but this fact is not scientifically confirmed;
There is also no evidence that the disease can be transmitted through household contact. However, this possibility cannot be completely ruled out. This applies to the use of the same linen, personal hygiene items, which were also used by an infected person. Intrafamilial infection through toiletry or bedding is possible, but this happens quite rarely. Especially dangerous are people who actively excrete chlamydia into the external environment. It has been proven that these microorganisms are capable of maintaining their vital activity on natural tissues for up to 48 hours, if at this time the ambient temperature is 18-19 ° C;
It is possible to get infected with chlamydia by airborne droplets, but this happens extremely rarely, since only patients with chlamydial pneumonia are the source.
The consequences of chlamydia for women
Complications of chlamydia in women can be very serious and directly depend on how long the pathogen has been in the body. Chlamydia causes a variety of lesions of the female reproductive system.
The higher the infection spreads, the larger areas it covers:
As the cervix becomes involved in the inflammatory process, a woman may develop endocervicitis. In addition, the risk of developing cervical neoplasms increases several times;
If the mucous membrane of the uterine cavity is affected, then the woman develops endometritis;
With the defeat of the fallopian tubes, salpingitis is formed, and salpingo-oophoritis – with inflammation of the uterine appendages. This further leads to the formation of adhesions and cicatricial changes in the fallopian tubes. As a result, the woman is diagnosed with tubal infertility. Possible ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage;
Chlamydia can spread not only through the genitourinary system, but also affect other organs, such as the pharynx, intestines, joints, kidneys, bronchi, etc. This leads to the development of ophthalmic chlamydia, chlamydial pneumonia, etc .;
Possible deformation of the urethra with subsequent violations of urination. So, penetrating into its mucous membrane, chlamydia destroy normal cells, which are subsequently replaced by scar tissue. As a result, the channel narrows, which provokes problems with emptying the bladder. This is expressed in pain, frequent trips to the toilet with the release of small portions of urine, in a false urge to urinate. In addition, there is an increased risk of secondary infection – cystitis, and subsequently pyelonephritis;
Local protection of the vagina and internal genital organs of a woman falls due to the negative influence of chlamydia. As a result, a favorable environment is formed there for the reproduction of opportunistic flora, which previously did not harm the health of a woman. A frequent companion of chlamydia is vaginal candidiasis;
Reiter’s disease is a complication of chlamydia, which is expressed in arthritis, urethritis and conjunctivitis.
If we turn to statistics, then chlamydial inflammation in 50% of cases becomes the cause of infertility and in 40% – the cause of various gynecological diseases.
Diagnosis of chlamydia in women
The detection of chlamydia in women is the responsibility of a gynecologist. To do this, it is necessary to examine the total cytological smear from the vagina and cervix. According to the results of this analysis, the infection cannot be detected, but its presence can be suspected. The smear will reveal an increase in the level of leukocytes. In addition, the doctor will be able to see signs of inflammation during a standard examination. Suspicion of chlamydia is a reason for contacting a venereologist.
The venereologist in the diagnosis of the disease uses the following methods:
Linked immunosorbent assay. A simple and inexpensive way to detect infection, but a false negative result is not ruled out;
The PCR method is more reliable in terms of detecting chlamydia. It is carried out quickly enough and at this point in time is the most reliable and frequently used method for determining chlamydia;
Transcriptional amplification. A new molecular method for detecting infection that allows the detection of microorganism RNA in endocervical material. The reliability of this method is 99%.
If the diagnosis in a woman is confirmed, then it will be necessary to check the permanent sexual partner as well. In 80% of cases, a man is also a carrier of the infection.
Mistakes in diagnostics
Treating chlamydia in women is not an easy task. The fact is that even the most modern antibacterial drugs are not always effective enough. The inflammatory process can be extinguished, but not get rid of it. This causes acute chlamydia to become chronic, which is very difficult to cure.
The leading role in prescribing the right treatment is occupied by high-quality diagnostics. It often happens that it is at this stage that mistakes are made:
Test systems may be of poor quality. Sometimes errors occur due to the inexperience of diagnostic laboratory assistants. Often the rules for delivering material for analysis to the laboratory suffer;
As a result of incorrect diagnosis – ineffective treatment and aggravation of the pathological process;
Sometimes therapy is terminated prematurely. As a result, the woman remains undertreated, and the next time chlamydia will be already immune to the drug used;
Test results may be misinterpreted. If, after the complex treatment regimen, chlamydia is found again in the research materials, then immediately prescribing another course of antibiotics does not make sense. First of all, you need to send a woman for re-testing, as there is a risk of a diagnostic error.
How to treat chlamydia in women?
About how to treat chlamydia in women, only a doctor takes treatment. It is not possible to recommend any single treatment regimen, since it simply does not exist. The therapy is built on the basis of an integrated approach. It is important to take into account the state of the patient’s immunity, the presence of concomitant diseases.
Taking antibiotics. Antibiotics are used to treat chlamydia, but not every drug is suitable, but only one that can kill the microorganism inside the cell. Most often, agents from the group of macrolides, tetracyclines or fluoroquinolones are prescribed. It is also important to conduct tests for the detection of other sexually transmitted infectious diseases. This allows you to choose the most effective remedy.
Taking antimycotic drugs. Antifungal agents are used as part of complex therapy. This is because chlamydia is often accompanied by a fungal infection.
Immunomodulatory drugs. Immunostimulants and immunomodulators are widely used for the treatment of the disease. This is true for both chronic and acute forms of infection. After taking the drug in the body, an increased production of antibodies begins, the body’s resistance to other infections increases. Recovery occurs in a shorter time, and side effects from taking drugs are reduced. However, it should be understood that immunomodulators should be prescribed by a doctor. Their independent reception is not allowed.
Adjuvant medications: enzymes to normalize the process of digestion, hepatoprotectors, bacteriophages, probiotics.
If cervical lesions of any nature are detected, then before starting treatment, it is necessary to wait for the results of colposcopy and cytology. This will make it possible to exclude cancer. If the result is negative, then the therapy is supplemented with enzymes that enhance proliferation. Local treatment is also prescribed, aimed at the destruction of the affected tissues.
Answers to popular questions
Can you have sex with chlamydia? With such a disease, sexual life is completely prohibited. This applies to both partners, since chlamydia is easily transmitted during any type of sexual contact.
Is it possible to get chlamydia through the home? This is possible, although it is extremely rare. The fact is that chlamydia live for a long time on moist matter, from where they get on the skin of a healthy person. It remains only to rub your eyes with your hands, and the microbe falls on your favorite epithelium.
Is chlamydia transmitted by kissing? Theoretically, it is possible, but this probability is extremely small. In order for infection to occur through kissing, the saliva of an infected person must contain chlamydia in a sufficiently high concentration. This happens in very rare cases, with severe forms of generalized chlamydia.
Can you get pregnant with chlamydia? Yes, you can.
Can you get chlamydia through oral sex? Yes, you can. The main areas affected by chlamydia are the urethra in men and the vulva in women.