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The sub-fertility aftermath of Chlamydia infection

As shown above, the most feared complication of Chlamydia is sub-fertility. Between 10 and 30% of woman infected with Chlamydia will develop Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).  Many of these women do present for the first time with an ectopic pregnancy. Surgery to deal with this will show that the tubes have been damaged. Removal of the tube affected by the ectopic pregnancy is usually not the end of the matter because the woman remains at risk of ectopic pregnancy in the remaining tube.

 

In some cases, the gynecologist may suggest removing the other tube as well to prevent the likelihood of a repeat ectopic pregnancy. Damage caused by the inflammation from the infection is not usually amenable to corrective surgery.

 

Other women will present with inability to conceive and investigations may reveal that the damage to the tubes from the infection has left both blocked and non-functional.

 

In all these cases, the woman is usually left with only the option of assisted conception via IVF. This, of-course, is an expensive option likely to take a considerable financial and emotional toll. It is also not guaranteed to succeed. In some poorer countries, this option may simply be unavailable leaving the woman permanently infertile.

 

Chlamydia and the Knee joint

Apart from the genital tract, Chlamydia can also cause problems in other parts of the body. The knee and other large joints sometimes develop inflammation, swelling and pain as a result of Chlamydia infection in the pelvic cavity.

 

This is actually reactive arthritis as the joint itself is not infected. It is therefore an autoimmune condition in reaction to an infection somewhere else in the body, in this case, the genital tract. There could also be inflammation of the eyes (conjunctivitis or uveitis) forming a condition known as Reiter’s Syndrome. This is far more common in men than women.

 

Next Section: Prenatal Diagnosis of Down’s Syndrome 

 

 

 

 

 

Chlamydia infection may  affect fertility to such an extent that IVF becomes the only option