Chlamydia is the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease in the United States. It’s estimated that more than 2 million cases occur throughout the country every year. However, just because it’s common doesn’t mean that it’s well understood by the general population. If you’ve been diagnosed with chlamydia, you likely have a lot of questions running through your mind. The best thing you can do is get answers from a reputable source.
Dr. Daniel Kushner specializes in STDs and can give you all the information you need. With two offices in White Plains, New York, and Queens in New York City, he helps people throughout the area stay sexually healthy. When it comes to STDs like chlamydia, he’s an expert in diagnosing and treating you so you can get back to your active, healthy life. Here’s what you need to know about chlamydia.
Chlamydia is transmitted from one person to another during sex — vaginal, anal, or oral. If you get it from your partner, symptoms generally show up within a few weeks of the time you were exposed. Those symptoms include pain or burning during urination and genital discharge for both men and women. Men may also have painful testicles, and women may have bleeding between periods.
However, chlamydia is notorious for being asymptomatic, which means you may have chlamydia and never even know it. And that’s dangerous, because left untreated, chlamydia can cause damage you might not catch until it’s too late.
This is why if you’re sexually active, you should come in to see Dr. Kushner for regular STD testing. Early diagnosis can prevent some severe complications.
Untreated chlamydia can infiltrate your uterus and fallopian tubes and result in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). If this happens, possible complications include:
So to answer the title question, yes, chlamydia can cause problems with fertility, among other things. The good news is that chlamydia is treatable. So being informed, getting regular screenings, and completing your treatment plan can save you from these extreme consequences.
If you happen to contract chlamydia while you’re pregnant, you need to know that you can pass the disease along to your baby during childbirth.
One way your chlamydia affects your baby is through the eyes. The infection is passed along through the mucous and the baby develops conjunctivitis.
Another way is through the lungs, and chlamydia can cause your baby to develop pneumonia.
Dr. Kushner can screen you for chlamydia during your pregnancy and offer you a safe treatment plan. However, it may be best to plan for a C-section to keep your baby safe during delivery.
If you have, or think you might have, chlamydia, call us today or book an appointment online. And just to be safe, come in for a screening even if you don’t have symptoms. It could save you, your partner, and your future baby a lot of pain.
