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The Complications of Untreated Chlamydia

The Complications of Untreated Chlamydia

By Rebekah Kendal.

We take a closer look at the complications that men and women might experience as a result of untreated chlamydia.

Because at least half of the people with chlamydia don’t experience any symptoms, it is possible to have the infection without realising it.  According to Dr Elna Rudolph, a medical doctor and sexologist from My Sexual Health, it is possible to develop complications over time if the infection goes untreated, particularly if you get infected repeatedly.

Complications in women

  • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): “The most serious complication is PID,” says Rudolph, “where the infection goes into the fallopian tubes and around the ovaries and other areas in the pelvis.”
  • Infertility: PID can cause scarring and obstruction in the fallopian tubes, which can result in infertility. It can also increase your risk of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy.
  • Bartholin’s cyst: Untreated chlamydia can cause the glands that produce lubricating mucus during sex, Bartholin’s glands, to become blocked, resulting in a cyst. An abscess may form if the cyst becomes infected.
  • Increased risk of STIs: “If you have untreated chlamydia, you are actually at much higher risk of contracting other infections such as gonorrhoea and HIV,” explains Rudolph.
  • Infection in newborns: Chlamydia can be passed from a mother to her child during delivery. According to Rudolph, this usually results in an eye infection, which can be treated with an antibiotic ointment.

Complications in men

  • Epididymitis and prostatitis: “Chlamydia can cause infections of the epididymis, the sperm pipe next to the testicles, or an infection in the prostate that can cause pain during intercourse, fever and chills,” says Rudolph.
  • Urethritis: Inflammation of the urethra (urine tube) is most commonly caused by chlamydia. Symptoms of urethritis include a cloudy white discharge from the tip of the penis and pain or burning during urination.
  • Reiter Syndrome: “Occasionally chlamydia is associated with a condition called Reiter Syndrome where there is a reaction to the infection, which affects the whole body,” says Rudolph. “This can cause joint swelling, and can affect the eyes and urethra.”

Shared complications

If chlamydia is contracted during oral or anal sex, it can result in complications that can affect both men and women. “You can get a sore throat, painful swallowing, coughing and fever,” explains Rudolph. “In the anus, it usually causes a discharge and can cause bleeding and painful sex.”

Treatment

“PID and testis infections can be treated with antibiotic treatment and occasionally surgery if abscesses have formed. The infertility can sometimes be reversed, but only with very specialised surgery of the fallopian tubes,” counsels Rudolph. “The Reiter Syndrome is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs and resolves by itself over time.”

For more information and other sex-related queries, visit www.mysexualhealth.co.za.

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STI (STD) Research at My Sexual Health

We are super excited about the new STI (STD) research project My Sexual Health is involved in through the University of Pretoria at our branches – in Johannesburg (Bryanston) and Pretoria (Silver Lakes).  Dr. Elna Rudolph, Dr. Jireh Serfontein and Dr. Jeanne Aspeling are all involved in this research study on Sexually Transmitted Infections.

We are doing a study to see how many women have an infection called trichomoniasis and then we are also looking for the other infections that go with it, like Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Candida, Mycoplasma, Bacterial Vaginosis, Ureaplasma Urealyticum.

The tests we are doing are worth around R5000 and it done for free! You just pay for the consultation.

Usually during research, the patient do not get the results of the investigation, but we have negotiated with the University of Pretoria and the results will be available for us to give feedback and the appropriate STI (STD) treatment to the patients.

For this study, we are only going to do about 200 samples, so if you are interested in being on and STI (STD) study, please contact our offices at 086 7272 950 to arrange an appointment.

 

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Sexual Health Tests: What You Need When

Sexual Health Tests: What You Need When

Published in Clicks Clubcard Magazine, June 2015.

Knowing your ‘status’ isn’t only about HIV. Getting checked out for other STIs is crucial to protect your health – and your fertility.

Flavoured condoms for everyone? This is not the usual type of headline you see in newspapers… But with Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi recently announcing that the Department of Health was going to be handing these out at universities, it’s a clear sign that South Africa has come a long way in finding solutions to curb the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STI). The innovative move comes off the back of research by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) that more and more South Africans are having unsafe sex and have no fear of getting infected with HIV/Aids. And it’s not just varsity students – the stats show that this attitude is worsening across all age groups. The good news – and boy do we need some – is that because our country has far-reaching treatment programmes fewer people are dying from the disease.

Read the full article here.

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Should we vaccinate our daughters (and sons) against HPV?

Should we vaccinate our daughters (and sons) against HPV?

By Anna Rich, published in Fair Lady Magazine, March 2013.

The most common cancer in women in South Africa is cervical cancer. In most cases it’s caused by human papiloma-virus (HPV). Now the HPV vaccine is available here – but it costs up to about R3000. Is it worth the spend?

Read the full article here.

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Do I really need an annual gynaecological examination? YES!

Annual gynaecological examinations, pap smears and STI screenings are not exactly something to look forward to – they are often uncomfortable, time-consuming and expensive.

About a month ago the American College of Physicians (ACP) released new guidelines, stating that a routine annual pelvic examination is not necessary in non-pregnant women without any symptoms. In response to this the American College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ACOG) stated that they continue to stand by its guidelines, urging women to visit their doctor for annual visits.

Before we can decide who to listen to we need to understand what a gynaecological examination entails. A gynaecological exam consist of four components, pelvic exam, Pap smear, STI screen and breast exam.

Pelvic exam: During the pelvic exam, your doctor checks your sex organs. Starting on the outside, your doctor will inspect the external genitalia, urethral opening, vaginal opening and the perianal region. After the external examination your doctor will insert a speculum inside the vagina to exam the vagina and the cervix. To complete the internal examination a bimanual examination will be done. Your doctor will check your uterus by placing a finger in your vagina while gently pressing on your stomach.

Pap smear: A pap smear is a screening test for cervical cancer. This is usually performed during the speculum part of the pelvic exam. Cells of the cervix is scraped from the surface and sent to the laboratory for investigation. Pap smears can not only detect cancer cells but also pre-cancerous cells which can be treated to prevent cancer.

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer of women in the African continent. The link between cervical cancer and the human papilloma virus (HPV) has been well established. Women who have been affected with certain types of HPV and have not been able to clear the virus can get cervical cancer and precancers. The first Pap smear must be done at the age of 21 years (irrespective of sexual activity) or within the first three years of onset of sexual activity. Thereafter smears should be taken every three years.

Don’t forget about the HPV vaccine.

STI screening: This is not a standard part of the annual gynaecological exam. Since SA has the highest number of people living with HIV and other STI’s are common but often asymptomatic, we routinely add a STI screen to anyone who is sexually active according to the World Health Organisations recommendations.

Breast exam: Your doctor will gently palpate your entire breast, your armpit to just below your breast. This is done to identify any abnormal breast lumps or masses. Guidelines recommend that a breast exam be performed annually from the age of 40 years.

A pelvic sonar (ultrasound) is not part of the routine gynaecological examination. It drives up cost and are often done unnecessarily. A sonar is a special investigation that should only be done if indicated, when pathology is suspected.

Ok, let’s get back to the question. Do I really need an annual gynaecological examination? YES! The ACP says that an annual pelvic examination is not indicated, but that is only one part of the entire gynaecological exam. I agree with the ACOG, a yearly visit to a gynaecologist to cover all of the above is a “fundamental part of medical care and is valuable in promoting prevention practices, recognizing risk factors for disease, identifying medical problems, and establishing the clinician–patient relationship.”

It is not necessary to see a gynaecologist to get your routine check-up, your GP can do it and refer you to a gynaecologist if he/she finds any abnormalities.

We are sexual health doctors and offer all of the above mentioned aspects of a gynaecological examination at our clinics in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Witbank and Cape Town.  We work in close conjunction with gynaecologists and various other specialists in cases where surgery, major interventions and second opinions are necessary.

We often see women who are terrified of pelvic examinations and women who are still virgins.  It is our aim to make patients feel at ease and to make the experience as positive as possible.  Give it go – it might not be as bad as you think…

After all, it is the month of August, National Women’s month, let’s book your annual visit today.

 

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