Can chlamydia cause infertility?
Chlamydia can lead to infertility and is the cause in around one in five cases. The fallopian tubes that transfer the egg from the ovary to the uterus are very delicate organs. Rather than being a simple tube that the egg just rolls down, they contain fine hairs called cilia, which move the egg along. An infection, such as chlamydia, can damage the fine cilia, slowing down or stopping the egg from reaching the uterus to implant. It can also lead to scarring of the tube, blocking it completely. The chance of damage is greater if there are multiple episodes of infection or the infection is particularly severe – such as with bad pelvic inflammatory disease. The symptoms of PID are acute lower abdominal pain, tenderness on being touched or with intercourse, a fever, nausea, vomiting, and a smelly discharge. After one episode of PID the risk of tube damage is around 13 per cent, but this rises to 75 per cent after 3 attacks – hence the importance of early treatment and getting partners scre
