What happens if Chlamydia is left untreated?
Chlamydia is a serious disease. If you dont get treated, it can spread in your body, causing males to become sterile and increasing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women. PID can cause tubal pregnancies and infertility. Both men and women may not be able to have children. If you are pregnant, your baby can be born sick with Chlamydia. In women, untreated infection can spread into the uterus or fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This happens in up to 40 percent of women with untreated Chlamydia. PID can cause permanent damage to the fallopian tubes, uterus, and surrounding tissues. The damage can lead to chronic pelvic pain and infertility. Women infected with Chlamydia are up to five times more likely to become infected with HIV, if exposed. To help prevent the serious consequences of Chlamydia, screening at least annually for Chlamydia is recommended for all sexually active women age 25 years and younger. An annual screening test also is recommended for
