Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsDiagnosisTransmission in PregnancyEffects on PregnancyTransmission to NewbornComplicationsTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Transmission in Pregnancy
Effects on Pregnancy
Transmission to Newborn
Complications
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
This article will discuss the symptoms of chlamydia during pregnancy, diagnosis, treatment, complications, and when to see a healthcare provider.
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Symptoms of Chlamydia During Pregnancy
In many cases, chlamydia doesn’t produce any symptoms, and it is possible to be infected without realizing it. It is sometimes referred to as a silent infection for this reason. Studies suggest that 5% to 30% of females with chlamydia will have symptoms.
It may take weeks from exposure to chlamydia for symptoms to develop.
Chlamydia symptomsmay include:
When to See a Healthcare ProviderIf you are experiencing symptoms of chlamydia, or suspect you or your sexual partner have chlamydia, make an appointment with a healthcare provider. They will be able to arrange tests to confirm if you have the infection.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you are experiencing symptoms of chlamydia, or suspect you or your sexual partner have chlamydia, make an appointment with a healthcare provider. They will be able to arrange tests to confirm if you have the infection.
Diagnosing Chlamydia
Chlamydia can only be formally diagnosed following tests.
Samples are taken in two ways:
The most sensitive form of test is a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). A vaginal swab is the best specimen to test for people with a vagina. In some cases, a person may choose to self-collect a vaginal swab.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises screening for chlamydia at the first prenatal visit for all pregnant people younger than 25 and those older than 25 but at increased risk of chlamydia infection.
Risk factors that warrant screening include:
The CDC advises testing again for chlamydia in the third trimester for pregnant people under 25 or at high risk.
A pregnant person who tests positive for chlamydia should be tested three to four weeks following treatment and again within the following three months.
How Chlamydia Is Diagnosed
Is It Possible to Get Chlamydia While Pregnant?
Pregnant people can contract STIs in the same way people who aren’t pregnant can be infected.
Pregnancy offers no additional protection from STIs. Having condomless sex while pregnant can still expose a pregnant person to chlamydia and other STIs.
The only way to avoid contracting chlamydia while pregnant is not to have any form of sex, including:
How Common Is Chlamydia?Chlamydia is the most common STI in the United States. In 2018 there were roughly 4 million chlamydial infections in the United States. However, it is difficult to account for all cases as many people are unaware they are living with chlamydia due to a lack of symptoms.Roughly 1 in 20 people between ages 14 and 24 who are sexually active have chlamydia. In 2019, the rate of chlamydia among Black people in the United States was more than six times the rate of infection among White people.
How Common Is Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is the most common STI in the United States. In 2018 there were roughly 4 million chlamydial infections in the United States. However, it is difficult to account for all cases as many people are unaware they are living with chlamydia due to a lack of symptoms.Roughly 1 in 20 people between ages 14 and 24 who are sexually active have chlamydia. In 2019, the rate of chlamydia among Black people in the United States was more than six times the rate of infection among White people.
Chlamydia is the most common STI in the United States. In 2018 there were roughly 4 million chlamydial infections in the United States. However, it is difficult to account for all cases as many people are unaware they are living with chlamydia due to a lack of symptoms.
Roughly 1 in 20 people between ages 14 and 24 who are sexually active have chlamydia. In 2019, the rate of chlamydia among Black people in the United States was more than six times the rate of infection among White people.
How Will Chlamydia Affect My Pregnancy?
Complications can result from having chlamydia while pregnant. Pregnant people with chlamydia have an increased risk of their water breaking early, causing an earlier birth.Chlamydia during pregnancy is also associated with low birth weight.
Can My Newborn Get Chlamydia From Me?
They may also develop infections of the lungs likepneumoniaor eye infections likeconjunctivitis.
Chlamydia Complications
A chlamydia infection can lead to a variety of complications. If left untreated, chlamydia can spread to thefallopian tubesanduterus(womb). This can causepelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
PID can damage the reproductive system permanently and can lead to:
Those who have had chlamydia more than once are at increased risk of these complications.
Untreated chlamydia also raises the risk of being infected withhuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV)or passing HIV to someone else.
Reactive arthritismay also occur due to chlamydia infection.This begins with an infection (like chlamydia) elsewhere in the body, like the vagina. Reactive arthritis can cause pain or inflammation in the joints. The joints typically affected include the following:
Treating Chlamydia While Pregnant
Chlamydia can be successfully treated with antibiotics. Treatment may either be a one-off dose of antibiotics or a course of antibiotics every day for seven days.
Antibiotics in PregnancyThe type of antibiotics used to treat chlamydia are safe for use in pregnancy.Antibiotics may cause some side effects, most commonly impacting the digestive system.These include:DiarrheaVomitingNauseaPain in the abdomenLack of appetiteIndigestionBloating
Antibiotics in Pregnancy
The type of antibiotics used to treat chlamydia are safe for use in pregnancy.Antibiotics may cause some side effects, most commonly impacting the digestive system.These include:DiarrheaVomitingNauseaPain in the abdomenLack of appetiteIndigestionBloating
The type of antibiotics used to treat chlamydia are safe for use in pregnancy.Antibiotics may cause some side effects, most commonly impacting the digestive system.
These include:
Those being treated for chlamydia should refrain from having sex until the infection has passed. This will prevent the STI from being transmitted to a sexual partner:
Can You Treat Chlamydia Without Going to the Doctor?
Summary
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection. It is possible to be infected with chlamydia while pregnant. Pregnancy offers no protection from STIs.
Pregnant people with chlamydia may experience a variety of complications, including preterm labor and low birth weight. Chlamydia can be successfully treated with antibiotics, and these drugs are safe for pregnant people.
A Word From Verywell
It can be particularly daunting to deal with an STI diagnosis when pregnant, but you are not alone. If you are pregnant and suspect you might have chlamydia, don’t hesitate to reach out to a healthcare provider for support.
Chlamydia can be treated successfully with antibiotics. Pregnant people can safely take the antibiotics used to treat this infection.
There is no evidence to suggest chlamydia causes a miscarriage.However, the infection can lead to other complications, including preterm labor and low birth weight.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STDs during pregnancy – CDC fact sheet
NHS.Symptoms - chlamydia.
NHS.Diagnosis - chlamydia.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chlamydia – CDC fact sheet.
MedlinePlus.Chlamydia infections.
MedlinePlus.Infectious arthritis.
NHS.Side effects - antibiotics.
Horne AW, Wheelhouse N, Horner PJ, Duncan WC.Association of pastchlamydia trachomatisinfection with miscarriage.JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(10):e2018799. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.18799
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