Chlamydia is one of those dreaded words no one ever wants to hear come out of their doctor’s mouth. As embarrassing as the diagnosis can be, chlamydia is, in fact, one of the most frequently reported sexually transmitted infections in the United States [1], and even more cases are left undiagnosed due to the nature of the disease sometimes being asymptomatic.
Since chlamydia can affect a women’s reproductive system if left untreated, it is important to get tested for the infection if you feel you might have contracted it.
What is chlamydia and what are the symptoms?
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is passed through sexual contact and is caused by an infection known as Chlamydia trachomatis. You can get chlamydia through any contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus of someone who is infected, and ejaculation does not have to occur for the disease to be transmitted [2]. Chlamydia can also be transmitted from a mother to her baby during childbirth. [3]
For women, chlamydia can cause signs of cervicitis as the bacteria initially will infect the cervix and sometimes the urethra. Signs of a possible infection include pain or bleeding during sex, bleeding between periods, nausea or fever, and abdominal or lower back pain.
Most infected people are asymptomatic and do not exhibit any symptoms to go along with the infection, which is why it is important to get tested. Chlamydia infections left untreated can result in serious health issues such as pelvic inflammatory disease, cervicitis, and urethritis. [3]
So how does chlamydia affect the menstrual cycle?
Since chlamydia infects the reproductive organs of the body, the disease can have adverse effects on a woman’s reproductive processes. Chlamydia normally won’t cause a direct effect on your period, such as delayed and missed periods, but it can cause other health issues that can cause irregularities in the menstrual cycle.
Untreated chlamydia can result in a blockage of the fallopian tubes. This can cause infertility and increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy. It’s possible that your period might be heavier as a result of the infection as well, and the possible stress and anxiety surrounding the disease may also result in a delayed period cycle.
Women who have chlamydia and have not been diagnosed are at risk of seriously damaging the fallopian tubes and ovaries, which play a significant role in the reproductive processes of the body and fertility.
The infection can cause damage to the fallopian tube cilia, which help maneuver the egg from the ovaries to the womb. The blockage of fallopian tubes can lead to permanent infertility. Women can also suffer from scarring as a result of the infection, which further increases the risk for ectopic pregnancies that can be extremely dangerous for the mother and baby.
Chlamydia can also indirectly affect the menstrual cycle. It causes pelvic inflammatory disease which is a bacterial infection of the womb and fallopian tubes brought on by untreated chlamydia, and common symptoms of this disease include vaginal bleeding, i.e. heavy periods, bleeding or spotting between periods, and bleeding during sexual intercourse. [5]
Any differences in your menstrual cycle associated with the symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease might be an indication of a possible infection, so if you are experiencing heavier than normal periods along with the signs of PID, you may want to consult a doctor just to be safe.
Pelvic inflammatory disease can also lead to pregnancy difficulties and infertility, as well as an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy and chronic pelvic pain.
Chlamydia may be deceptive in its asymptomatic nature, but its risks are heavily weighted. Untreated chlamydia can cause a number of health issues resulting in serious damage to a woman’s reproductive processes, sometimes permanently. Pregnant women who have chlamydia can transmit the infection to their newborn babies, putting the infant in considerable danger and causing a high risk of complications after birth.
So what should you do?
Practicing safe sex is extremely important in preventing sexually transmitted diseases, as well as routine screenings of the disease. Anyone who is sexually active is at risk of contracting chlamydia, and women who are with a new partner or who have had multiple partners should especially consider getting screened. Wear a condom, as birth control pills do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, only pregnancy.
The good news is that chlamydia can be treated, commonly with a prescription of antibiotics and instructions to refrain from sexual intercourse until the antibiotics are completed. It is also important to keep in mind that repeated infections are common, so if you’ve had chlamydia before, you should be extra cautious when it comes to sexual intercourse.
All women should be screened for chlamydia since they might be harboring the organism without even knowing it, putting themselves at risk for possible health complications in the future.
Click here to order an at-home test for Chlamydia & Gonorrhea!
While changes to the menstrual cycle are not a clear indicator of chlamydia, heavy bleeding, intermittent spotting, and vaginal bleeding during sex can be a warning sign of an underlying issue. [6]
References
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1. https://www.cdc.gov/std/stats16/chlamydia.htm
2. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322048.php
3. https://sti.bmj.com/content/93/6/416
4. https://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/guide/chlamydia
5. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352594
6. See # 3
I found out I had Chlamydia after having sex and seeing streaks of blood with a new partner. At first I thought it was my IUD so I visited my Gynecologist and they did cultures and diagnosed me. I almost never see my period but now everytime I masturbate or have sex there is almost always blood or a brown discharge. The next day I feel cramps like I would on a heavy day but most of the times nothing follows. I want to know when the irregularities and the blood during sex will end. I am going in for another visit soon but if anyone can answer this for me in the next couple of days I would be forever grateful as I scared to have sex with anyone.
Hello Nan, in a situation like this you are advised not to have unprotected sex. See below
https://womanjunction.com/does-chlamydia-affect-your-menstrual-cycle/
I’m getting results back tomorrow from my tests but I’m thinking with all my symptoms I have chlamydia. I’m really worried about the infertility side effect of it. How long do you normally have to have it for it to permanently damage your reproductive organs?
Hello Miranda, read the below link on chlamydia and its effects on you:
https://womanjunction.com/stds-affect-fertility-women/
Started being intimate with my ex husband July. Frequent sex no protection was trying for a child then coming march went to clinic for pregnancy told them he cheated and requested std. positive for chlamydia. Got treated. Got my period early they were kind of heavy and only lasted 3 days. My normal usually is 5-6 days. Went to another clinic and still came positive for chlyamida took same medication and then resulted negative well now we in July my period should have came but now I’m 5 days late. I know it’s not pregnancy cause I haven’t been intimate since march 3. March 12 is when I got results for positive for chlamydia I divorced him. So should I wait or do an appointment to check? Or what could be wrong with me? I do now suffer from anxiety depression due to the fact of what I got told. (Having clamydia) attempted suicide. Although I’m aware it’s gone it has changed my life drastically I don’t think I could ever have sex again just thinking what if future bf has it too or what if I infect him…or what if I have a baby and infect my baby. Sad story.
Hi Ana, not a sad story, just a story. One that you can come back from. First I would recommend that you find a psychologist or therapist or someone to talk to because dealing with that is obviously causing you some mental health issues, which is normal. Dealing with things like this put a lot of stress in your life and on your body. Our bodies are sensitive to changes and when you are stressed, as seen in times of famine and war, the body will suppress ovulation so that you don’t get pregnant. Which is what you are most likely going through. I would get tested just to make sure everything is normal and if it is I would work on you for a bit. Work on finding your peace and your happy again because that’s what’s most important. As someone who deals with mental health issues on a regular basis, taking the time to focus on you and decrease the stress in your life could help your body get back to a normal cycle. It’s a rough path that you might have to follow but if you focus on what makes you happy you might be able to get everything back on the right path. Find someone to talk to, that might help as well, even if it is just your regular doctor. Good luck, and care for yourself first.
I have a question that is Chlamydia related. Is it possible to have symptoms of Chlamydia 1-2 days after intercourse? I am wondering because I had sex 4 weeks ago (no chlamydia symptoms), and 4 days ago I had sex again & the day after I was experiencing symptoms (sore throat, pelvic pain, cervic pain, aches, discharge, lots of burning). Any kind of answer will help ease my mind.
Thank you
Hi Lala, symptoms of Chlamydia generally show up within 1-3 weeks after being infected, if you see any at all. So the 1-2 days most likely not the cause.
I got treated for chlamydia I took the antibiotics and my period is 5 days late.Does the antibiotics have any effect on the menstrual cycle?
Hello Bus, yes the antibiotics could be responsible for delaying your period.
I haven’t had myself checked although I had a few symptoms like itching and vaginal discharge after unprotected sex but again, nothing disturbed the regularity of my menstrual cycle. It’s actually been 6 months since I last had sex and my symptoms had continued a little but my period started showing in close proximity and irregularity after 6 months. There never was irregularity before but suddenly there is now after such a long period. Is it because of my stressed and overeating environment this month that caused this irregularity or can this be caused due to the possibility of Chlamydia and i need to get it checked? Can Chlamydia affect my cycle 6 months after sex?
Hi Anna, generally symptoms of Chlamydia would start within 1-3 weeks of intercourse, so at this time I wouldn’t imagine that it would be from that. As far as irregularities, if you are changing your eating habits, potentially putting on weight, and stress can all affect your cycle. As far as the itching and discharge that could be from something like a yeast infection as well. If you are concerned make an appointment with your docto or increase your pro-bit is such as yogurts and such to help you have a more normal, healthy system.
I took the chlamydia treatment medicine and got my period a few hours after. Will that have any effect on the treatment also I use tampons could that somehow keep the infection in my body ?
Hi Ashley, it’s recommended that you use pads instead of tampons while treating for Chlamydia. One the treatment is done you can go back to using tampons. As far as your period affecting the treatment itself, it won’t.
Haven’t gotten my period for 3 months now. Lower abdomen and back pain..thick white discharge
What could this mean?
Haven’t been to a doctor yet am just worried
Hi Kadenedixon, it could be pregnancy, yeast infection, pelvic inflammatory disease or an STD. I would recommend making an appointment with your doctor ASAP and take a pregnancy test.
Hi, I was diagnosed with Cervicitis yesterday and possible chlamydia ( freaked out so I really didn’t listen closely to the Doctor when we was explaining).
Can this cause my ovulation to skip or come late?
This is my ovulation week and no discharge… has me a little worried. Thank y’all .
Hi Rebeca, I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. It can affect your body depending on if it has spread to the uterine lining which can affect ovulation plus there is inflammation in there (which is what the name means inflammation of the cervix), so it could be affecting your discharge. I would recommend however giving your doctor a call or the on call nurse and have a conversation with them. you’ll want to know what else you are dealing with if anything. Know that if you are dealing with an STI, the antibiotics they give you can also affect your cycle.
I had really heavy bleeding, like a period 2 weeks early and was diagnosed with chlamydia and treated with a gram of azthromycin and my system went away and I stopped bleeding. It’s been a little over a week now and I’ve started having bleeding again, is there a chance I’ve still got the infection even tho I haven’t come in contact with anyone since.
Hi Barbara, the initial early bleeding could have been due to the infection. It’s quite possible what you are experiencing now is your actual period. If you are concerned, I would make a follow up with your doctor.
I am almost 2 months late for my period I did have some spotting for a few day around the 15th of last month.. I just finished my antibiotics for chlamydia but I still don’t have any of my usual signs of my period
I got a pt blood test done and it was negative is there any way that i could be pregnant and the infection made the test a false negative? Very confused
Hello Tiffany, the prolonged use of the antibiotics might be responsible for the delay in your period for so long.
Hi was on my period then I went for check up to get check up results I found out I had chlamydia took tablets and now I’m still on my period after about 8 days and is heavy do u think I should consult doctor
Hello the pills might be the reason for your prolonged period. If it still continues after taking the pills then see your doctor.
hello, i has taken the antibiotic for Chlymdia at the beginning of the month also with an antibiotic for a bladder infection. I had my period that week, two weeks early. However this week i’m experiencing my period again but at random. It was here for two days gone for three and now back. Is there any cause for this?
Hi Amber, Antibiotics can affect the menstural cycle because it affects the estrogen in the body. I would keep track of the previous month and if you aren’t on any antibiotics this month you should go back to a normal cycle for you. However, just make sure that you are using another form of birth control if you are not trying to get pregnant.
I have had the treatment however I still haven’t had my period is this bad
Hi Courtney, Becuase you are taking an antibiotic it can cause your period to be late. You provided little information as to when you should be anticipating it, however if you are more than a week late I would recommend taking a pregnancy test. If negative give it a bit more time and then make an appointment if she still doesn’t make her appearance.
So I’ve been taken a antibiotic treatment for chlamydia this week & I just started my period will anything bad happen & will it ruin the treatment ?
Hi Mel. Having your period will not affect your treatment.
I have seen my menses on 15th of may, lasted for 6 days. I had unprotected sex after, but didn’t see it for June. expecting I’m pregnant, and pt shows negative. my menses came on July 18, what brings this irregularities.
You only have 3 fertile dates that you can really get pregnant and they are typically in the lead up till your period. That’s not concrete, as no one can reliably say when your egg is “ready”…. but if you have sex after your period, you won’t get pregnant unless you have a double ovulation which is unusual.