Chlamydia is the most commonly reported bacterial Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) in the US. 

It is not usually accompanied by symptoms, which explains why most people are unaware even after acquiring this STD. 

Due to this, Chlamydia can go untreated for a long time and cause complications like fertility issues. 

On the other hand, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is the infection of female reproductive organs caused by bacterial infection passed on through STDs.

So, is Chlamydia one of the STDs that can cause PID? 

If you wish to find answers to your questions and find the relationship between Chlamydia and PID, continue reading. 

Can Chlamydia cause PID

It is true that Chlamydia and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease are related. 

Chlamydia is caused by Chlamydia Trachomatis, a bacteria that can travel up from the vagina and spread to the reproductive organs like fallopian tubes and ovaries.

This usually happens when this infection goes untreated for longer periods. 

Fact:
About 10 percent of women with Chlamydia develop PID. This risk is found to be greater in younger women as they have a 5 fold risk of developing PID in comparison to older women.

Such an infection of the female reproductive organs is called PID. 

Now the question is, how long before Chlamydia causes PID? 

The usual time frame is within a year if Chlamydia is untreated

However, the actual time can depend from person to person. 

It can take from a few days to a few weeks as well to develop PID after Chlamydia. 

Warning:
PID can severely impact mental health by causing bipolar disorder, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and sleep disorder. It is advised to coordinate with a healthcare provider to ensure mental and emotional well-being to avoid adversities, alongside treating physical symptoms.

Mostly, it gets hard to differentiate between Chlamydia and PID because either they have no symptoms or similar ones. 

Chlamydia and PID Difference

The following table summarizes the comparison between Chlamydia and PID to understand the relationship and difference between them. 

FactorsChlamydiaPID
DefinitionIt is a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) It is the infection of the female reproductive organs
AffectsBoth males and femalesFemales
IncidenceAffects 3 million Americans annuallyAffects 1 million American women annually
SymptomsSome of them are foul-smelling vaginal discharge, painful periods, penile discharge, pain in the abdomen, etcSome of them are foul-smelling vaginal discharge, severe pain, fever, etc
CausesBacteria Chlamydia Trachomatis spreads mainly via sexual contactSTDs such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhea
TreatmentAntibiotics like Doxycycline once a day for a week or 1 gram dose of Azithromycin followed by 500mg dose once for two daysAntibiotics like Ampicillin-sulbactam plus Doxycycline or 100 mg Doxycycline twice a day for 14 days
ComplicationsIncludes PID, infertility, Ectopic pregnancy, infections etcIncludes Ectopic pregnancy, infertility, chronic pelvic pain, Tubo-ovarian abscess, etc

Chlamydia and PID symptoms

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Woman suffering from abdomenal pain due to PID

As Chlamydia is a cause of PID, most of the symptoms will be common, which include:

  • Pain in the abdomen
  • Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
  • Bleeding after or during sex
  • Fever or chills
  • Irregular bleeding between periods

However, Chlamydia also affects men, so the unique symptoms are discharge from penis and testicular pain. 

Chlamydia and PID treatment

PID is mainly caused by STDs such as Chlamydia, which can be cured by antibiotics. 

In case of Chlamydia, Doxycycline once a day for a week or 1 gram dose of Azithromycin followed by 500mg dose once for two days is recommended.

If Chlamydia or other infections develop into PID, then Ampicillin-sulbactam plus Doxycycline is used.

An alternative is 100 mg Doxycycline twice a day plus 500 mg Ceftriaxone intramuscularly (IM) for one dose.

Mostly, the course of antibiotic tablets continues for 14 days. 

To clear the infection, you must complete the entire prescribed course, even if the symptoms improve. 

For additional symptoms like pain, painkillers like Ibuprofen and Paracetamol are used alongside antibiotics. 

A follow-up appointment is scheduled 3 days after starting the treatment to look for improvement in symptoms and need for hospitalization.

Your partner also requires treatment if you had sexual contact in six months before symptoms arise. 

If the partner is left untreated, PID can occur again, and similar is the case with Chlamydia. 

PID after Chlamydia treatment

It is possible to get PID even after getting treatment for STDs like Chlamydia. 

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A study by K J Rothman found that one year following Chlamydia treatment, the risk of PID was 9 percent. 

During this time, the highest risk is in the first few weeks (45 days). 

However, over the years, minimal risk remains due to treatment-resistant or recurring infections. 

So, it is advised for women with Chlamydia PID to be retested 3 months after the treatment. 

Conclusion

Chlamydia is an STD that can cause complications like PID if left untreated. 

Mostly, Chlamydia can cause PID within a year, but the time can vary from a few to a few weeks. 

Due to their interrelation and coexistence, their symptoms and complications can also match. 

If you get PID from Chlamydia, there are chances of reinfection even after treatment. 

So, it is necessary to seek timely treatment from a doctor to prevent Chlamydia from developing into PID. 

Routine checkups are the best way to keep track of STDs and ensure the well-being of yourself and your partner.

Frequently Asked Questions

After how long does Chlamydia cause PID?

If Chlamydia is left untreated for about a year, it develops into Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. However, it can vary from a few days to a few weeks from person to person. To avoid PID, you must get regular testing for STDs such as Chlamydia and complete the required treatment. 

How can you tell the difference between Chlamydia and PID? 

It is hard to differentiate Chlamydia and PID as they have similar symptoms like foul-smelling vaginal discharge and irregular periods. In males, Chlamydia symptoms are penile discharge and testicular pain, while PID does not affect males. To confirm if you have Chlamydia or PID, contact a doctor. 

Can Chlamydia cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?

Yes, Chlamydia can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. PID is an infection of the reproductive organs of females, such as fallopian tubes and ovaries, mostly caused by bacteria from STDs such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. Mostly, it goes unnoticed because of the absence of symptoms.

Why does Chlamydia put a woman at greater risk for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?

Chlamydia puts women at greater risk of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease because it can travel up from the vagina and infect the reproductive organs such as the fallopian tubes, cervix, and ovaries. According to research, Chlamydia can increase the risk of PID twofold. 

Citations:
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