Women's health is a very fragile substance. Any imbalance, any stress can disrupt it and cause a malaise, and even a disease. Throughout her reproductive years, a woman is at risk of many gynecological diseases, the most dangerous of which are sexually transmitted infections.
One of these diseases is chlamydia. This infectious disease is caused by small bacteria - chlamydia, which parasitize in cells. Chlamydia is transmitted with unprotected sexual contacts, less often - if the hygiene rules are not respected (use of other people's towels, bedding and underwear, etc.). A newborn can become infected with chlamydia when passing through the birth canal of an infected mother.
Chlamydia is an extremely insidious disease. It can affect not only the genitourinary system of men and women, but also the nervous, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, respiratory and vision organs. Chlamydia can lead to growth of tumors in the uterus, development of ectopic pregnancy, etc. Therefore, it is so important to start treatment in time, so that the disease does not develop from acute Chlamydia to chronic.
The main signs and symptoms of chlamydia in women
In order to be able to determine the disease, if necessary, let's find out how the clamidiosis manifests in women. The classical manifestations of chlamydia are as follows.
- The first and main symptom for chlamydia infection is mucous or purulent discharge from the vagina, which have a yellowish color.
- A strong unpleasant odor in chlamydia is a common occurrence. But even in the absence of secretions, the appearance of a smell should alert you.
- A characteristic symptom of chronic chlamydia in women is periodic pain in the lower abdomen or in the external genital area, burning with urination, bleeding in the middle of the menstrual cycle.
Diagnosis of chlamydia
If you notice these signs, this is the reason for the visit to the gynecologist. Possible causes of this - sexual infections and gynecological diseases - are many, and it is only the doctor who can make it clear what exactly these symptoms are caused by the examination and laboratory examination of the vaginal scraping. The most informative analysis to date is PCR (polymerase chain reaction); Other methods (for example, a mini test for chlamydia or a normal smear) may be inaccurate, which is fraught with an incorrect diagnosis and, accordingly, improper treatment.
Chlamydia can also be hidden. Therefore, for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, a woman should regularly undergo an examination with a gynecologist. It is also desirable to be examined after unprotected sex with new partners.
Stages of chlamydia
The development of chlamydia, like any other disease, occurs gradually. It can be conditionally divided into several stages.
- The first stage is the direct infection of the body with chlamydia. It occurs when these bacteria enter the mucosa (epithelial cells).
- The second stage is infection: chlamydia penetrate into the epithelial cells, hitting them. It lasts 2-3 days after infection.
- The third stage is the spread of infection in the body. There are visible symptoms of the disease (characteristic discharge, unpleasant odor). The fact that clamidiosis manifests itself depends on various factors, but usually it happens 2-4 weeks after the chlamydia enters the woman's body.
- The fourth stage of chlamydia is characterized by changes in the organs and systems of organs caused by parasitic bacteria.
Treatment for chlamydia should take place between both partners, even if chlamydia is found only in one of them.