Depressed: ttc history of chlamydia and scared

[AllkaSalsa]

Ten years ago I had chlamydia for 9 months with no symptoms until the 9th month: awful back pain and burning wee. It was diagnosed as a uti initially and treated as such which got rid of symptoms. A couple of weeks later the cat came out of the bag and bf admitted he had cheated and been in a 2nd relationship for 9 months. I had a full sti screening after (obvs split up) and tests revealed chlamydia. Because I no longer had symptoms there was no mention of PID, but now ttc and reading up on fertility I fear that the infection had in fact progressed and that's what my symptoms were.

We have been ttc for 10 months with no luck. I am really frightened that my fertility has been ruined and my dreams of a family drastically altered. My OH is supportive and knows everything, but I fear that facing the reality of infertility would destroy everything we have. I worry my family would be disgusted with me. I feel so incredibly low.

I really need to hear from anyone who has suffered from a chlamydia infection or PID and conceived, whether that be through post on here or private message. I know we don't always want to share online things that are embarrassing. I just hope someone out there can help to build my confidence and reassure me.

We will have the tests done at 12 month, and I do know I ovulate through tracking temping and blood testing earlier for a separate issue that has since resolved. Really hoping you can help xx

[EvaGraceMummy2015]

Hi, I just want to say I'm sorry to hear about your bf cheating on you, unfortunately I have been in the same situation myself, I too went to the docs believing I had a Uti and no amount of antibiotics was clearing it up, never crossed my mind that my bf of the time was cheating on me and it was a chance testing for chlamydia that revealed the truth!

Anyway I just wanted to say that I went on to conceive my daughter (with another partner) just 2 months off the pill, then number 2 four months off the implant (ended in mmc at 12 weeks unfortunately).
I know everyone's body's are different and obviously I can't say that the same will happen with you, but I just wanted to try and give you some comfort in knowing that it can happen! And also not to blame yourself! You can be a decent person who just ends up with the wrong person sometimes! It's nothing to be ashamed of
Hope this has helped a little x

[FizzyMinerals]

Quick NC for this bit I had chlamydia in the past. Probably for about 6 months until symptoms appeared and I got tested and treated.

I was really worried about fertility too but have 3 DC now and no trouble conceiving. Took a few months first time round- maybe 7 or 8, but then no time at all for the other two.

I'd give it a few more months and then look into seeing a fertility specialist to get your tubes checked (think tubal blockages are the usual cause of subfertility in PID).

Best of luck x

[AllkaSalsa]

Thanks so much for replying.
Tubal blockage is what I'm really worried about.
I'm currently on period and my back is aching as badly as it did back then so I feel really hopeless. Can't help but think my womb or tubes were really inflamed and infected.
Will keep trying a bit longer and perhaps decide that tests a needed after our summer holiday.
Really appreciate your reassurances though end endo happy you have lovely kids!

[Crumpledhoodie]

Hello, I've done a quick NC also! I had chlamydia while I was at uni - not actually sure how long I had it for, not long I don't think, I had symptoms ie random bleeding, I think they caught it earlyish (ie a few months in...) Anyway I wanted to let you know I have been having the same stresses as you; you are not alone! I am currently TTC #1 also. Been 4 months now.

Anyway I have done loads of reading and whilst it is possible that PID can cause tube damage, it seems that it's pretty rare to cause major issues, only in about 10% of cases of PID. Also, the majority of chlamydia does not end up becoming PID, as I understand it.

I don't think there's a way of knowing if your UTI was actually PID. Also, you need a pretty hardcore amount of antibiotics to treat PID, less than what's typically prescribed for a UTI. This would make me doubt that you had PID (although of course there's no way of knowing now). Have you had it confirmed that your chlamydia infection cleared up?

Anecdotal evidence alert: the 3 other women who I know have had chlamydia have all got kids now :)

[Crumpledhoodie]

Duh - i meant to say for PID you need more antibiotics than for a UTI, not less...

[AllkaSalsa]

Thanks crumple!
I think it wasn't actually a UTI but chlamydia and I was misdiagnosed. It was a regular family GP and I don't think an STI was even on his radar when he was diagnosing me! But I will never know, and think thats why it's bugging me as much as it is. It's the scary unknown.

Rational head on says I totally agree. Statistically, odds in my (and your) favour. And iv concluded the same: the azithromycin and previous antibiotics for UTI wouldn't likely be enough to clear it if it had progressed and become worse. I didn't get a follow up as wasn't told to by GUM clinic. But later tests were all clear so I don't worry that it didn't clear up. No further issues or symptoms so I guess that was that. If I was advising someone else I'd have such a different attitude towards it!

[BasinHaircut]

Just chiming in to say I have also had chlamydia (from a cheating boyfriend many years ago) and no trouble conceiving DC1.

[AllkaSalsa]

Thanks Basin. Do you know how long you had it for?
Congrats on kiddy 1!

[ForeverHopeful21]

I had chlamydia for 3 years with no symptoms. Stupidly my boyfriend (now dh) and I never got tested when we first met. He had it from previous 'relations' and it was only when I went to the GP regarding painful periods that I was made me do full sti screening and it was positive. I was so shocked and like you very worried about fertility.
That was 8 years ago.
We ttc for 2.5 years before I finally got pregnant. My tests have shown that it's due to other things (I have large ovarian cysts and suspected endo).

Tbh 10 months isn't that long to be trying. I know it feels like it is, but I wouldn't get too worked up about being infertile just yet. You probably won't want to hear this but it takes some couples years to conceive. I think you're being very hard on yourself. x

[BasinHaircut]

Not exactly but I didn't find out until about 4 months after we split and there hadn't been anyone else in that time. It was a short relationship (6 months-ish) so could have been anything from 4-10 months.

[AllkaSalsa]

I think 10 months probably feels like longer just because of the paranoia and my friends and family haven't taken that long. But you are right. Being on the forum shows that many women try for a lot longer with no health issues l! I am hard on myself pretty much all the time. Such an idiot. As a youngster I was so much more relaxed and kind to myself than I am now I'm a 'big gurl'!
Really reassuring to hear both of your experiences- thanks for that. I know that it can affect people when infected for a short time but with every story it seems less and less likely.

[crumpledhoodie]

Hi @Allka, I think it's more the case that has an effect when the infection goes on for a long time, rather than a short time. Chances are, no damage has been done. From what I have read, you would know about it if you had ended up with PID - the symptoms are pretty intense I think.

[crumpledhoodie]

Also meant to say, even if you had ended up with PID, the chances of it leaving you infertile are pretty small. Not to say that it doesn't happen, of course, but seems unlikely in your case :)

[SlB09]

An aquaintance of mine had chlamydia for an estimated 8+ years, had trouble concieving, had tests everything was fine other than laparoscopy showed some scarring to ovaries (I think!! That or tubes) anyway they cleared this during the procedure and she was pregnant the following ovulation cycle! Ive had other issues with fertility, pcos, prolactinoma, endometriosis, and I sympathise totally with your 'what if' mentality at the moment, I went through that and now im 21 weeks pregnant. The hard part is you dont know until you try which you are doing just try not to let it take over your life. It took us a year or so xx

[AllkaSalsa]

Wow @SIB09 that's a long time untreated, and seems minimal impact?! That's reassuring. Yeah I'm on doctors radar at the moment as I had suspected endo- absolute waste of time getting that investigated bit that is another story. Really hope all is well for me- I know how ignorant this sounds but I could emotionally cope with a medical condition like endo as it is at least something I couldn't have avoided. Something about an sti that will always arouse judgement or shame.

[SlB09]

It doesnt sound ignorant, I think its just human nature. Once you've begun the investigation process you might find that it magnifies everything a little but they normally have counsellors etc so take this up both of you as it does affect both sides. Good luck xx

[Lina15]

I had that std years ago and feel it may have caused silent pid as I can’t get pregnant naturaly tired ivf but have only just had miscariages

[lavenderlilaclily]

hi, first of all I'm really sorry about what happened then and your bf cheating on you, whole situation sounds awful.

If it's any consolation, I had PID when I was in my early 20s. Still to this day unsure what caused it, I was negative for all STIs, but whatever it was must have been going on for a while because I was having weird symptoms and then suddenly things got BAD. It was v painful and required a long treatment. Was really scared and paranoid about my fertility, especially when I started ttc years later. But I did manage to conceive, took about 7 months.

I totally totally understand your worries, OP. But just sharing to say that chlamydia does not always lead to PID, and PID does not always lead to infertility :)
ofc if it's taking you a while to conceive and you still don't manage to in the next few months, then absolutely do have your tubes checked alongside everything else. but try not to worry TOO much about it, as the chances that it's not an issue are in your favour.

keeping fingers crossed for a bfp for you soon x