Chlamydia and infertility

Spinkyttc · 2023-10-06T10:13:00+00:00

Hello everyone, I'm 27 and want children really badly. I haven't started 'trying' properly yet but me and my partner do have unprotected sex and have been for 5 months so it could happen and we are happy if it does, however I haven't felt pregnant yet. I am worried as I have contracted chlamydia twice in my early 20s, albeit I don't think for long before I was treated. I am worried that it will have left me infertile or caused blocked fallopian tubes :( does anyone have any experience of this and can share positive stories? I'm so scared

Original poster

Spinkyttc · 07/10/2023 10:15

Bump

OP posts:

MoonlightDreamer · 07/10/2023 11:41

To be honest, I think its a little premature to be coming to conclusions that your infertile. If you've having unprotected sex for only 5 months , then you haven't been trying long enough. A GP wouldn't even consider you a candidate for investigation until you've been trying for 2 years. Even a couple with absolutely no fertility issues can take a while to get pregnant. Some poeple get pregnant straight away and it's pure luck. Even for healthy, young couples there's still only a small percentage of pregnancy each month. Until you start trying properly, It's pointless worrying yourself. If your not trying properly I'd assume your not tracking ovulation either?

Lilacdream · 07/10/2023 11:51

This is going to sound rude but I don't think posting this in the infertility forum is the correct place. This is for women dealing with infertility. You've stated your not even trying to get pregnant but simply having unprotected sex for a few months. Everyone here on this forum is dealing with infertility and have been struggling , many of us for years. You have absolutely no reason to believe your infertile if your not even trying to get pregnant. You haven't been trying long enough and probably not timing it correctly.
If you had it treated its unlikely to have done any serious harm . Even then , your doctor won't refer you until your trying over 24 months as your still very young at 27. 5 months of 'not actively trying' to get pregnant is not enough to say your infertile and I think just a little insensitive posting it on here when your not even trying or dealing with infertility

ttcsolomumtobe · 08/10/2023 15:12

Hi,

I found out when doing my fertility tests that I had a previous Chlamydia infection based on a blood test. I never knew it prior to this so never had it treated but my GP advised it could be a case that some general antibiotics I had at the time killed it off.
I had my tubes checked and they were clear. The only way to know is the test.

I can see you've had a couple of replies from people feeling you are being insensitive but I wanted to say good on you for trying to find out more but infertility is a sensitive issue and some people have been actively trying for years before braving the infertility forums, some someone who isn't even trying can feel a stinger.

It may be worth you going down the route of tracking ovulation to even know if you are having sex at the right time of the month. Speak to your GP at the 12 month point, they may even do the basic blood tests to check other things are as they should be.

Mistymist · 08/10/2023 18:08

Hi,
I had chlamydia around ten years ago, had it treated and recovered well. Since then I have been doing tests (tubes and uterus are fine) and IVF rounds and haven't managed to conceive, but this is not related to Chlamydia.

IVFgothope · 08/10/2023 20:32

If it's causing you anxiety then I would get your tubes tested. However, as others have said, I don't think you need to worry at this point for the reasons given.

Ridingthewaves19 · 31/12/2023 01:19

Hi,

Just seen your post. I would say 5 months is too shorter time to say. It's recommended that after a year and no conception that investigations are done under 35 (I think). The tricky thing with chlamydia is that there's no set time frame as to if and when damage is done. Therefore one person could have it for a year and be fine whilst someone may have had it for months and it's caused damage.

I have recently found out that both my tubes are blocked. I had conceived prior or chlamydia infection from a cheating partner. Sadly Dr's have told me the chlamydia is likely the cause. I had it for around 8 months and had no symptoms.

I only found out as had been trying for 2 years and nothing. As under 35 I was fobbed off loads and it's only when they suspected endo that they did a lap and discovered i had no tubal patency. IVF is likely my only option. I'd give yourself time and use ovulation sticks. If after a year, or near enough, 100% push for investigations. Also your partner should get tested as sometimes its not us with the fertility issues.

Good luck. 🍀

Original poster

Spinkyttc · 01/01/2024 07:14

Ridingthewaves19 · 31/12/2023 01:19

Hi,

Just seen your post. I would say 5 months is too shorter time to say. It's recommended that after a year and no conception that investigations are done under 35 (I think). The tricky thing with chlamydia is that there's no set time frame as to if and when damage is done. Therefore one person could have it for a year and be fine whilst someone may have had it for months and it's caused damage.

I have recently found out that both my tubes are blocked. I had conceived prior or chlamydia infection from a cheating partner. Sadly Dr's have told me the chlamydia is likely the cause. I had it for around 8 months and had no symptoms.

I only found out as had been trying for 2 years and nothing. As under 35 I was fobbed off loads and it's only when they suspected endo that they did a lap and discovered i had no tubal patency. IVF is likely my only option. I'd give yourself time and use ovulation sticks. If after a year, or near enough, 100% push for investigations. Also your partner should get tested as sometimes its not us with the fertility issues.

Good luck. 🍀

Thank you for your reply. You said your tubes are blocked - did they say you had hydrosalpinx by any chance?

OP posts:

Ridingthewaves19 · 01/01/2024 08:48

No problem. I know it can be very anxiety inducing and stressful!
Nope, my uterus and tubes were noted as healthy. I saw pictures and they looked great. It's all a bit of a mystery atm as to be honest I would have thought that there would have been issues, like hydrosalphinx, due to the blocks. I've had no symptoms of PID either and this was noted as well- no evidence of this.

Original poster

Spinkyttc · 01/01/2024 12:52

Ridingthewaves19 · 31/12/2023 01:19

Hi,

Just seen your post. I would say 5 months is too shorter time to say. It's recommended that after a year and no conception that investigations are done under 35 (I think). The tricky thing with chlamydia is that there's no set time frame as to if and when damage is done. Therefore one person could have it for a year and be fine whilst someone may have had it for months and it's caused damage.

I have recently found out that both my tubes are blocked. I had conceived prior or chlamydia infection from a cheating partner. Sadly Dr's have told me the chlamydia is likely the cause. I had it for around 8 months and had no symptoms.

I only found out as had been trying for 2 years and nothing. As under 35 I was fobbed off loads and it's only when they suspected endo that they did a lap and discovered i had no tubal patency. IVF is likely my only option. I'd give yourself time and use ovulation sticks. If after a year, or near enough, 100% push for investigations. Also your partner should get tested as sometimes its not us with the fertility issues.

Good luck. 🍀

It won't let me reply to your new message for some reason lol. I'm so sorry to hear, it must be extremely frustrating especially after having no symptoms. I was under the impression that blocked tubes happened due to PID infection and not from just chlamydia itself and I also thought PID causes quite bad symptoms so you'd know pretty well if you'd had it? My story had developed quite since this thread. I did end up going to have a Hycosy which actually revealed I have 2 polyps sitting in my uterine cavity and I'm due at my gynaecology referral end of this month for a Hysteroscopy to have them removed. I'm hoping they are the reason why I'm not conceiving as when she tried to flush the dye through, it stopped at the middle of my uterus and didn't go any further. She did say from the ultrasound before that my tubes looked good and didn't show hydrosalpinx so HOPEFULLY they aren't blocked but it's frustrating as the Hycosy didn't work due to the polyps!

OP posts:

Ridingthewaves19 · 01/01/2024 18:02

That's strange! Yes, it was a complete shock. The only symptoms I was getting was bad/heavy periods. I was referred to gynae to investigate as suspected endo. It was horrific finding out that I instead had no tubal patency (they did a lap and dye test) although grateful I didn't have endo or evidence of PID.

To make matters worse there's been no follow up or details as to what has caused the blocks and where abouts In my tubes. I should be finding out soon hopefully- it's been pretty rough not knowing and having incompetent Dr's who have kept information from me/ not given me any plan of action going forward.

I'm glad you've managed to get more answers since you posted. I saw a few off comments but sometimes you have an inkling when something is not right, even if its only been few months. It's also good news that your organs are healthy looking and no hydrosalphinx or adhesions etc. It just shows that some things aren't that obvious. I wish you the best with your upcoming surgeries. Hopefully once sorted you will be able to conceive. Do feel free to update as would be good to hear how things go (only if you want to of course!)

Original poster

Spinkyttc · 01/01/2024 21:45

Ridingthewaves19 · 01/01/2024 18:02

That's strange! Yes, it was a complete shock. The only symptoms I was getting was bad/heavy periods. I was referred to gynae to investigate as suspected endo. It was horrific finding out that I instead had no tubal patency (they did a lap and dye test) although grateful I didn't have endo or evidence of PID.

To make matters worse there's been no follow up or details as to what has caused the blocks and where abouts In my tubes. I should be finding out soon hopefully- it's been pretty rough not knowing and having incompetent Dr's who have kept information from me/ not given me any plan of action going forward.

I'm glad you've managed to get more answers since you posted. I saw a few off comments but sometimes you have an inkling when something is not right, even if its only been few months. It's also good news that your organs are healthy looking and no hydrosalphinx or adhesions etc. It just shows that some things aren't that obvious. I wish you the best with your upcoming surgeries. Hopefully once sorted you will be able to conceive. Do feel free to update as would be good to hear how things go (only if you want to of course!)

Oh wow, that is a massive shock! When you say bad periods, in what sense? My periods have been more painful the first day or so but I was told that could be down to the polyps. I'm now worried that my tubes could be blocked and the tests couldn't confirm it due to the polyps so I'm back to square one. Just want to be sorted and have confirmation my tubes aren't blocked but I can't do that till the polyps are gone!

OP posts:

Ridingthewaves19 · 02/01/2024 13:43

Basically I get really bad cramps to the point I'm crying in pain and can't sleep and constant nausea. Also just heavy and very clotty period and the senstation that i needed a bowel movement but not being able to go. The thing is it's not consistent either. I was going one month having symptoms described above and then the next month having a super light period that would only last a day and a half or two days tops. All really strange given that before my periods, up until 3 years ago, were just regular/occasionally heavy, and normal amounts of pain.

These symptoms also don't align with my blocked tubes as unfortunately got chlamydia off my cheating ex almost 10 years ago. So suspect I've probably be infertile for years and not realised as wasn't having unprotected sex.

In your case it is likely the polyps causing the pain and differences with your period. I hope that once they're removed your tubes will be fine but get that you won't actually know until they remove and re-test patency. Have they done bloodwork at all? As initially I thought my changes may be down to hormones being off.

Have they said when your surgery will be and if they will re test tubes? You may have to push for the re test. Fingers crossed that the polyps are the main cause of your issues though and that this can be fixed.