Chlamydia: The Female Reproductive System and Infertility

Abstract

Chlamydial infection can cause diseases in many organs, including the genitourinary system. It is the most reported sexually transmitted bacterial infection throughout the world and one of the leading cause of female infertility. Chlamydia affects columnar epithelium, so adolescent women are particularly at risk since the squamocolumnar junction is located on the ectocervix until early adulthood. The bacterium is usually transmitted through sexual activity. Genital tract infection is the most common clinical picture but 50% of infected men and 80% of infected women are asymptomatic. This is the most important reason for the infection’s being unrecognized and untreated. The most significant morbidity related to infection is partial or total sterility due to obstruction and scarring of the fallopian tubes. Chlamydia trachomatis infection, even if it does not present clinical symptoms, has been shown to be associated with increased tubal factor infertility, implantation failure, and disruption of embryo development.