One of the most asked questions regarding these two sexually transmitted infections, gonorrhea and chlamydia, is whether such infections cure themselves. These are bacterial infections for which it is usually assumed that treatment must include antibiotics. However, fully understanding the natural history of untreated gonorrhea and chlamydia is fairly limited because of ethical concerns associated with withholding treatment from research subjects.
03 October 2024
5 min read
1413
Understanding Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is widely known by its popular name, 'the clap'. This infection originates from a bacterium known as Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Commonly, it is sexually transmitted and contaminates human beings through sexual contact. It prefers to infect males and females but in different ways. In males, gonorrhea causes an infection in the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine out of the body, while in females, it generally causes an infection in the cervix or the urethra, or both.
With over 450,000 newly diagnosed cases in 2016, gonorrhea was one of the most frequently occurring sexually transmitted diseases in the U.S. A considerable proportion of these infections are present among the younger age group of less than 30 years. Less than half of these infections are reported and treated.
If treated immediately, gonorrhea does not result in severe health complications. However, in case of no timely treatment, it might result in PID, ectopic pregnancy, or infertility complication, especially in females.
Symptoms of Gonorrhea
Although there are occasions when gonorrhea is asymptomatic, the following symptoms are recognized as being common:
Painful urination
Discharge of an unusual nature from the genital area
Sore throat
Symptoms of flu-like nature
Symptoms often appear and are more marked in men, while symptoms for women in the early stages can easily be confused with other infections. Symptoms can begin to develop anytime from 2 to 30 days after exposure. Of course, the fact remains that one can continue passing on gonorrhea even when they are asymptomatic.
Looking at Chlamydia
Like gonorrhea, chlamydia is a U.S. STD on the rise. Sexual contact spreads this bacterium, which infects the urethra, the reproductive organs, the mouth, and the rectum. The cervix is the most common initial site of chlamydial infection in women.
Reportedly, a staggering 1 in every 10 sexually active women test positive for chlamydia. More than half a million new cases of chlamydia were reported to the CDC in the U.S. in 2016.
Symptoms of Chlamydia
Often termed a 'silent' infection owing to its often asymptomatic nature, when chlamydia does present symptoms, these could be:
Frequent or painful urination
Yellowish discharge from genitals
Vaginal bleeding during periods
Rectal discharge, bleeding or pain
The symptoms in men are penile discharge, painful urination, itching or burning sensations of the penis, and testicular pain or swelling.
Natural Clearing up of Gonorrhea and Chlamydia
However, one pertinent issue needs consideration: do gonorrhea and chlamydia clear up themselves? Well, first, it should be pointed out that some viral STDs such as HIV and herpes are lifetime, while others like HPV and Hepatitis B can easily be prevented through vaccination but cannot be cured.
Gonorrhea and chlamydia are treatable yet usually asymptomatic, which might also give a person the impression that the infection has cleared. Complete diagnosis is impossible based on symptoms alone, which justifies how much the screening for a sexually transmitted disease will be helpful to get proper treatment.
For ethical reasons, studies of the 'natural history' of such curable STDs as chlamydia and gonorrhea are few. Furthermore, complications associated with untreated STDs can be far-reaching. Thus, immediate medical attention following suspected exposure is a significant preventive measure.
Possible Complications of Infection - If Untreated
The infections caused by both gonorrhea and chlamydia present grave health risks if left untreated. Both of the infections increase one's risk for contracting HIV infection and for experiencing fertility difficulties.
Potential complications of untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea include PID, tissue damage to the reproductive organs that could result in ectopic pregnancy, infertility, and chronic pain. There is even a risk of transmission to newborns at birth. Emerging evidence even suggests that chlamydia may increase the risk of cervical cancer.
The complications for untreated gonorrhea and chlamydia in men include epididymitis, which can lead to chronic scrotal pain and infertility, even atrophy of the testicles.
Natural Resolution Uncertainty
Some studies test stored specimens taken for other purposes retrospectively for gonorrhea or chlamydia to understand the natural history of such infections. Sometimes asymptomatic people are being routinely tested for an STD, and in case of a positive result, they are retested before treatment to find out whether the infections have disappeared spontaneously. Such studies cannot provide any information regarding the duration of infection prior to diagnosis and the possible length of untreated infection.
The Importance of Early Detection and Treatment
While spontaneous resolution does occur among some individuals, the infection can linger in most other people for months, years, and even throughout life. As such, early detection through std rapid test screening and treatment may prove very important.
Check Your STD Status in Minutes
Test at Home with Remedium Chlamydia & Gonorrhea Test
If one suspects that they have been exposed, the best thing is to go get screened. After a proper diagnosis, one can start treatment. Vaccination against Hepatitis B and HPV should be done. Safe sex must be performed using protection, such as condoms or dental dams.
In all, although self-limiting may be the case in some incidences of gonorrhea and chlamydia infections, reliance on spontaneous resolution is unadvisable. Medical consultation by a professional is important in view of possible serious health hazards from the disease if left untreated.
For Men & Women
Results in Minutes
No Lab Needed
Private & Discreet
