Chlamydia

Chlamydia and Gonococcal disease, and more rarely endometriosis and still less commonly, tuberculosis (which is rarely seen in Australia now), can occlude the fallopian tubes.  Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease, in young people(males included) Symptoms can be relatively minor, compared to the devastating effects on the pelvis.  After one infection with Chlamydia, the fertility rate decreases by 30%.  After 3 infections, it decreases by 90%. 

This picture shows typical” violin string adhesions”, under the diaphragm (it is called  Fitzu -Curtis syndrome, after the two Canadian medical students that named them,) and they are caused by Chlamydia infection.

Treatment of Chlamydia involves the use of either Azithromycin 500mg ,4 tablets at once, or an extended use of Tetracycline at a high dose.  The partner obviously needs to be checked as well and follow up tests need to be done to confirm that the infection has been cleared.

When Chlamydia has not been caught soon enough, the tubes become grossly dilated – this is called a called hydrosalpinx.