Chlamydia trachomatis Infection Could Be a Risk Factor for Infertility in Women: A Prospective Descriptive Study

To determine whether previous Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection among sexually active women is significantly associated with a diagnosis of infertility.

A prospective descriptive study was conducted in Lleida Health Region (Spain). Women who attended medical consultations for infertility at a public university hospital in 2021 were included in the study. Data were collected during January and February 2022 using the hospital's electronic records and clinical interviews.

The study revealed that having immunoglobulin (Ig)G antibodies for CT was associated with an increased rate of infertility compared to patients with negative titers(p-value < 0.05). Age was also associated with infertility. There was no statistically significant difference among the other characteristics studied, such as previous sexually transmitted infections (STI), previous miscarriages, preliminary cervical lesions, and levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), prolactin, and anti-mullerian hormone (p-value > 0.05).

The study showed a high prevalence of infertility among women who had IgG CT antibodies. Although more studies should be conducted, promoting strategies among young women to control this infection may help reduce infertility.