What are potential complications of untreated gonorrhea in women?

Untreated gonorrhea in women can lead to serious complications, one of the most significant being pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID occurs when bacteria from the cervix or vagina ascend into the upper reproductive organs, such as the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. This infection can result in severe consequences, including chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility, which is a loss of the ability to conceive.

Chronic inflammation due to PID can cause scarring and damage to the reproductive organs. In severe cases, complications can lead to the formation of abscesses or other long-term health issues related to reproductive health. Because of these potential outcomes, early detection and effective treatment of gonorrhea are crucial to preventing these serious complications.

While other options like urinary tract infections and cervical cancer may be concerns associated with different infections, they are not direct complications of untreated gonorrhea in the same manner PID and infertility are. Thus, option C accurately reflects the severe risks associated with untreated gonorrhea.