Even if you are not trying to get pregnant now, did you know that sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, can cause infertility?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also known as the CDC, Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are key players in infertility. On fact, these two STDS are the most significant preventable causes of infertility.
If untreated, up to 40% of women with Chlamydia or gonorrhea will develop Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, or PID.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease can lead to infertility and potentially fatal tubal pregnancy, clinically referred to as an ectopic pregnancy.
An estimated 2.8 million cases of Chlamydia and 718,000 cases of gonorrhea occur annually in the United States.
Most women infected with Chlamydia or gonorrhea have no symptoms.
CDC recommends that all sexually active females 25 and under have an annual Chlamydia screening. Ditto for women older than 25 who have risk factors such as a new sex partner or multiple sex partners.
What is Chlamydia?
As mentioned above, Chlamydia is a Sexually Transmitted Disease.
It is caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis, which can cause severe damage a woman’s reproductive organs. Even though symptoms of chlamydia are almost always mild or even absent, serious complications that cause irreversible damage, including infertility, can occur “silently” before a woman ever recognizes a problem.
Chlamydia also can cause discharge from the penis of an infected man.
About 75% of women who contract Chlamydia have no symptoms. However, in the minority who do experience symptoms, these generally appear in approximately 1-3 weeks and present as a burning sensation when urinating.
What is Gonorrhea?
Gonorrhea, another STD, is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a bacterium that grows and multiplies freely in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, including the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes in women, and in the urethra in both women and men. The bacterium may also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes, and anus.
Some men who contract Gonorrhea have no symptoms. For the men who do have symptoms, they might appear anywhere from 2-30 days after infection, and present as a discharge from the penis.
Most women with Gonorrhea have no symptoms,
The women who do have symptoms may experience burning when urinating or other mild symptoms that can be mistaken for a urinary tract infection.
Both Chlamydia and Gonorrhea may be treated with antibiotics, although there are some strains of Gonorrhea that are proving resistant.
These STDs are key players in infertility and are yet another reason to practice safe sex. Protecting your fertility even when you are not actively trying to get pregnant can help to ensure that you are able to conceive when the time is right!
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and Infertility
Factors Affecting Reproductive Performance Part 3
Infertility Prevention for Women
Common Causes of Infertility in Women: Part I
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