Sexually transmitted diseases, STDs, also called sexually transmitted infections or STIs, can cause immediate, annoying symptoms with long-lasting, serious repercussions. Few people realize that these sexually transmitted diseases can cause damage that may eventually lead to infertility.
There are many types of STIs, and it is important to be aware of them all. Understanding their connection to reproductive health can help in preventing infertility and not impede your ability to have children.
What are STIs and STDs?
Although STDs and STIs are synonymous, STI is the preferred term because it demonstrates the potential for passing on an infection despite not showing any symptoms of the disease.
It is estimated that approximately 75 percent of sexually active women and men will contract some sort of STI in their lifetime.
According to one report, about 19 million new cases of sexually transmitted infections occur each year in the United States, half of these occurring in young people aged 15 to 24 years.
In fact, 25 percent of sexually active teens acquire one or more sexually transmitted infections. However, all individuals (adults and teenagers alike) who engage in sexual activities are at risk.
How do I get a STI?
Sexually transmitted infections are passed between humans during unprotected sexual intercourse, including vaginal intercourse, anal sex, or oral sex. Other ways these infections can be passed on is through sharing IV needles, childbirth or breastfeeding.
If left untreated, STIs can lead to infertility. Oftentimes, there are no apparent signs of an STI and the infection can even go undetected for years.
The top five STDs that affect fertility are chlamydia, gonorrhea, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), syphilis, and human papillomavirus (HPV).
Research is still being conducted to determine how these infections affect fertility. For example, cervical abnormalities have been found to be common in HIV-infected women.
Even women who have had premature delivery in the past are now recommended by some doctors for screening and treatment of bacterial vaginosis to avoid further complications that could lead to secondary infertility.
PID: the most common cause of infertility
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is the most common cause of infertility, and often goes undetected due to its asymptomatic nature.
PID is a term used to describe an upward traveling infection in the female body that results from vaginal intercourse with an infected partner. The infection causes fallopian tube, ovarian and/or pelvic damage.
The primary bacteria responsible for PID are chlamydia and gonorrhea. Left untreated, almost half of chlamydia and gonorrhea infections progress to PID.
In the US, more than one million women each year seek treatment for PID, and more than 100,000 become infertile because of this disease. Gonorrhea is thought to account for 40 percent of all PID cases. Chlamydia can also spread from the urethra to the testicles and cause permanent disability and sterility in men if left untreated.
Protection against HPV, human papillomavirus
HPV, human papillomavirus, is the most prevalent STI in the US. HPV causes cervical cancer, the second leading type of cancer in women worldwide.
It is believed that about twenty-five million women have HPV, nearly half of whom are between the ages of 20 and 24. Approximtely11,000 American women are diagnosed each year and 3,700 will die of the disease.
HPV can also negatively affect fertility in the future because treatments for HPV include chemotherapy, or in extreme cases, hysterectomies.
HPV virus is so widespread that scientists compare it to the common cold. It can metastasize years after transmission, often affecting women in their late 30s.
Luckily, there are new vaccines that can help prevent the spread of this silent, but fertility-compromising disease. Studies are still being conducted to determine the vaccinations’ long-term efficiency and side-effects. It is strongly recommended that everyone who is sexually active should carefully consider the possible benefits. Additionally, since the current vaccinations only last five years, the need for continued screening is crucial.
How to prevent STIs
Here are some ways you can prevent STIs and in doing so, also prevent infertility:
- Use condoms each and every time you have sex definitely lowers transmission of STIs, but does not prevent them all
- Be aware of the signs and symptoms of STIs and be vigilant about any you may experience
- Seek professional treatment early
With the proper education and resources, the prevalence of STIs can be significantly lowered, if not eradicated entirely. Sexually active people need to understand what types of sexual behavior can cause STDs. By informing the population about the types of STDs, their symptoms and their effect on reproductive health, we can help in preventing infertility due to complications from these diseases.
Prevention, along with early detection and treatment can help lower your risk of infertility.
This content is Copyright The American Fertility Association (AFA) 2010. This content is intended for personal use and may not be distributed or reproduced without AFA consent. Please contact info@theafa.org or visit theafa.org for more information.
Sources: The American Fertility Association
