Sexually transmitted diseases or STDs are illnesses that are transmitted from one person to the other through sexual intercourse. This type of disease is most common among adults aged 25 and younger. There are more than 20 types of sexually transmitted diseases, and they affect both men and women.  

Most often, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which are caused by different bacteria or viruses, lead to STDs. Many studies discuss STIs and STDs and the consequences they have on the person’s body. Still, in today’s blog post, we will concentrate on infertility and whether an STD can affect the fertility of people suffering from it. 

It is known that STDs can be the cause of infertility in both women and men, either directly or indirectly. When people do not treat an STD on time, the infection spreads all over the reproductive system. It automatically affects the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and vagina, causing scarring, inflammation, and damage. The most common causes of infertility which is a direct consequence of a sexually transmitted disease, are pelvic inflammatory disease and tubal factor infertility, or damage made to the fallopian tubes. 

As stated, if a patient suffering from an STD does not get timely, proper treatment, various issues can develop, including infertility. To ensure you are getting adequate care, you need to choose a specialist who will create a treatment plan for your particular situation. You can count on Women’s Care of Bradenton clinic for such expert services. 

Direct Causes of Infertility 

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When it comes to conditions that can be considered direct culprits of infertility from an STD, they include pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and the tubal factor infertility, i.e., damage to the fallopian tubes. PID causes scars on the vagina, cervix, fallopian tubes, uterus, and ovaries. If the condition is treated on time, there might be a chance to save your fertility potential. Still, if untreated, this condition causes damage that cannot be fixed, leading to infertility. 

Tubal factor infertility (TFI) is a condition that is directly connected to the damage made to fallopian tubes (which can also be caused by pelvic inflammatory disease). TFI is a leading cause of infertility in women, where 35% of infertile patients suffer from this condition. Damage to the fallopian tubes can stop the sperm from reaching the egg, and it can prevent the egg that is fertilized from entering the uterus for implantation. 

Indirect Causes of Infertility 

There are sexually transmitted diseases that indirectly cause infertility. This means that the conditions cause other issues in the reproductive system, which can, over time, lead to infertility. These conditions include herpes simplex virus (HSV), human papillomavirus (HPV), syphilis, chlamydia trachomatis, gonorrhea, etc. Below you can find a more detailed description of these conditions. 

  • Chlamydia trachomatis, or simply chlamydia, is one of the most common STDs reported by patients. It is passed through sexual intercourse, affecting both men and women equally. Often this condition does not carry any symptoms, so patients do not know they are infected. If not treated on time, the disease can cause the development of PID in women and impact sperm health in men. It causes major damage to the fallopian tubes and uterus, automatically decreasing the chance of women becoming pregnant. 
  • Gonorrhea can be transmitted through all types of sexual intercourse – vaginal, oral, or anal. Younger people are more sexually active, so the affected age group is most often people between 15 and 25 years of age. If not treated, gonorrhea thrives in women’s reproductive systems, especially in the uterus and the fallopian tubes. It can cause PID and tubal factor infertility in women, while men can suffer from inflammation of the sperm ducts and scarring, which prevents sperm movement. 
  • Human papilloma virus, or HPV, is one of the most common STIs, and it is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. It causes skin and genital warts and takes a long time to treat. More importantly, HPV can cause precancerous cells in the cervix as well as cervical cancer in women, leading to the removal of those cells, which can negatively affect fertility. In men, HPV causes persistent infection and can lead to genital cancers.
  • Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is an infection that causes genital herpes. Although the name has the word simple in it, there is nothing simple about this infection. If a woman has HSV and becomes pregnant, passing the virus to the baby is very easy, and it can be life-threatening to the infant. On the other hand, genital herpes looks like tiny blisters on the genitals, which can be very painful, leading to a prolonged process of conception. 
  • Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that is most often caused by a bacterial infection transmitted either during sexual intercourse or through having contact with a syphilis sore. If it is not treated, mothers can pass the disease to the babies, but also, if pregnant women suffer from this disease, they have a 50% chance of suffering a miscarriage or stillbirth. In men, sperm ducts can be scarred, and the process of nerve degeneration can cause erectile dysfunction. 

How Can You Treat Infertility Caused by STDs?

Depending on the location of the disease and the damage already made, infertility caused by sexually transmitted diseases can be treated either nonsurgically or via surgery. 

Surgical options include salpingostomy to remove blockages and create an opening next to the ovary. Another option is salpingectomy, where a part of the blocked tube is removed. Tubal ligation reversal surgery is a popular option which includes reopening or untying the fallopian tubes, which have been tied or blocked, to sterilize the person. A non-surgical way to work on issues concerning the tubes is called tubal cannulation. This procedure uses a catheter to find blockages and remove them. 

When it comes to pelvic inflammatory disease, doctors often recommend antibiotics and avoidance of sexual relations until the therapy is done. If the case is very severe, surgery might be advised. 

Generally, most STDs can be treated with antibiotics, prescription medication, and refraining from sexual intercourse until the end of treatment. Unfortunately, sometimes there is no space for any type of treatment, and the recommended step is using in vitro fertilization to get pregnant. 

Whatever the case may be, make sure you contact your chosen doctor and share your concerns and questions with them, so they can offer timely and proper treatment and ensure your fertility is intact. 

Prevention 

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The most obvious solution when it comes to preventing STDs is to refrain from having sexual relations without condoms. If you see some symptoms, such as warts, rashes, discharge, etc., in your partner or yourself, please do not engage in sexual contact. 

Another important recommendation is to limit the number of partners and get regularly tested for STIs and STDs. Additionally, get vaccinated to prevent some STDs from developing, and be very open in communicating with your sexual partners about this topic. 

If you do get a diagnosis, try not to panic because all STDs are curable; you just need the proper guidance and support. 

We Are Here for You!

Suffering from an STD is quite uncomfortable and scary. Whether your treatment is just antibiotics or the doctors recommend you have a tubal ligation reversal surgery, you need to have an experienced specialist. STDs often cause infertility, so make sure you schedule a consultation with our expert staff to prevent unnecessary stress and discomfort.