Several underlying health conditions can impact fertility among both men and women. One of the most important factors to consider is sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) which are common nowadays. STDs not only pose reproductive issues but can also take away your ability to conceive. However, this is not the case if an underlying STD is diagnosed at an early stage and treated. Therefore, screening for STD has gained a lot of importance to improve fertility, says, Dr. Saroja Koppala, Fertility Consultant at Nova IVF Fertility, Hyderabad. To know more about the effect of sexually transmitted diseases on fertility, keep reading the article.
How can STD affect fertility?
One of the most common STDs, chlamydia, can affect the throat, urethra, eyes and cervix. Untreated chlamydia can spread the infection from the urethra to the fallopian tubes and uterus. Both chlamydia and gonorrhoea can also cause pelvic inflammatory disease or PID among females. Silent symptoms of PID can damage or block the fallopian tubes, uterus and the tissues around them, causing infertility. Women affected by these STDs generally do not show any symptoms or may show mild ones like abdominal pain, often confused with menstrual pain. Also, if the fallopian tubes are blocked, the sperm would not be able to travel through them and the process of fertilization will not happen.
Even if fertilization happens, the released egg might implant itself there and starts growing there. This will result in an ectopic pregnancy which puts the pregnancy at higher risk.
STDs can also impact male fertility. Again, chlamydia can become dangerous as it generally does not show any symptoms. Chlamydia can damage or kill sperms as the bacterium attach themselves to the sperms. Therefore, STDs can impact sperm production and cause infertility. Gonorrhoea can also pose several issues to sperm health among men.
Also Read: Sexually Active Women Can Get Bacterial Vaginosis, Know More
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Why STD screening is important?
One of the biggest reasons for the importance of getting tested for STDs is that untreated conditions can cause severe problems among both men and women, making them infertile. Untreated STDs can also increase the risk of Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) among women which can take away their ability to conceive. Here are a few other reasons:
Anyone can develop STDs
If you are sexually active, you are prone to develop STDs if you ever had unprotected sex with a partner or have sex with multiple partners. Even if you use a condom, you can still transmit or get infected by STDs.
STDs can be symptomless
Some STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhoea can be symptomless, putting people at higher risk of developing severe conditions. Chlamydia is considered to be a silent infection and at the same time, it can cause a higher level of damage to fertility.
Also Read: Why You’re Not Getting Pregnant? Here Are 8 Reasons for Female Infertility
Importance of early detection
Early detection of STDs can help improve the disease and preserve fertility. Problems like PID and blocked fallopian tubes can be prevented by early diagnosis and proper treatment.
STI screening is quick and easy. Many doctors recommend that sexually active men and women should get screened for STDs, especially women. It is important to get tested at least once a year. The tests for different STDs might differ. For some, your urine sample will be tested while for others, a swab of saliva or discharge will be tested. Getting tested for STDs can be embarrassing for a lot of people. However, this is not true when it comes to one’s health. Early diagnosis of STD can also be good for the foetus if a pregnancy happens.
Take some steps to prevent the transmission of STDs. Go for regular health check-ups and use a condom for sexual intercourse. Avoid having sex with multiple partners or having sex with a partner who has multiple partners. Make sure you address any gynaecological issues to your doctor before it gets too late!
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