Silent Infertility: Overlooked Infections That Can Impact Conception in Women

When couples are trying to conceive, fertility health becomes the most crucial factor. Fertility refers to the ability to conceive, while infertility is defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy after trying for almost 12 months with unprotected intercourse. Usually, the causes of infertility include age, stress, or hormonal imbalance, however, in rare cases, the reason could be infections as well.

Certain infections may not seem serious and can manifest with mild symptoms, but they can still affect the reproductive system and hinder the ability to get pregnant. To understand more about this silent infertility factor, the Onlymyhealth editorial team reached out to Dr Ila Gupta, Chairperson and Chief IVF Consultant at Pristyn Care Ferticity, New Delhi. With nearly 30 years of experience, Dr Gupta discussed infections that can cause infertility, warning signs, diagnosis and ways to prevent.

The Hidden Risk That Many Women Neglect

Some women may ignore a little unease or abnormal discharge as nothing major. But, these and other abnormal symptoms may signal infections which can be dangerous to the uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes, eventually leading to infertility.

Dr Ila Gupta, explains, “Some infections can remain dormant or show no symptoms for a long time. By the time women think of getting treatment to help with conceiving, the damage such as blocked or scarred fallopian tubes, will have already happened.”

Also Read: Expert Consensus: The Link Between Job Stress and Infertility Explained

Infections That Can Affect Fertility

Here are some of the infections that Dr Gupta highlighted during the discussion:

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea

These are common Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) that can remain symptomless. If left untreated, this can even lead to pelvic inflammatory conditions which can cause fallopian tube blockage and reduce the chances of natural conception.

Genital Tuberculosis (TB)

In India, genital TB is an unexpectedly common cause of multiple IVF failures. It affects the uterus lining and prevents the embryo from implanting.

Chronic Vaginal Infections

Chronic or recurrent yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis have been linked to infertility. They can disrupt the vaginal balance and create a hostile environment to sperm and may impact conception.

Recurring Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Frequent UTIs can often indicate underlying issues within the pelvis that can also affect fertility.

Warning Signs That You Shouldn’t Ignore

The challenge with these infections is that they don’t always cause obvious pain or show any symptoms easily. However, Dr Gupta shares few warning signs that women should be mindful of:

• Abnormal vaginal discharge
• Discomfort or pain during sexual intercourse, dyspareunia (medical term for painful intercourse)
• Spotting in between menstrual cycles periods
• Burning sensation while passing urine
• Persistent mild pain in the pelvic region

Dr Gupta mentions,"Many women keep ignoring or indulging in self-medication for years, this delay in seeking medical help can cost precious fertile periods."

Diagnosis and Care

Dr Gupta explained that Laparoscopy, Hysterosalpingography (HSG), and a range of other advanced tests and scans can be performed to identify infections at an earlier stage. Many women improve their fertility with medical care, be it antibiotic treatment or other less invasive surgical techniques.

"Not every case of infertility is related to age or hormones. Sometimes, it’s about listening to small signs you keep receiving from your body. Early screening is necessary to keep away major infertility issues," says Dr Gupta. "If a woman has a medical history of repeated infections or unexplained infertility, looking for hidden infections should be the first step."

Also Read: PCOS & Infertility: Breaking Down the Barriers

What Women Should Do

• Recurrent infections shouldn’t be ignored, even if they seem minor to you.
• Schedule a preconception checkup, especially when you want to plan a pregnancy.
• Self-medication with over-the-counter medication is a big no.
• Safe sexual practice and good hygiene are a must.
• Seek professional help if conception is delayed.

Bottomline

Silent infections are like hidden enemies, but when you are aware and seek timely treatment, you can prevent or even reverse their effect. Treating infections at the right time opens the door for natural conception or improves the chances of successful IVF outcomes.