by Maggie Wilson

Created on: June 29, 2008

Fact Sheet - Sexually Transmitted Disease and Infertility.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can cause infertility in both men and women.
Thirty eight percent of infertility cases are caused by sexually transmitted diseases. This is the most avoidable cause of infertility (an inability to conceive after more than a year of unprotected sex) .
STD's are infections that are transferred from one person to another through sexual, oral, or anal intercourse, sharing needles, mutual masturbation and contact with infected bodily fluids. They cause a lot of symptoms and complications such as genital itching, painful sex as well as infertility. It is important all women who are sexually active are routinely screened and treated for STDs to reduce the risk of infertility and prevent the risk of serious side effects resulting from infection.

Women can develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) as a result of having had a sexually transmitted disease. PID is a primary cause of infertility. It causes scarring of the fallopian tubes, which may either entirely obstruct the tubes or injure the mucosa and cilia,. This will affect their correct functioning and cause resulting infertility.
Symptoms - symptoms of PID include-fever, lower abdominal pain , tenderness, and vaginal discharge. If treated quickly the risk of infertility is reduced.
Causes - Gonococcal and chlamydial infections are specific STDs that have been shown to directly cause PID. If left untreated the gonorrhoea and Chlamydia can reach the pelvic region and infect the ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes, leading to PID.
Chlamydia shows no symptoms and is therefore hard to recognize, and can result in severe tubal damage without the awareness of having had a STD.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), is another common STD. It causes AIDS and is life threatening, spreading through sexual intercourse, blood transfusions, sharing needles as well as through breast milk. Therefore, both partners' should be tested for HIV prior to conception is achieved.
Other STD's and infections include Herpes, Hepatitis B, Trichomoniasis, and Pubic Lice. Herpes is transmitted via skin-to-skin contact and can cause itching and burning of the genitals and anus. While Hepatitis B is transmitted by sharing needles, and sexual contact and can cause nausea, vomiting, fever, and loss of appetite, abdominal pain and even liver damage. Trichomoniasis causes swelling of the fallopian tubes and leads to infertility and pubic lice feed on blood and causes itching and irritation. All of which can have a devastating effect on fertility.
Screening for Sexually transmitted diseases is widely available, as is sexual health education. They are all avoidable by the used of protection, thus avoiding the risk of infertility caused in this way.

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