According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs) cause infertility in at least 24,000 women in the United States every year. The most common STIs to cause infertility include chlamydia and gonorrhea, but other STIs have also been implicated. The CDC estimates that there are 2.86 million new cases of chlamydia and 820,000 new cases of gonorrhea in the U.S. every year. Because many women never experience obvious symptoms, many of these cases go undiagnosed and untreated.
Without prompt treatment, some STIs, namely chlamydia and gonorrhea, can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID is a serious condition that occurs when bacteria in the vagina travels into the cervix and upper reproductive organs, including the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. PID causes inflammation in the pelvis, which can lead to damage and scarring of these structures, thereby causing infertility.
It’s important to note that even “silent” infections, where a woman has no obvious symptoms, can cause fertility issues and damage to the reproductive organs. According the the CDC, most women with chlamydia and gonorrhea actually have no symptoms. That is why the CDC recommends yearly chlamydia and gonorrhea screening of all sexually active women younger than 25 years old. Annual screening is also recommended for older women with risk factors, such as new or multiple sex partners.
Unfortunately, for many women, the lasting affects of these infections are not realized until they try to conceive later in life. If you’ve had one of these infections and have been having difficulty conceiving, you may want to ask your physician about ordering a hysterosalpingogram (tubal dye test). This test can look for scarring of the fallopian tubes, which may be the problem.
For women who are not yet ready to conceive, my best advice is to practice safe sex and follow the CDC’s recommendations for sexually transmitted infection screening to protect your future fertility.