Thanks to modern medicine, it’s possible to cure a wide range of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and manage others. Depending on the circumstances, though, treating an STD may not necessarily be enough to prevent permanent damage. If you are wondering how a past diagnosis or treatment might have affected your reproductive health, consult an infertility specialist. In the meantime, here is what you should know about STDs and how they can impact fertility. 

Potential Complications of STDs

STDs that can lead to infertility include gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and human papillomavirus (HPV). Most of these conditions do not cause infertility directly, but they can result in complications that affect reproductive health. For example, chlamydia can infect the Fallopian tubes, which may result in permanent damage. Likewise, HPV can cause cervical cancer. The most common treatments for this cancer include hysterectomy and chemotherapy, both of which can affect a woman’s ability to become pregnant. 

Many of the same STDs can impact male fertility. For example, if left untreated, both gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause scarring, inflammation, and subsequent blockages that inhibit sperm production. Mycoplasma infections, which can be transmitted sexually, may affect male fertility as well. When these bacteria attach to the sperm cells, they inhibit motility.

Preventive Strategies 

Even if you’re not planning on having children anytime soon, infertility specialists encourage everyone to protect their reproductive health by taking steps to prevent STDs. The best way to do this is by practicing safe sex, which means limiting your number of partners and always using a barrier birth control method, like a male or female condom. 

Staying on top of your health can also ensure timely treatment if you contract an STD, thereby preventing complications from arising. For example, women should get regular Pap smears as recommended by their gynecologist, while men should visit their primary care physician once a year for a comprehensive exam. 

If you’re concerned about your reproductive health after dealing with an STD, turn to an infertility specialist at Pacific In Vitro Fertilization Institute. Located in Honolulu, this practice has helped people become parents since 1985. Their compassionate team is available seven days a week for your convenience. To learn more about the institute’s services, visit their website, or call (808) 946-2226 to schedule a consultation with an infertility specialist today.