Thinking of starting a family? Your sexual health history may affect your fertility and reproductive future more than you realize. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), even those that cause no symptoms, can have lasting effects on your ability to conceive and have a healthy pregnancy.
In addition to testing your fertility and knowing your STI status, it’s important to understand the connection between the two. Here’s what you need to know about STIs and fertility.
How can STIs affect fertility?
The most common STIs, like chlamydia and gonorrhea, often have no symptoms but can damage your reproductive system if untreated. Untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, which can lead to infertility through damage and scarring of the fallopian tubes. They can also increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy, a potentially serious condition in which a fertilized egg develops outside of the womb (typically in a fallopian tube instead).
Chlamydia and gonorrhea can also affect male fertility. If left untreated, these STIs can cause epididymitis, an inflammation of the coiled tube at the back of the testicle that, in some rare cases, can lead to reduced fertility.
Other STIs may pose some risks to reproductive health as well. For example, according to some studies, herpes could potentially affect sperm quantity and quality.
What if I have an STI while I’m pregnant?
According to the Office on Women’s Health, having an STI during pregnancy could lead to preterm birth (labor before 37 weeks of pregnancy) as well as infection in the uterus after birth.
Additionally, some STIs can be passed from a pregnant person to the baby before and during the baby’s birth. Syphilis, for example, can cross the placenta and infect the baby in the womb. Chlamydia, gonorrhea and herpes, on the other hand, can pass from the pregnant person to the baby as the baby moves through the birth canal during delivery. With HIV, both scenarios are possible: The virus can cross the placenta during pregnancy, and it can infect the baby during delivery.
STIs can complicate the pregnancy and may cause serious health conditions in both the pregnant person and the baby.
Testing, testing: Do you know your STI status?
When it comes to STIs, testing is paramount, as most infections are curable if detected early.
Wondering how often you should be tested for STIs? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual chlamydia and gonorrhea screening for:
- All sexually active women younger than 25 years
- Women 25 years and older with risk factors such as new or multiple sex partners or a sex partner who has an STI
- All sexually active gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men
- Additional STI screening recommendations include:
- Testing for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C for those who are pregnant
- HIV testing for all adults and adolescents from ages 13 to 64 at least once
- Annual syphilis, HIV and hepatitis C testing for all sexually active men who have sex with men
- More frequent STI testing (i.e., every 3-6 months) for syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV for all sexually active men who have sex with men (multiple or anonymous partners)
How do you get tested for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Trichomoniasis?
Knowing your STI status is an important part of protecting your reproductive health and future fertility. If you are sexually active, you can purchase Labcorp OnDemand's Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Trichomoniasis STI Test today. This 3-in-1 panel screens for the three most common STIs that can impact fertility if left untreated and is easy and convenient.
Take control of your sexual health and get tested today. Regular STI screening and early treatment can prevent long-term reproductive consequences down the road.
