infections
Several infections can affect a woman’s fertility. Most often the impact is short-term and can be corrected once the infection is diagnosed and treated. In some instances however, especially with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), the effects can be long term.
urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Recurrent UTIs are not necessarily a sign of a fertility problem, but are sometimes indicative of other problems. A UTI is an infection anywhere in the urinary tract, which includes the urethra, bladder and kidneys. If a woman has a history of chronic UTIs her physician needs to be informed. UTIs may indicate pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or immunological problems.
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
When one thinks of STDs they tend to think of syphilis, gonorrhea, or AIDS. There are several STDs that are common and may have a serious impact on a woman’s fertility. They include chlamydia, which affects over 4 million women annually. Even if a woman was diagnosed and treated for chlamydia several years ago the lingering effects can be destructive. Chlamydia can cause scarring if not treated right away, and can eventually lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID is one of the major causes of infertility among young women in their reproductive years. The more times PID occurs, the greater the risk for infertility.
yeast infections
Like urinary tract infections (UTIs), recurrent yeast infections may be a sign of an underlying condition. Women should mention this to their healthcare providers or infertility specialists since frequent yeast infections may indicate pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or immunological problems.