Can unprotected sex lead to infertility?

By Michelle Sobel

 We’re all very aware that one mistake can lead to an unwanted pregnancy.  But that same night of unprotected sex can actually lead to unwanted infertility.  What if just one mistake could cost you your ability to become a mother or father?

As scary as it sounds, it’s a very real situation. And it’s a situation too many people ignore by not getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

One in four Americans will get an STD in their lifetime. Of the estimated 19 million new STD cases every year, chlamydia and gonorrhea are the most common.  And, if left untreated, the most common consequences of these two STDs are infertility and/or pregnancy complications.

This can be particularly devastating for women as both chlamydia and gonorrhea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID is an infection that attacks the uterus and fallopian tubes, leading to the possibility of infertility or life-threatening pregnancies.  According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 4 out of 10 untreated chlamydia cases will turn into pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). And it’s estimated that 100,000 women become infertile each year due to PID.

These two diseases can also be very dangerous for pregnant women as they are among the leading causes of prenatal pneumonia and pink eye, according to the CDC. These problems can lead to infant blindness or even death.

Both chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause serious problems for men as well, spreading to the penis, prostate and testicles, causing pain and inflammation. In more rare cases, they can spread to the epididymis (the tube that caries sperm), causing pain, fever and even sterility.

Although not as common as chlamydia and gonorrhea, syphilis is another STD that can cause pregnancy problems and even death if left untreated. If a mother has had the disease during the four years before pregnancy, there is a 70% chance that the fetus will be infected with congenital syphilis, which can lead to the infant’s death.

Unfortunately, these STDs often have no warning signs so those infected simply live a normal life, likely spreading it to others unwittingly.   The good news is that chlamydia and gonorrhea are curable with antibiotics.  If you haven’t been tested for STDs, it’s easy and fast.  You can ask your doctor, go to a clinic, or use a private online service. 

Chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis are hidden epidemics.  Very few people realize all the consequences of one night of unprotected sex, but now you do.  So get smart and make sure that you practice safe sex each and every time.  And, today, get an STD test.  You’ll be glad you did. 

Michelle Sobel is the co-founder of Analyte Media and publisher of STD Test Express. She also regularly discusses sexual health issues on her blog, Unzipped.

 

 

Comments

[STD Testing]

Michelle, such a great post. So many men and women have no idea of the consequences from unprotected sex. We find this everyday in our industry of course. STD testing is so important. Especially since some STD's are asymptomatic.