Safe sex and reducing the risk of STIs is a cornerstone of sexual health – especially as contracting STIs can have both short and long-term effects on your health But did you know that if left untreated, many STIs could have a devastating impact on your fertility?
We’ve teamed up with Yoxly to teach you about the impact of STIs on fertility – and to share how you can get tested easier than ever before!
STIs that can affect fertility
STIs and Fertility – Chlamydia
Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections and in some cases, there will be no symptoms, so it’s even more important to get tested. If you do have symptoms of chlamydia they may include white, cloudy or watery discharge from the vagina or penis. Pain when having sex, pain when you pass urine or bleeding in between periods or bleeding after sex.
If chlamydia is left untreated it can spread and cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease otherwise known as PID. PID is when the chlamydia has spread to the womb, ovaries or fallopian tubes. If this happens, it can cause problems with your fertility. It could make it harder to get pregnant, you may have long-lasting pain, or you may be at more risk of having an ectopic pregnancy.
Chlamydia can also affect the health of your baby. It can infect your baby during labour and cause an eye or chest infection (or even pneumonia). Babies with these infections need treatment with antibiotics but this can all be prevented with testing prior to fertility treatment or during pregnancy.
If Chlamydia is left untreated in men it can also cause problems with fertility. The chlamydia can cause inflammation in the testicles or in the tubes that carry the sperm. If you are about to embark on fertility treatment it is likely that you and your partner will be screened for chlamydia.
The good news is chlamydia is easily treated with a course of antibiotics, so don’t be afraid of getting tested! If you have the infection and catch it early, you will be clear within a couple of weeks and ready to continue on your fertility journey.
STIs and Fertility – Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection – if left untreated it can cause problems with fertility in the same way chlamydia does. It can lead to PID in women and painful infection in the testicles and prostate gland for men, which may lead to reduced fertility in a small number of cases.
Gonorrhoea can also be passed to newborn babies through vaginal delivery. It can cause gonococcal conjunctivitis, which can lead to blindness in some cases.
The best way to prevent risk to both you and your baby is screening and treatment for the infection before conception.
STIs and Fertility – Syphilis
Syphilis is a bacterial infection that is treatable with antibiotics if caught early. However, if it goes left untreated it can cause issues for your fertility. Studies have shown that advanced syphilis can impact both male and female fertility and can lead to an increased risk of miscarriage.
People with syphilis may get a painless genital sore in the early stage of syphilis. However, sometimes symptoms go unnoticed, so it’s important to get regular check-ups.
A syphilis infection during pregnancy can be very dangerous for the baby. A screening test can help ensure it’s detected and treated as soon as possible.
STIs and Fertility – HIV
HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system. It makes it harder for your body to fight everyday diseases and infections. HIV is not currently curable, however, treatment has come a long way. With the right drugs and medical care, it can be controlled and managed so you can still lead a happy, healthy life.
Just because you have HIV does not mean you and your partner can’t have a baby. There are numerous options for your fertility journey. Studies have shown that if you are on effective treatment and your viral load is undetectable then you can’t pass HIV on. This means it’s possible to have unprotected sex and conceive naturally and safely.
HIV can be passed onto the baby through pregnancy, birth or through breastfeeding. However, If your viral load is undetectable then it also dramatically reduces the risk of passing the virus on to the baby (down to below 1%).
Some couples decide to go down the route of at-home insemination and in some places, you can now access IVF and IUI. There are also other assisted fertility treatments, like sperm washing, which can help you conceive a healthy baby safely.
STIs and Fertility – Hepatitis
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver and there are five main types A, B, C, D, E. Sometimes hepatitis can resolve on its own without lasting damage but it can also cause long-term liver damage. Hepatitis B and C have also been linked to poor sperm quality.
Hepatitis B can be transmitted through having sex and it is hard to know if you have hepatitis without having a blood test. In pregnancy, Hepatitis B is routinely screened for and if it’s detected the baby will be offered a course of immunisations to reduce the risk of them contracting it.
How to find out if you have any STIs
To keep yourself safe and to protect you should be regularly tested for sexually transmitted infections. If you have had unprotected sex there could be a chance you have an STI, even if you are asymptomatic – and even if it was a long time ago! Getting a check-up protects you, your partner and your future fertility – and will put your mind at ease!.
At Home Testing
Yoxly has made getting tested for STIs easier than ever before. You can simply order one of their kits directly to your home, administer the test yourself and post it, then wait for your results to be delivered to your inbox.
They offer various packages ranging from a basic chlamydia and gonorrhoea test up to a fully comprehensive blood test that tests for a total of 8 STIs, including HIV and Hepatitis.
