Pelvic infections, especially the serious ones that are not treated in time, can lead to serious issues and even cause severe damage to the reproductive organs. Can this affect one’s fertility? Is it quite common or a rare phenomenon? Come, let’s learn more about this possible cause of infertility.
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Pelvic infections are those infections that affect the reproductive organs and are usually caused by sexually transmitted bacteria like gonorrhoea or chlamydia. These infections range from mild to severe and can cause inflammation, pain, fever, abnormal discharge in women, prostatitis in men, and may lead to infertility if left untreated.
Both men and women suffer from pelvic infections. The symptoms are more prominent in women, and when not treated in time, they can even lead to PID – Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, one of the most common causes for infertility in women.
Pelvic infections can cause significant pain and discomfort and affect the quality of life in both men and women. When it comes to fertility, these infections generally affect men by blocking sperm transport, whereas in women, they can affect reproductive function in multiple ways.
Pelvic infections don’t always impact fertility in men. However, when not treated in time, the infection can lead to infertility. The different types of pelvic infections and issues men face are -
Prostatitis – An infection and inflammation of the prostate gland. It is often painful and affects the male pelvis.
Epididymitis – An infection of the coiled tube behind the testicles, often caused by STIs. It can cause severe pain, swelling, and redness in one or both testicles.
Urethritis – inflammation of the urethra, commonly caused by bacterial infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea. Symptoms include painful urination and frequent urges to urinate.
CPPS – Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome – When infections are long-term, it can lead to chronic pelvic pain (groin, bladder, lower abdomen)
STIs – Sexually transmitted infections – the most common are chlamydia and gonorrhoea. Men are asymptomatic carriers, which, when transmitted to women, can cause PID.
Pelvic infections in women can be caused by sexual transmission or through an overgrowth of the vaginal bacteria. In some cases, gut bacteria, when transferred to the vagina, can enter the body and cause pelvic infections, too. Most of these infections can affect fertility in various ways.
Endometriosis – An inflammation of the uterine lining that usually causes very painful periods but also interferes with pregnancy attempts.
Salpingitis – An inflammation of the fallopian tubes, which can prevent the egg from descending or the sperm from ascending to fertilise the egg.
Oophoritis – Infection of the ovaries caused by sexually transmitted bacteria, viruses like mumps, or even autoimmune issues. This infection attacks the ovarian tissues, leading to chronic pelvic pain, adhesions in the ovaries, and even infertility.
Tubo-Ovarian Abscess – Mostly a severe complication of PID that causes the formation of pus-filled pockets in the ovaries or the fallopian tubes, leading to fertility issues.
Parametritis – An infection of the connective tissue surrounding the uterus.
PID – Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is the most common grouping of pelvic infections in women. PID affects the upper reproductive system and the organs in it. It can cause inflammation in the uterus, fallopian tubes, or the ovaries. The most common cause is STIs, but bacteria can also enter the reproductive organs after childbirth, miscarriage, a pelvic surgery, or even after the insertion of an intrauterine device.
Without timely diagnosis and treatment, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease can lead to severe complications. The longer the infection lasts, the greater the risk of scar tissue forming in the reproductive organs. The scarring can impact fertility in the following ways -
Block Fallopian Tubes – The scar tissue can block one or both fallopian tubes. This is the tube through which the eggs descend every month during ovulation, and the sperm also travel up this tube to meet the egg for fertilisation. This scarring disrupts these processes, resulting in infertility.
Ectopic Pregnancy – Scarring in or around the uterus can prevent the fertilised egg from entering and implanting in the uterus. If the egg implants outside the uterus, it is known as an ectopic pregnancy. This type of pregnancy cannot progress and can be dangerous for the mother, too.
Whether you are male or female, taking a few precautions to prevent pelvic infections is safer and more effective than treating the infection or dealing with its impact.
Limit sexual partners, as most pelvic infections are caused by STIs in both men and women.
Use protection like condoms or diaphragms in addition to birth control pills, as pills can only prevent pregnancy and not infections.
Once you notice any symptoms like pelvic pain, odd-looking or smelly discharge, urine retention, pain when urinating, or failure to conceive, check with a doctor and take the necessary steps.
Women should go for regular gynaecological exams to ensure everything is in order and to identify issues at the earliest.
Diagnosed With Pelvic Infections
When diagnosed with any pelvic infections (serious and non-serious)
Inform your sexual partners and ask them to get checked too.
Ensure you take all the medications and antibiotics as instructed until you finish the entire course.
Take only those medications prescribed by your doctor and avoid self-medications
Avoid home remedies without the doctor’s approval.
Women should avoid douching as it can push the bacteria further up the vagina and into the reproductive system.
Wait a full week after medications to resume sexual activities.
Pelvic infections can be caused by sexually transmitted infections or even your gut bacteria. Whatever the reason may be, treating the root cause and controlling its effects is the key to preventing infertility or other fertility-related issues. Listen to your body, take regular tests, and follow safe sex practices to prevent such complications.
Pelvic infections, such as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, can cause inflammation in various parts of the pelvic region where the reproductive organs are located. It can cause damage like scarring, adhesions, or blockage in the fallopian tubes, thus preventing the egg from descending or the sperm from going up to meet the egg, resulting in infertility.
Yes, pelvic infections like prostatitis, epididymitis, and orchitis can cause inflammation, blockage, or scars in the reproductive tract and hinder the sperm’s movement. This can reduce the sperm count, motility, and quality, thus affecting fertility. Chronic pelvic infections and pain can negatively impact libido and also cause erectile issues.
Practising safe sex can prevent the transfer of infections. In the case of multiple sexual partners, regular screening scans help identify infections at the earliest. Treating the infection immediately can prevent further damage and complications like infertility.
Yes, pelvic infections like Pelvic Inflammatory Disease can cause inflammation or adhesions in the fallopian tubes, thus blocking them. This will prevent the eggs from descending, and the sperm from going up; as a result, fertilisation does not take place, leading to infertility. STIs like chlamydia or gonorrhoea can trigger such inflammations and adhesions.
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