Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a significant yet often overlooked threat to reproductive health, especially when untreated. Many STDs progress silently, causing long-term complications like infertility and increased risks during pregnancy. This blog highlights the hidden dangers of untreated STDs and offers actionable prevention tips.
Why Do STDs Often Go Untreated?
One of the main reasons STDs go untreated is their frequent lack of symptoms. Many STDs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, can be asymptomatic, meaning you might not notice anything unusual. This lack of symptoms is dangerous because it allows infections to progress and cause damage to the reproductive system without warning. When left untreated, STDs can lead to serious health issues, including infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and an increased risk of ectopic pregnancies.
The Impact of Untreated STDs on Reproductive Health
Infertility
Conditions like chlamydia and gonorrhea, when untreated, can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a serious infection that damages the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. PID is a leading cause of infertility, affecting roughly 10-15% of women with untreated chlamydia. When the fallopian tubes are scarred, it becomes difficult for eggs to travel to the uterus, leading to infertility and a higher risk of ectopic pregnancy. While men are less likely to become infertile due to STDs, untreated infections like chlamydia can lead to epididymitis, an inflammation of the tubes attached to the testicles, which can cause damage to sperm production and quality.
Pregnancy Complications
Untreated STDs pose serious risks during pregnancy. Infections like syphilis, herpes, and gonorrhea can be passed from mother to child, leading to severe health issues for the baby, including congenital disabilities, low birth weight, preterm delivery, and even infant death. HIV can also be passed to the baby. Certain STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhea can increase the risk of preterm birth.
Chronic Pelvic Pain
PID, commonly resulting from untreated STDs, can cause chronic pelvic pain due to internal scarring and inflammation in the reproductive organs. This pain can persist long-term and often requires ongoing medical intervention. In severe cases, untreated STDs can also spread to other parts of the body, like the liver, and even cause life-threatening infections if they enter the bloodstream (a condition known as sepsis).
Cancer
Certain viral STDs, such as human papillomavirus (HPV), are linked to cancer. HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer and can also cause cancers of the throat, anus, and genitals. Early detection of HPV can prevent these cancers through treatment and, in the case of HPV, vaccination. However, untreated HPV infections can progress over time and lead to abnormal cell changes, resulting in cancer if left unmonitored.
Preventing and Managing STDs
There are ways to mitigate STD exposure and spread. If you are sexually active, regular screenings are essential. Many pregnancy centers offer free STD testing and treatment. Using barrier methods of contraception (like condoms) consistently and correctly reduces your risk of contracting STDs. Just remember – hormonal methods of birth control (like the pill) offer no protection against STDs!
While these methods may reduce your risk of contracting an STD, the only 100% way of avoiding STDs is abstinence. Abstinence, or refraining from sexual activity, is the most effective way to avoid contracting sexually transmitted diseases. Since STDs are primarily spread through sexual contact, choosing abstinence completely eliminates the risk of exposure. This approach is especially crucial for young people who are at higher risk for STDs and often face challenges with consistent prevention measures, such as condom use. Abstinence allows individuals to focus on building emotional connections without the added risk of infections that can have long-term health consequences.
Practicing sexual risk avoidance (abstinence) until you are in a committed, healthy relationship can help strengthen relational bonds, prevent pregnancy scares, and help avoid contracting an STD!
