Can pelvic problems cause infertility?

Yes, pelvic problems or infections can lead to infertility if they spread to your uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries. It can significantly affect your reproductive organs. Getting treatment on time reduces your chances of infertility.

What infection causes pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility?

Bacterial infections caused by STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhoea are the leading causes of pelvic inflammatory disease. It may affect both male and female fertility. They also damage your reproductive organs when left untreated.

Can a pelvic infection be cured?

Yes, pelvic infection can be cured by starting the treatment immediately after diagnosis. However, the damage or scarring of reproductive organs due to infections is irreversible.

Can Minor Pelvic Infections Affect Fertility? What You Need to Know

Fertility is a very crucial aspect for couples wanting to start a family. Overlooking minor things can be a huge setback in the conception journey. One such thing is ignoring infections or diseases in your pelvic region.

Infections affecting the pelvic region, including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), may affect your reproductive health. They may cause lasting damage to your uterus or fallopian tubes if left untreated. Although you can get treatment, it can leave a lasting impact on your fertility. It is essential to get the treatment on time and follow preventive measures to avoid them.

Understanding Pelvic Infections and Their Types

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) affects the reproductive organs and may originate from various sources. While some infections begin as minor vaginal issues, others, such as genital tuberculosis, can spread from other parts of the body. The entry and spread of harmful bacteria, viruses, or fungi cause these infections. Ignoring the early signs can lead to serious complications over time.

The untreated infection can affect your uterus, fallopian tubes and even ovaries. This can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a more severe infection. The most common infections are bacterial vaginosis (BV), yeast infections, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Yeast infection: It is caused by a fungal overgrowth. It can lead to itching, swelling and thick vaginal discharge. You can take the prescribed medicines from your doctor to treat it.
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV): It is the most common type of infection in which you may experience a vaginal discharge with a fishy odour. The imbalance in your natural bacteria is the cause.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): These are more severe types of infections that are transmitted through sexual contact. Chlamydia and gonorrhoea are the major infections that can affect your reproductive organs. Many STIs are asymptomatic, meaning individuals may not know they are infected until complications like PID arise.
Genital tuberculosis: Though rare in most populations, genital tuberculosis can contribute to pelvic infections. Caused by latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), it may lead to adhesions in the uterine lining and, in some cases, block the fallopian tubes.

How Do Pelvic Infections Impact Fertility?

Normally, your cervix acts as a barrier to stop them from spreading further. However, when bacteria pass through the cervix, they can reach your reproductive organs and cause inflammation. This inflammation may block your fallopian tubes, preventing fertilisation. The chance of ectopic pregnancy is much higher when you have tubal blockage.

If there is scarring on your uterine lining because of the infection, the fertilised egg will be unable to implant. Inflammation or infection can also cause adhesions between reproductive organs, disrupting their normal function.

Repeated or untreated infections significantly increase the risk of fertility complications.

Symptoms of Pelvic Infections

Some symptoms are mild and can be difficult to identify, but the most severe infections include the following symptoms:

Pain in your lower abdomen.
Unusual or heavy vaginal discharge with an odour.
Vaginal bleeding and pain during or after intercourse.
Fever with or without chills.
Discomfort during urination.

Risk Factors Associated with Pelvic Infections

When pelvic infections progress to pelvic inflammatory disease, they can pose serious risks to your reproductive health.

Infertility: The damage caused by scar tissue formation or adhesions can make it difficult to conceive. The chances of infertility increase with each episode of infection that is not treated.
Pelvic pain: You can experience pelvic pain for years. It is more noticeable during ovulation or intercourse because of scarring in your tubes.
Ectopic pregnancy: It can result from the blockage of the tubes due to scar tissue. The block prevents the fertilised egg from implanting in your uterus.
Tubo-ovarian abscess: An infection can lead to the development of pus or abscess in your reproductive organs. This can be fatal when it is left untreated.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Pelvic Infections

For the diagnosis of pelvic infection, you may require a laboratory test to detect STIs. Your doctor may perform a pelvic exam to assess your situation. You may also need laparoscopies or ultrasound scans to understand the severity.

The pelvic infection can be treated with a course of antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor. You may feel better after starting the antibiotic course. However, it is crucial to continue taking the medicines for the prescribed time to fully recover.

When the symptoms are very severe, you may need to take antibiotics intravenously (IV). Your doctor may recommend hospitalisation to help you complete the antibiotic course. With significant damage to your reproductive organs, you may require surgery or fertility treatments to treat infertility.

It is also essential that sexual partners are evaluated and treated, especially in cases of STIs, to prevent reinfection and support public health efforts.

Can You Prevent Pelvic Infections?

You can take preventive measures to curb pelvic infections. When the infection is not from an STI, you can avoid douching, which means cleaning your vagina with water and other fluids.

However, severe complications arise from STIs, and you can take the following measures.

If you are sexually active, always practice safe sex by using a barrier method for birth control.
Seek medical advice at the first sign of infection symptoms. Do not wait too long for the infection to spread.
Schedule routine check-ups with your doctor for a thorough inspection of your pelvic region.
Ensure your sexual partner is also tested and treated if necessary to avoid reinfection.

With timely diagnosis and proper care, pelvic infections and PID can often be treated effectively. However, delaying treatment may lead to lasting damage, such as scarring or fertility issues.

Understanding the type and source of infection is key to appropriate treatment. Regular check-ups and safe sex practices can go a long way in protecting reproductive health.

FAQs on Understanding the Impact of Minor Pelvic Infections on Fertility

Can pelvic problems cause infertility?
Yes, pelvic problems or infections can lead to infertility if they spread to your uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries. It can significantly affect your reproductive organs. Getting treatment on time reduces your chances of infertility.
What infection causes pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility?
Bacterial infections caused by STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhoea are the leading causes of pelvic inflammatory disease. It may affect both male and female fertility. They also damage your reproductive organs when left untreated.
Can a pelvic infection be cured?
Yes, pelvic infection can be cured by starting the treatment immediately after diagnosis. However, the damage or scarring of reproductive organs due to infections is irreversible.