STIs and infertility: get the facts

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Millions of people in the U.S. contract sexually transmitted infections (STIs) each year. In fact, the CDC reports that in 2014, a staggering 2.86 million new cases of chlamydia and 820,000 cases of gonorrhea were reported.

 

Many of these cases occurred in teenagers or young adults. In addition, thousands of people have chlamydia or gonorrhea and don’t know it. If these diseases go untreated, a woman can get pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This is an infection in a woman’s reproductive organs that can become serious. Not only can it cause pain, fever, bleeding, and other issues, but women with PID may not be able to get pregnant.

 

Fortunately, PID can be treated with antibiotics if caught early. But waiting too long to get treatment can lead to permanent damage.

 

All sexually active men and women should talk to their doctors about their risk for STIs, and get tested and treated for these infections as needed.

 

Early treatment for STIs could save your fertility and your health.

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