title: Sexually transmitted diseases and infertility.
abstract: Female infertility, including tubal factor infertility, is a major public health concern worldwide. Most cases of tubal factor infertility are attributable to untreated sexually transmitted diseases that ascend along the reproductive tract and are capable of causing tubal inflammation, damage, and scarring. Evidence has consistently demonstrated the effects of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae as pathogenic bacteria involved in reproductive tract morbidities including tubal factor infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease. There is limited evidence in the medical literature that other sexually transmitted organisms, including Mycoplasma genitalium, Trichomonas vaginalis, and other microorganisms within the vaginal microbiome, may be important factors involved in the pathology of infertility. Further investigation into the vaginal microbiome and other potential pathogens is necessary to identify preventable causes of tubal factor infertility. Improved clinical screening and prevention of ascending infection may provide a solution to the persistent burden of infertility.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, St Louis, MO.
authors.forename: Danielle G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Tsevat
authors.affiliation: Division of Gynecologic Specialties, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: Harold C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Wiesenfeld
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine, St Louis, MO.
authors.forename: Caitlin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Parks
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN. Electronic address: jpeipert@iu.edu.
authors.forename: Jeffrey F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Peipert
mesh_terms: D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D045704:Mycoplasma genitalium; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae; D000292:Pelvic Inflammatory Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014247:Trichomonas Vaginitis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis
keywords: STD; STI; chlamydia; gonorrhea; infertility