Women who’ve had sex with 10 men are at ‘THREE times greater risk of being infertile’
Pelvic inflammatory disease is three times more prevalent in women who had had more than 10 sexual partners compared to women who have had only one
WOMEN who have slept with more than ten men are three times more likely to be infertile due, experts have warned.
That's because they're at greater risk of suffering pelvic inflammatory disease - an often symptom-less infection of the reproductive tract that affects millions.
A new study found the disease, which can cause infertility and lasting abdominal pain, was three times more prevalent in women who had had more than 10 sexual partners compared to women who have had only one.
That's because the disease is often the result of untreated bacterial infections, such as chlamydia and gonnorrhoea.
It can also lead to ectopic pregnancy.
The research, by the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), also found women who begun having sex before they were 12 years old were eight times more likely to develop the disease.
Chlamydia and gonorrhoea are the most commonly reported STIs in the United States, with about 1.5 million chlamydia and approximately 400,000 gonorrhoea infections reported in 2015.
These diseases may not always present with infections, but when they do they can include abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation while weeing.
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Women who have had more sexual partners and are therefore more at risk of STDs are more likely to develop pelvic inflammatory disease.
The researchers concluded that it was important to adhere to guidelines for the prevention and detection of STIs including practising safe sex and getting regular checks with a doctor.
There are no tests to determine if a woman has pelvic inflammatory disease, according to the CDC.
A diagnosis is usually based on a combination of medical history, a physical exam, and other test results.
Symptoms can include pain in the lower abdomen, fever, unusual discharge, pain or bleed while having sex, pain urinating and bleeding between periods.
If it is diagnosed early it can be treated, however the damage already caused to the reproductive tract by the disease cannot be reversed.
Women are recommended to tell their recent sexual partners if they are diagnosed with the disease so they too can get tested for STIs.
WHAT IS PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE?
Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of a woman’s reproductive organs.
It is usually a complication caused by STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhoea.
Cause:
It is often caused by an STD going untreated.
The risks of developing the disease increase if you have had more than one sexual partner, have sex with someone who has other sexual partners, have had it before and are sexually active and under the age of 25.
Symptoms:
- pain in the lower abdomen
- fever
- unusual discharge or bad odour from your vagina
- pain and/or bleeding when having sex
- burning sensation while weeing
- bleeding between periods
Treatment:
Treatment is often a round of antibiotics. However, damage to the reproductive organs caused by the disease cannot be undone.
You can take preventative measures to limit your chances of getting the disease, such as limiting your sexual partners, getting regular STD checks and using a condom.
Source: CDC