Infections, Inflammation & Immunity

STD impact on reproductive health

STD impact on reproductive health

How STIs affect the reproductive tract The reproductive tract is vulnerable because many STIs begin at mucosal surfaces, such as the cervix, urethra, rectum, or vagina, and then trigger local inflammation. If the infection is not recognized, organisms can sometimes ascend into the upper genital tract. In women, that means the uterus, fallopian tubes, and […]

Untreated infections and infertility risk

Untreated infections and infertility risk

How infections can affect fertility Fertility depends on a finely coordinated pathway: ovulation, egg pickup by the fallopian tube, fertilization, embryo transport, and implantation. An untreated infection can interfere with any of these steps, but the most established pathway is structural injury to the upper reproductive tract. When bacteria spread upward from the cervix, they […]

Infections affecting fertility

Infections affecting fertility

How infections can interfere with fertility Fertility depends on a coordinated sequence of events: ovulation, sperm production and transport, fertilization, and implantation in a healthy uterine environment. Infection can disturb any step in that chain. In women, the most important mechanism is usually ascending infection from the lower genital tract to the uterus and fallopian […]

Autoimmune diseases and fertility

Autoimmune diseases and fertility

Why the immune system matters in reproduction Reproduction is not immunologically passive. Ovulation involves controlled inflammation, sperm must survive within the reproductive tract, the embryo must implant into the endometrium, and the maternal immune system must tolerate a genetically distinct pregnancy while still protecting against infection. Autoimmune disease can disturb this balance when immune responses […]

Pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility

Pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility

Understanding pelvic inflammatory disease Pelvic inflammatory disease is usually caused by microorganisms ascending from the cervix or vagina into the upper genital tract. It most often affects sexually active people of reproductive age. The organisms classically associated with PID include Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, but PID is frequently polymicrobial, meaning vaginal and anaerobic bacteria […]