STIs Pose Significant Threat to Fertility, Global Women’s Health
In the researchers’ review of data since 1990, they explored the global burden of infertility and the extent in which it is caused by either STIs or maternal sepsis.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) are significant threats to infertility and the overall health of women within typical reproductive age ranges, according to a study published in Scientific Reports.1
“Infertility, especially infection-induced infertility, has become a critical issue in public health, significantly affecting family structure, marital stability, and social dynamics,” wrote authors of the study. “In recent years, there has been an increase in the prevalence of infertility, with cases increasingly occurring at younger ages.”
According to WHO, approximately 1 in 6 patients around the world experience infertility, which is equivalent to 17.5% of the global adult population.2 These rates, however, are unsurprisingly worse among women impacted by STIs. Researchers provided the example of how chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause increased risk of tubal factor infertility (TFI) and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)—both major determinants of female infertility.
Approximately 1 in 6 patients around the world experience infertility, which is equivalent to 17.5% of the global adult population. | image credit: ParamePrizma / stock.adobe.com
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Due to the increased risk of infectious diseases among women, because of the structural characteristics of their urogenital anatomy, researchers wanted to better understand how infections, most notably STIs, globally impact the maternal outcomes of women over a 30-year period.
“Infection-induced infertility remains an under-recognized issue that warrants further research, with no comprehensive analysis available on its global burden,” they continued.1 “The 2021 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) offers a comprehensive collection of resources, including 371 injuries and diseases from 811 subnational, as well as regions 204 countries and territories. This research aimed to report the global impact and spatiotemporal patterns of infertility attributable to infections, analyzing data by age, socio-demographic index (SDI) region, and country to identify high-risk populations and inform strategies to protect female fertility.”
Exploring data from 164 countries between the years 1990 and 2021, the GBD captured the age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) and age-standardized years living with disease (ASYR) among the study participants.
After data collection, researchers identified a jump in infertility rates attributed to infections, increasing by nearly 8 million cases over the 31-year period. Indeed, infertility cases were just under 11.3 million in 1990 but jumped to 19.15 million by 2021. Furthermore, ASPR increased from 839.52 to 982.37 per 100,000, while years living with disease rose from 62.81 thousand to 106.69 thousand throughout the study period.
“Infertility has become a global health issue, impacting not only reproductive function but also overall health. Based on the latest GBD 2021 data, our research presents a detailed analysis of the burden of infection-related infertility, examining time trends at national, regional and global levels,” wrote the authors. “From 1990 to 2021, global ASPR and ASYR for infection-related infertility increased. Significant geographic differences emerged, with low SDI regions bearing the highest burden but showing improvements over time.”
Compared with low SDI regions, those in middle-to-high-income locations initially had the lowest disease burden. However, as low-SDI regions saw improvements over time, middle-to-high regions had significant increases in disease burden.
“Overall, the burden of infection-related infertility, particularly for MSMI, correlated negatively with SDI,” they said.1
Researchers concluded that the main cause of global infertility attributed to infections was from various STIs as well as chlamydia. Serving as the most recent clinical evidence of infertility spurred on by STIs, researchers hope this study can inform policymakers to consider bolstering STI prevention and treatment efforts.
“This study offers detailed insights into the geographic distribution, age patterns, and temporal trends of infection-related infertility, highlighting the urgent need for targeted global and regional strategies to address infection-related infertility, especially in low-SDI regions. The findings provide essential scientific evidence for policymakers to prioritize investment in STIs prevention, screening, and treatment,” concluded authors of the study.1
READ MORE: Women's Health
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