Infections and your fertility.
Some infections run entirely silently – and yet leave traces that can stand in the way of your wish for a child. Above all chlamydia: it is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections and often goes unnoticed for years. The good news: infections are easy to clarify and treat – and even for damage that has already occurred, there are good paths forward.
Silent infections as a possible cause.
When a pregnancy fails to occur, few people think of an infection – yet infections are among the relevant causes of an unfulfilled wish for a child. The reason: ascending infections of the reproductive organs can trigger inflammation of the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. When this inflammation heals, scarring and adhesions can remain – above all in the delicate fallopian tubes.
Often, it is precisely such unnoticed infections in the past (e.g. from chlamydia) that lead to blocked fallopian tubes – entirely without noticeable symptoms. If the fallopian tubes are blocked, egg and sperm cell can no longer find each other. You can read how this can be checked on our page about tubal patency.
Why chlamydia is so insidious.
Chlamydia are bacteria that are transmitted above all through unprotected sexual intercourse. The insidious part: a chlamydia infection causes no or only very mild symptoms in many of those affected – and therefore frequently remains undetected for a long time. This is exactly what gives it time to ascend and trigger inflammation whose consequences only become visible years later, when the wish for a child remains unfulfilled.
Infections can also play a role in men: inflammation of the seminal ducts can impair semen quality and sperm transport. That is why a complete work-up always includes looking at both partners – for example with a semen analysis.
How we clarify infections.
The work-up is uncomplicated and quick – and creates clarity for the further planning.
Detailed first consultation
We discuss your medical history – such as previous pelvic inflammation or known infections – and your fertility journey so far, for example as part of a first fertility consultation.
Swabs
Vaginal swabs can determine whether an infection – for example with chlamydia – is currently present. Up-to-date infection swabs are also a prerequisite at our institute for certain examinations and treatments, such as testing tubal patency.
Blood tests
In addition, blood tests can provide indications of past infections. Our doctors decide individually which tests make sense in your situation.
Discussion of findings & plan
We discuss all results with you in detail. If there is a suspicion that a previous infection has damaged the fallopian tubes, we plan the further work-up – for example a gentle check of tubal patency by ultrasound, directly at our institute.
Treating infections: together with your partner.
If a bacterial infection such as chlamydia is detected, it can be treated with antibiotics. Partner treatment is important here: to prevent mutual re-infection, both partners should always be treated. Our doctors decide individually on the medication and duration of treatment.
However, a treated infection does not reverse scarring that has already occurred – which is why the fertility work-up also includes checking whether the fallopian tubes have remained open.
If the fallopian tubes are already damaged: your paths.
If a previous infection has blocked the fallopian tubes, this is not the end of your wish for a child – it only shows that the natural path is blocked. In IVF, the fallopian tubes are bypassed completely: the eggs are retrieved directly from the ovary, fertilised in the laboratory and the embryo is then transferred into the uterus.
Whether your fallopian tubes are open can be determined with a short, gentle ultrasound examination (HyCoSy) directly at our institute – you will find all the details on our page about tubal patency.
Infections are only one of many possible causes
An unfulfilled wish for a child often has several contributing factors. You will find an overview of the most common reasons – from tubal patency and the hormone status to male infertility – on our causes page.
Infections and fertility: your questions.
Can chlamydia make you infertile?
An untreated chlamydia infection can ascend and trigger inflammation of the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. As a consequence, the fallopian tubes can become blocked – one of the known causes of an unfulfilled wish for a child. Detected in time, a chlamydia infection can be treated well with antibiotics.
How do I recognise a chlamydia infection?
Frequently not at all: chlamydia infections run without symptoms, or with only very mild ones, in many of those affected – and therefore often remain unnoticed for a long time. That is exactly what makes them so insidious. Only a test, such as a swab, provides clarity.
How are infections tested for during a fertility work-up?
Primarily with swabs, which can detect a current infection. In addition, blood tests can provide indications of infections in the past. Our doctors decide individually which tests make sense as part of your work-up.
How is chlamydia treated?
With antibiotics – our doctors decide individually on the medication and duration. It is important that your partner is treated as well, so that mutual re-infection does not occur.
Does my partner need to be treated too?
Yes. If only one person is treated, mutual re-infection can occur again and again during unprotected intercourse – the infection would go around in circles. That is why partner treatment is a firm part of the therapy.
I had a chlamydia infection in the past – what does that mean for my fertility?
A previous infection does not automatically mean that your fertility is impaired – but it is a good reason to have your tubal patency checked. At our institute, this is done with a short, gentle ultrasound examination (HyCoSy), entirely without X-rays.
What happens if my fallopian tubes have been damaged by an infection?
Then the natural path is blocked – but not the path to your longed-for child. In IVF, the fallopian tubes are bypassed completely: the eggs are retrieved directly, fertilised in the laboratory and the embryo is transferred into the uterus. We discuss together which path suits you, based on your findings.
Do infections also play a role in men?
Yes. Inflammation of the seminal ducts can impair semen quality and sperm transport. That is why we always look at both partners during the work-up – for the man, this includes above all the semen analysis.
We fulfil your wish for a child!
Whether a silent infection is behind your unfulfilled wish for a child is easy to clarify – we accompany you along the way.
Or call us: +43 1 877 77 75