[Medical Q&A] What are the common pathogens that cause infertility?

Planner: Chinese Medical Association

Reviewer: Xu Liqing, deputy chief physician, Guangdong Provincial Women and Children's Health Hospital

Reproductive tract inflammation is one of the common causes of infertility, with a high prevalence, including various types of vaginitis, cervicitis, endometritis, salpingitis, oophoritis and pelvic peritonitis, which are prone to recurrence. These inflammations may be caused by a variety of pathogens. The following are some common pathogens.

1. Gonorrhea: Transmitted through sexual intercourse, infection may cause yellow purulent discharge, accompanied by pelvic pain and fever.

2. Chlamydia: Also transmitted through sexual intercourse, there may be no obvious symptoms when infected, but sometimes symptoms similar to gonococcal infection may appear.

3. Mycoplasma: Mycoplasma is an opportunistic pathogen with a high detection rate in healthy people. Therefore, most people with positive mycoplasma test have no obvious symptoms. It may also manifest as cervicitis, urethritis, endometritis and salpingitis. There are many types of mycoplasma, and the one that is closely related to infertility is ureaplasma, which is often tested in clinical practice.

4. Microorganisms in the vagina: including aerobic bacteria and anaerobic bacteria. The vaginitis caused by them may reduce the motility of sperm in the vagina and lead to temporary infertility.

After regular treatment, most inflammations can be controlled and infertility is expected to improve. However, gonorrhea, chlamydia and mycoplasma infections require special attention, as they can cause salpingitis. When chronic salpingitis develops, the risk of infertility increases.