Maternal health experts have sounded the alarm over the long-term dangers that untreated or inadequately managed sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) pose to women, warning that females face far more serious reproductive health consequences than their male counterparts. These concerns revolve primarily around infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and increased susceptibility to other infections, including HIV.
In interviews with Frontpage Healthwise, several gynaecologists highlighted why women are more vulnerable to these infections, particularly due to anatomical and biological factors that often allow STDs to linger undetected in the female body.
Women Bear the Heavier Burden of STDs
Dr. Joseph Akinde, a former chairman of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (Lagos Chapter) and the current Medical Director of Living Spring Hospital, Ejigbo, emphasized that most STDs cause more harm to women than to men. He pointed out that infections like gonorrhea often show clear symptoms in men, prompting them to seek timely treatment. However, the same infections may remain silent in women, damaging internal organs over time without any visible warning signs.
“Many women don’t even realize they have an infection until complications arise, such as difficulties in getting pregnant,” Akinde stated. “A man with gonorrhea will experience painful symptoms within days. But a woman may carry the infection silently for weeks or even months while it damages her reproductive system.”
He explained that the female reproductive tract has a much larger surface area than the male’s, which increases the risk of contracting infections during unprotected sex. Furthermore, the vaginal mucosa is thin and delicate, making it easier for infectious agents to penetrate and thrive.
STDs and Infertility: A Growing Crisis
One of the most devastating consequences of untreated STDs in women is infertility. According to Dr. Akinde, infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea can result in tubal blockages, making natural conception impossible.
“Chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and long-term infertility are some of the grim outcomes when these infections are left untreated,” he warned. “Women often only seek medical attention when they start trying to conceive and realize they’re unable to do so.”
He added that STDs can also have serious psychological and social implications, including marital stress, stigma, and low self-esteem.
Symptoms Often Go Unnoticed
Dr. Akinde noted that while most STDs in men produce noticeable symptoms such as painful urination or discharge, many women remain asymptomatic for long periods. When symptoms do occur, they might include mild abdominal pain, unusual vaginal discharge, or discomfort during intercourse — signs that are frequently overlooked or misattributed to other less serious conditions.
“The lack of early symptoms in women allows the infections to silently progress, often reaching advanced stages before diagnosis,” he explained. “This is why regular testing is essential, especially for sexually active women.”
Prevention Is Better Than Cure
To curb the rising tide of STD-related complications among women, Dr. Akinde urged women to adopt safe sexual practices, such as maintaining a stable, monogamous relationship and using protection during intercourse. He also encouraged regular medical checkups, particularly for women of reproductive age.
“Prevention is always better than cure,” he stressed. “Being in a committed relationship and practicing safe sex can significantly reduce the risk of contracting an STD.”
Pregnant Women at Greater Risk
Dr. Ochuwa Babah, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Lagos and consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, echoed Dr. Akinde’s warnings, particularly highlighting the heightened risks STDs pose during pregnancy.
She noted that gonorrhea and other infections can lead to serious complications in pregnant women, including preterm birth, infant death, and neonatal infections like conjunctivitis, pneumonia, or sepsis.
“Gonorrhea in pregnancy is not a myth. It’s a real issue that requires urgent treatment. Unfortunately, many women are unaware of this,” Dr. Babah said.
She advised that if a woman is diagnosed with gonorrhea or any other STD during pregnancy, her partner must also be treated to avoid reinfection. “Treating only one partner is ineffective. It’s a cycle that will continue unless both are treated simultaneously,” she explained.
Global Trends Highlight the Urgency
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than one million sexually transmitted infections are acquired globally every day, the majority of which are asymptomatic. The WHO reports approximately 374 million new infections each year with one of four curable STIs: gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and trichomoniasis.
“These infections have a profound impact on sexual and reproductive health,” the WHO warned. “They contribute to infertility, complications in pregnancy, increased HIV risk, and social stigma.”
Scientific Consensus on Female Vulnerability
A 2022 article published in the journal Nature titled “Sexually transmitted infections and female reproductive health” further supported the observations made by the Nigerian gynaecologists. The authors emphasized that women are disproportionately affected by STIs due to biological and anatomical factors.
“The female reproductive tract provides a larger mucosal surface, and the vaginal lining is thinner and more susceptible to microscopic injuries, allowing pathogens easier access,” the study noted. “Moreover, male-to-female transmission is more efficient than female-to-male, placing women at higher risk.”
Call for Greater Awareness and Testing
Both Dr. Akinde and Dr. Babah agreed that raising awareness and encouraging routine testing are critical to reducing the burden of STDs among Nigerian women. They called for more community-based education campaigns and improved access to reproductive health services.
“Many of these conditions are preventable or easily treatable if caught early,” said Dr. Babah. “We need to break the silence, reduce the stigma, and encourage both men and women to take responsibility for their sexual health.”
Conclusion
Sexually transmitted diseases remain a silent but severe threat to the reproductive health of women across Nigeria and globally. As experts highlight the often asymptomatic nature of these infections in women, it becomes crucial for health authorities, communities, and individuals to prioritize awareness, testing, and prevention. The consequences of neglect are too profound — from infertility and chronic illness to adverse pregnancy outcomes — making this an urgent public health issue that cannot be ignored.
