Untreated vaginal infection can cause infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain. Experts urge early detection and proper treatment to protect reproductive health

Untreated Vaginal Infection poses serious risks to women’s reproductive health, including infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain, reproductive health experts have warned.

Also read: Nigeria Health System Fragility Costs Economy $1.2 Billion Yearly

Many women dismiss early symptoms such as unusual discharge, itching, or foul odor as minor, but gynecologists caution that ignoring these signs can allow infections to spread from the vagina to the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes, triggering inflammatory conditions that impair fertility.

Professor Chris Aimakhu, Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Ibadan, explained that vaginal infections can be caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses, with bacterial sexually transmitted infections posing the greatest long-term risks.

]“The most common fungal infections like Candida cause discomfort, but bacterial infections like chlamydia and gonorrhoea can block fallopian tubes, destroy reproductive organs, and lead to infertility,” he said.

Aimakhu noted that untreated infections can escalate into pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which may result in abscess formation, chronic pain, miscarriage, or ectopic pregnancy.

“Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes are one of the most common ways infections lead to infertility,” he added.

Consultant gynecologist Dr. Ayodele Ademola corroborated this view, highlighting that chlamydia and gonorrhoea are the infections most likely to impact fertility.

He stressed that fungal infections typically cause discomfort but rarely affect fertility or increase cancer risk. “The infections that cause infertility are usually silent, often undetected in routine laboratory tests,” Ademola said.

Experts urge women to seek prompt professional treatment for any genital discomfort instead of self-medicating.

Early detection and management can prevent irreversible damage to the reproductive system, whereas neglect can result in blocked reproductive passages, implantation problems, and permanent fertility issues.

Also read: Mental Health Public Policy Gains Emotional Boost at Lagos Assembly Lecture

Preventive measures, including good hygiene, safe sexual practices, and regular gynecological check-ups, are key to protecting women from the harmful consequences of untreated vaginal infections.