stis, contraception and fertility treatments

What causes chlamydia and how is it spread?

Caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Spread through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex; sharing infected sex toys; and mother-to-child transmission during childbirth.

Why is chlamydia often called a "silent" STI?

Most infected people have no symptoms and can unknowingly pass the infection to others.

What are the symptoms of chlamydia in females?

Unusual vaginal discharge, burning or stinging when urinating, pain during sex, and bleeding between periods.

What are the symptoms of chlamydia in males?

Discharge from the penis, burning or stinging when urinating, and pain or swelling of the testicles.

What are the long-term effects of untreated chlamydia?

In women: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (permanent scarring and inflammation of lower genital tract) infertility, ectopic pregnancy and pregnancy complications. In men: epididymitis and prostatitis. Can also cause chronic pain and permanent reproductive damage.

How is chlamydia treated?

With prescription antibiotics such as doxycycline or azithromycin. Sexual activity should be avoided during treatment and partners should also be treated.

What is HIV?

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that attacks CD4 T cells, weakening the immune system and potentially leading to AIDS.

How does HIV damage the immune system?

HIV enters CD4 T cells, uses them to reproduce, destroys them, and gradually reduces the body's ability to fight infection.

Which body fluids can transmit HIV?

Blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, vaginal fluids, rectal fluids and breast milk.

How is HIV spread?

Through unprotected sexual intercourse, sharing needles, mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding, and rarely through blood transfusions.

What are the symptoms of acute HIV infection?

Fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, skin rash, fatigue, muscle aches, joint pain and night sweats.

What happens during chronic HIV infection?

The virus remains active at low levels, most people have few or no symptoms, and this stage may last 7–10+ years without treatment.

What are the symptoms of AIDS?

Rapid weight loss, recurring fevers, extreme fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, persistent diarrhoea, oral thrush and neurological problems.

What are the long-term effects of HIV?

Increased risk of TB, AIDS-defining cancers, cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, reduced bone density and HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND).

How is HIV treated?

With Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), taken daily or as long-acting injections. ART can reduce HIV to undetectable levels but does not cure the disease.

How do condoms work?

They create a physical barrier that prevents semen, pre-ejaculate and bodily fluids from entering the reproductive tract, stopping sperm reaching the egg.

How effective are condoms?

98% effective with perfect use and about 82% effective with typical use.

What are the advantages of condoms?

Protect against STIs and HIV, contain no hormones, are reversible, accessible, and safe during breastfeeding.

What are the disadvantages of condoms?

Can break or slip off, may cause allergic reactions, and can reduce sensitivity during intercourse.

How does a diaphragm work?

A flexible cup placed in the vagina covers the cervix and blocks sperm from entering the uterus. It is used with spermicide.

How effective is a diaphragm?

Approximately 82–86% effective with typical use.

What are the advantages of a diaphragm?

No hormones, reusable for up to two years, user-controlled and reversible.

What are the disadvantages of a diaphragm?

Less effective than hormonal methods, requires spermicide, no STI protection, and can be difficult to insert correctly.

How does the combined oral contraceptive pill work?

Contains synthetic oestrogen and progestogen that prevent ovulation, thicken cervical mucus and thin the endometrium.

How effective is the combined oral contraceptive pill?

Over 99% effective with perfect use and around 91–93% effective with typical use.

What are the advantages of the pill?

Highly effective, regulates periods, reduces period pain, improves acne, helps manage PCOS and endometriosis, and lowers some cancer risks.

What are the disadvantages of the pill?

Must be taken daily, can cause nausea, headaches and mood changes, slightly increases blood clot risk, and does not protect against STIs.

What is Implanon?

A small rod inserted under the skin of the upper arm that releases etonogestrel to prevent ovulation and thicken cervical mucus. Effective for up to 3 years.

What is Mirena?

A T-shaped hormonal IUD that releases levonorgestrel into the uterus, thickening cervical mucus and thinning the endometrium. Effective for 5–8 years.

How effective are Implanon and Mirena?

Both are more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.

What are the advantages of Implanon?

Long-lasting (up to 3 years), low maintenance, highly effective and easily removed.

What are the disadvantages of Implanon?

Irregular bleeding, headaches, acne, mood changes, weight gain, small insertion scar and no STI protection.

What are the advantages of Mirena?

Lasts 5–8 years, highly effective, reduces heavy bleeding and provides localised hormone release.

What are the disadvantages of Mirena?

Requires insertion into the uterus, may cause spotting after insertion and does not protect against STIs.

What is infertility?

The inability to achieve pregnancy after a prolonged period of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.

What causes male infertility?

Varicoceles, low sperm count, poor sperm motility, abnormal sperm shape, infections, ejaculation disorders, blockages, chromosomal abnormalities, smoking, alcohol, drug use and overheating of the testicles.

What is a varicocele?

Enlarged veins in the scrotum that increase testicular temperature and can reduce sperm production and quality.

What is oligospermia?

A low sperm count, defined as fewer than 15 million sperm per millilitre of semen.

What causes female infertility?

Ovulation disorders, PCOS, POI, fallopian tube blockage, endometriosis, increasing age, smoking, excessive alcohol intake, extreme weight changes and environmental toxins.

How does PCOS cause infertility?

Hormonal imbalances can prevent or disrupt ovulation, making fertilisation less likely.

What is Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT)?

Unfertilised eggs and sperm are mixed together and placed into a fallopian tube, where fertilisation occurs naturally in the body.

What is the success rate of GIFT?

Approximately 24–29.5% per cycle.

What are the main steps of IVF?

Ovarian stimulation with hormones, egg retrieval, fertilisation in a laboratory, embryo development into a blastocyst, and embryo transfer into the uterus.

What is ICSI?

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is a procedure where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg to assist fertilisation.

What is a blastocyst?

An early-stage embryo formed around 3–5 days after fertilisation and commonly used for embryo transfer.

What factors affect IVF success?

Maternal age, egg quality, sperm quality, reproductive health and the underlying cause of infertility.

What are the IVF success rates by age?

Overall success rate is around 30.4% per cycle. Women under 35 have a 45–51% chance of live birth, women aged 35–42 have a 24–26% chance, and rates are lower for women aged 44+.