Can a yeast or bacteria infection really make a woman sterile?

Question

I read that in one of the recent answers. I have had one for a while and I cannot get into the doctor until March 22nd. I tried others today but most were closed because of Presidents Day. I am really freaking out because I want children in the future. Should I try to get an opening at another doctor tommorrow? Or just wait for my regular doc?

I;m sorry I have been taking OTC medication for this problem. I heard that if it was bacteria the OTC meds wont help

Answer 1

Not unless it's an extremely nasty one. I suspect the other answerer was talking about Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). This is a catch-all term for when serious infections occur in the reproductive organs, which can cause scarring and thus infertility. The infections normally associated with this are gonorrhea and chlamydia, but it can be caused by lots of things.

The worst thing that a yeast infection will do to you if you leave it untreated is itch like a mother. Bacterial vaginosis can be a more serious customer, since it actually can lead to PID (although most of the organisms which cause BV are a lot less hazardous... bacterial vaginosis is a very common ailment).

Personally I'd try to get in to another doc, not because of fear of PID but because waiting a month to get treatment for a common infection is just ridiculous. And itchy. However I suspect you'll probably be okay if you can't make it in.

Answer 2

Yes, if not taken care of or treated, it can cause sterilization in some cases. If you have a yeast infection, go to a local drug store and get the over the counter medication.

Answer 3

I would try to get in somewhere else sooner. If something is wrong, then it is best to tend to it right away. It is true that you can become sterile froma bacterial infedction. It can scar your ovaries. This is more likely to happen if you go a very long time without tending to the issue though.