To be terrified that I have rendered myself infertile?

[Roundofapplauses]

I have just been tested and informed that I have contracted chlamydia, and herpes.
Please no judgement, I have been with my partner for years. I was told that both chlamydia and herpes can be symptomless, so I have no idea for how long I have had it. It would have to be longer than 3 years now, at this point.

We have been ttc for around 2 years, as in, not using any contraception and having very regular sex, and nothing has happened.

Have I made myself permanently infertile?

It doesnt really make much difference which strain you have HSV-1 typically causes cold sores and HSV-2 typically causes genital herpes, either virus can cause sores in either location. someone with HSV-1 from a cold sore could potentially transmit it to a partner's genitals during oral sex, causing genital herpes in the partner...

I grew up in the 80s, as did my DH. Not sure why that means we’d automatically query why she trusted her partner. I’m really bloody jaded as well 😂. There’s just no need for that kind of incredulous ‘you sweet summer child’-type snark though.

Because in the real world I think 99% of people who got this kind of diagnosis years into their relationship would at least consider, however briefly, that the infection just might possibly have come from the person they’ve been having sex with.

It seems to have triggered people though, so I’m sorry for that and I hope OP has no lasting harm or damage ❤️

OP, only time will tell and no one can promise you which future you will have.

Follow medical advice and hope for the best. Worry solves nothing. x

Just came on to say I have HPV1 (herpes) and I have 2 children. It only flares up now and again when stressed or run down (it's like cold sores, same virus different place) but I remember how horrified I was when I found out.
Have you any symptoms? It can lay dormant, so doesn't necessarily mean infidelity - however I found the first time I had symptoms were the worst and over the years it's got way less frequent and nowhere near as bad. It will only show up on a test during a flare up though.

Sorry I have no advice re Chlamydia - I'd just make sure you get referred on to fertility services by your GP / a specialist for any treatment.

So sorry this has happened to you - but I promise it's nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about and hopefully you'll go on to have a baby. It can take time even without any other complications so please don't panic - but do get checked out with your GP xxx

So true

No, 1 in 3 people do not have genital herpes. You’re getting mixed up with the herpes that causes cold sores.

Yes it does, the diagnosis is based on symptoms: discharge, lower abdominal pain and pain during sex plus a bimanual examination (and taking a comprehensive history)

You didn’t know. Why are you beating yourself up about this? Not your fault at all.

No need to answer but why did you get tested? Did you get symptoms that prompted the tests?
if so, and it’s recent and I would definitely be suspicious of your boyfriend. Most people would be:

@Roundofapplauses it can take up to a year to conceive naturally so don't worry if you haven't yet got pregnant, the NHS won't even consider investigating until you have tried for at least that long.

They've already tried for 2 years...

My friend had PID and she was in agony. But she did manage to have a baby. She has had numerous miscarriages though. Only ever had one baby. Don’t know if they’re related

what were the results of his STI screening?

apologies @Foreverm0re I didn't mean to respond to you directly don't know what happened there.

No it doesn’t

From the NHS website. I wish I was wrong. My tubes are blocked from contracting chlamydia from a cheating ex abusive partner. I have never had symptoms of PID. I only found out after a hycosy and the chlamydia and been treated very soon after I got it.

Yes it does!!!
Seriously, without referring to any medical texts, a quick internet search shows that you are wrong and I am right. (I can provide medical texts references if you need them)

Then why are my tubes blocked with no symptoms of PID??

And why does it state that on the nhs website if it’s so wrong?

Even the NHS site states symptoms occur. The threshold for diagnosing pud with 'mild' symptoms is the age of the patient, treatment tends to be given to young people with mild symptoms. Otherwise unless the bimanual gives a definite diagnosis treatment is unlikely without a positive sti result.

I am sorry for what happened to you, it sounds like Chlamydia itself was the cause rather than pid but nonetheless the consequences to you are awful.

Can chlamydia cause blocked tubes?
I really wish it wasn’t cause the of my blocked tubes. I had endo as well but the consultant said the blockage was most likely caused by a previous infection. Crazy as it sounds, I could cope better mentally if my infertility hadn’t been caused by my abusive ex. I could better accept my circumstances if it was a medical cause :-(

It really doesn't - even the NHS say as much.

PID is often symptomless, or has very, very mild symptoms.

Full disclosure, I work in sexual health, we would not diagnose PID without a certain set of criteria being met: discharge, lower abdominal pain, deep dyspareunia, and a bimanual examination to identify cervical excitation/left/right adnexal tenderness. Not all need to be present but the bimanual is one of the main tools. We certainly screen for infections which are then treated based on a positive result if the bimanual is negative.
Maybe other services diagnose without these criteria but sexual health services don't.

@Thegreatescape12345
“It will only show up on a test during a flare up though.”

Yes, I was also once told by a medic that you can only be tested for genital herpes whilst showing active symptoms.

Sorry, yes, Chlamydia can block tubes, certainly not always, but it is the most serious consequence. It's certainly not a definite outcome for every case of Chlamydia, but it can happen. I am sorry for what happened to you. Your blocked tubes may have been caused by something else (something gynaecological) but it may not be possible to say for sure. I hope you can get support for what you have been through, can you speak to your consultant again to discuss how it's affecting you?