A cross-sectional questionnaire-based landscaping of female infertility reveals genital Infections as a major contributor to reproductive tract anomalies, menstrual disorders, and infertility

Abstract

Purpose Female infertility is a global health concern. The association of genital infections with female infertility is neglected due to their chronic but asymptomatic nature. Lack of routine diagnosis and delay in treatment further causes intractable pathological sequalae and consequential infertility. This study aims to identify the most significant prognostic symptoms of genital infection(s) that correlate strongly with reproductive tract anomalies, menstrual disorders, and infertility. Methods We designed a detailed questionnaire and conducted a cross-sectional study with 100 female subjects, categorized into infertile (n1 = 62) and healthy groups (n2 = 38). The data collected was documented and statistically analysed. Results This study highlights an early onset of infertility (21–30 years). Almost 27% of the infertile female subjects are symptomatic for genital infections and ~ 42% exhibit menstrual irregularities. Polycystic ovarian syndrome/disease (PCOS/PCOD, ~ 30%), are observed to be the most predominant disorders followed by endometrial disorders (~ 10%) and tubal damage (~ 8%) in infertile subjects. A multivariate correlation analysis revealed a highly significant (p ≤ 0.05) and strong association (0.15 < Φ ≤ 1.0) between menstrual disorders, endometrial disorders, uterine/tubal blockage, and hormonal disruption with infection-associated symptoms, such as vaginitis, cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disorder (PID), dyspareunia, tuberculosis (TB), urinary tract infection (UTI). Conclusions Our study reveals genital infections to be a significant contributor to female infertility. The questionnaire designed here offers a useful tool for self or clinical assessment and may help in timely prognosis/diagnosis of genital infections which may contribute to improved management of reproductive health and fertility.