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INFECTIONS AND INFLAMMATION


Chlamydia is currently the most common sexually transmitted genital infection. In Austria about five per cent of sexually active women and men under the age of 25 are infected. People who have a changing number of sexual partners are particularly at risk of becoming infected. Chlamydia (chlamydia trachomatis) are bacteria that can cause infections in the mucous membranes. The infection is transmitted via unprotected vaginal or oral sex. There is no risk of infection from kisses, sharing towels, toilet seats or visits to the swimming pool. The bacteria settle on the cervix, in the urethra, in the rectum and anus. They can also expand into the throat and eye area. In the cervix, chlamydia can remain unnoticed for a few months, and in the fallopian tubes for many years. This can cause the fallopian tubes to stick together, preventing the woman from getting pregnant naturally.

Women infected with chlamydia are often symptom free. As a result, they unwittingly pass it onto others. The good news: a chlamydia infection can be easily treated with antibiotics, both partners should be treated orally with 1g azithromycin once or 200mg doxycycline daily for seven days. The cure rate is over 95 per cent.

Chronic endometritis (inflammation of the uterus lining): current studies show that around 10 to 20 per cent of patients with repeated implantation failure after IVF embryo transfer and in unexplained repeated miscarriage have chronic inflammation of the uterine lining. Chronic endometritis is inflammation that is usually caused by bacteria. However, due to the mild or non-existent symptoms and demanding histopathological analysis, it is rarely diagnosed. Chronic endometritis can be detected indirectly via plasma cells. Plasma cells arise from B lymphocytes and are an important part of our immune system. These cells are activated after contact with a pathogen, produce antibodies and thus help fight the infection.

The detection of plasma cells takes place via a specific staining. In the Kinderwunsch Institut Dr Loimer, plasma cells are tested if chronic inflammation of the uterine lining is suspected. If we discover chronic inflammation, we treat patients with antibiotics (attention: in summer, direct sunlight can cause severe reddening of the skin). After the treatment we have observed many spontaneous pregnancies.

It has long been known that chronic inflammation of the gums has a negative effect on the general health of people. In the field of gynaecology and reproductive medicine, study results indicate, among other things, connections between periodontitis and poor results in IVF as well as an increased risk of premature births or new-borns with below-average birth weights. Some studies show that women with gum disease are almost eight times more likely to have a premature delivery or an underweight new-born baby than women with healthy gums. Regular oral hygiene is therefore of essential importance for every couple who want to have children.

Vaginal infections: Pathogens such as Escherichia coli can be the cause for pregnancy not occurring. Therefore, the Kinderwunsch Institut Dr Loimer routinely arranges for a bacterial swab at the initial examination. Clindamycin or metronidazole are recommended for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis. The co-treatment of the male partner has no effect on the recurrence rate of bacterial vaginosis.