Health experts warn untreated STIs driving infertility crisis in Mayuge

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Health experts in Mayuge district have raised alarm over a sharp increase in cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), warning that the trend is contributing significantly to infertility among both men and women.

The experts reported a growing number of patients suffering from infections such as gonorrhoea, syphilis and chlamydia, noting that if left untreated, these infections can cause severe reproductive complications, including pelvic inflammatory disease in women and reduced sperm quality in men.

They made the revelation on May 1, 2026, while speaking to New Vision, noting that over 500 cases of STIs and STDs were registered during a five-day medical camp held at Mayuge Health Centre IV, which serves as the main district hospital. The camp was organised by Save the Young Mothers Uganda (SAYM) in partnership with Broken Earth, a Canadian health-based organisation.

Dr Kelly Monaghan, a general practitioner specialising in sexual and women’s health and family planning, said that during the five-day camp, they observed the situation to be a silent crisis, with many residents unaware of the long-term consequences of untreated STIs.

She explained that women seen during the exercise had experienced painful symptoms for a period of three to five years.

“The biggest challenges that we are seeing here are the huge number of patients with STIs, STDs and pelvic inflammatory disease, which, when they ascend into the pelvis, cause infection. Most of the women we are seeing have had symptoms for many years without appropriate treatment, which has left their uteruses scarred,” she said.

She attributed this to primary or secondary infertility due to scarring of the fallopian tubes and uterus. She noted that a major challenge was treating one-half of couples, mainly the women, who had embraced the medical services.

She explained that they had managed to offer treatment while also prescribing drugs for spouses, which could be purchased from pharmacies.

During the exercise, she urged couples to abstain from sex for a period of two weeks during treatment or use safe methods such as condoms.

“We're so happy to be here and so happy to help because women who we are seeing this week tell us they've had these symptoms for three or five years, my worry is that they're going to get infected again in six months as long as their male partners are not treated because it will be like putting water in a bucket with a hole thus wastage of resources,” she said.

She added that to address this, prescriptions had been given to men through their wives, although some were available for direct consultation.

Dr Michelle Murphy, the chief medical officer of Team Broken Earth, said they had treated over 300 cases of STIs and STDs. She explained that if one partner is treated and the other is not, the infection will continue to be transmitted between them.

However, Dr Michelle called for intensified health and sex education at health facilities and institutions of higher learning, where many young people become sexually active.

“The only way we can reduce or get rid of the STIs and STDs is through health and sex education, which should be intensified at health centres and in higher institutions of learning because the more you speak about them, the more people will open up, because there is no judgment, no shame, but get treated,” she added.

“I do a lot of sexual health in my country, Canada, but what I have seen at the camp has brought me tears. The consequences of congenital syphilis and sexually transmitted infections like Gonorrhoea lead to blindness in unborn babies, which is devastating,” she said, adding that common symptoms were abnormal discharge, foul odour, and abnormal bleeding.

Dr Asuman Basebeza, the district health officer, said the link between STIs and infertility was becoming increasingly evident, adding that the infections can be treated and prevented.

“We are seeing many couples who have failed to conceive, and upon examination, we find a history of untreated or recurrent sexually transmitted infections. This is now a major reproductive health concern in the district,” he explained.

He attributed the rise in infections to multiple factors, including low condom use, multiple sexual partnerships and limited access to accurate sexual health information. He added that persistent stigma discourages individuals from seeking timely diagnosis and treatment.

“Many people fear going to health facilities because they think they will be judged. As a result, they resort to self-medication or traditional remedies, which often do not cure the infections,” he said.

He warned that untreated syphilis among pregnant women poses serious risks, including miscarriage, stillbirth and transmission of infection to the unborn child. He recommended the integration of STI screening into routine health services such as antenatal care and HIV testing programmes to improve detection rates.

He also called for increased community education on preventive strategies, noting that some infections are linked to poor personal hygiene, sanitation and unsafe environments.

During the camp, Dr Michelle handed over an ultrasound scanning machine to the Health Centre IV to support the management and monitoring of mothers before, during and after pregnancy.

“This equipment will be very good for us because we are now going to improve on our service delivery, we call upon expectant mothers to seek more of the scanning services as recommended by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization and desist from using Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs),” he noted.

Betty Angatai, the chief executive officer of SAYM, said the camp, which is an annual event, handled cases related to women’s health, antenatal care, cervical cancer screening, family planning, STIs and STDs, as well as general check-ups.

Beneficiaries speak out

Merida Namukaaya from Buwaya village said she had suffered from STIs for over three years, adding that the condition caused discomfort due to bad odour and itching, forcing her to avoid community engagements.

Monica Bakazi, who also suffers from STIs and received treatment, said she was concerned after her spouse refused to turn up for treatment, although doctors prescribed medication he would purchase locally.

Stephen Atisa Wassiwa from Imaniyiro said he had been experiencing a burning and itching sensation with his wife, and upon hearing about the medical camp, they both sought treatment and are currently undergoing care.