HEALTH ARTICLE: Schistosomiasis, an unusual cause of infertility, painful sex

People become infected with schistosomiasis when its larval forms released by freshwater snails– penetrate the skin during contact with infested water. Experts say that individuals affected by the disease stand a chance of developing severe anaemia and HIV, aside infertility and painful sex, reports Sade Oguntola.
Ill-health due to reproductive health problems and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is mostly both preventable and remediable in its nature.

Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia, is a chronic disease caused by parasitic worms that live in certain types of freshwater snails. People who come into contact with water that contains these snails are at risk of infection when the larval forms of the parasites (schistosome), which are released by freshwater snails, penetrate their skin of when in contact with the contaminated water while bathing, swimming, or performing daily chores, such as washing laundry, fetching water, and herding animals.

Fully matured worms often travel to the intestine, liver or bladder. The symptoms of intestinal schistosomiasis can include abdominal pain, diarrhoea and blood in the stool. Liver and spleen enlargement is also common in advanced cases.

The classic sign of urogenital schistosomiasis is blood in the urine. In women, urogenital schistosomiasis can present with genital lesions, vaginal bleeding, pain during sexual intercourse and nodules on the vulva.

"The reaction to the eggs of the worms can causes problem in the pelvic region, where the reproductive organs are and as such theoretically cause infertility. It has been seen in some special cases to cause infertility.

"Schistosomiasis is not one of the common causes of infertility. However, this unusual presentation of the disease had, in some instances, been reported in some cases to have contributed to infertility problem. Basically, the reaction to the eggs causes fibrosis and in that respect, could affect the reproductive organs, which are in the pelvic region, hence, resulting into infertility in both genders. "For instance, if it causes fibrosis around the fallopian tube, then it can block this tube, causing infertility. Where the ovaries are affected, it can contribute to infertility. The same is the case with reproductive organs of man.

The case of schistosomiasis affecting the reproductive organs of women was detected for the first time, in a young Egyptian woman, more than 100 years ago. This has been associated with ectopic pregnancy, infertility, miscarriage and HIV. Due to bleeding and sores in the vulva, schistosomiasis affecting the bladder and genital tract is also a risk factor for HIV transmission, especially in women. It can also contribute to painful sex.

Studies have demonstrated that pregnant women infected with schistosomiasis develop severe anaemia, have low birth weight infants, and an increased infant and maternal mortality rate. In men, heavy infection of schistosomiasis of the male genital tract can affect the testicles, prostate and other organs.

A serious, long-term irreversible consequence of schistosomiasis can include male infertility. Rarely, eggs can be found in the brain or spinal cord and cause seizures, paralysis, or spinal cord inflammation.

 Infection can occur if one's mouth or lips come in contact with contaminated water. So drinking safe water is important. Boiling water for at least one minute will normally kill any harmful parasites, bacteria or viruses present.

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