There are over 20 diseases that are transmitted sexually. Many have serious and costly consequences. Among women with PID, scarring will result in involuntary infertility in 20 percent, potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy in 9 percent, and chronic pelvic pain in 18 percent. Ectopic pregnancy is the leading cause of first trimester pregnancy-related deaths among American women. An estimated 500,000-1,000,000 new infections each year Sexually transmitted HPV is the single most important risk factor for cervical cancer, which was responsible for approximately 5,000 deaths in American women in 1995.
Pap smears can identify early signs of cell abnormalities and precancerous conditions.
There are many treatments, but no cures for genital warts. The warts may go away, but the virus remains and others can be infected. It is estimated that as many as 30 million Americans may now carry the herpes virus. There is no cure, but there are drugs to reduce the pain and length of outbreaks and reduce the likelihood of infecting a sexual partner. Fetal or neonatal death occurs in up to 40 percent of pregnant women who have untreated syphilis.