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Why can sexually transmitted infections spread without being noticed?

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varicocele — reproductive system disease Varicocele, enlargement of the veins of the spermatic cord, is a cause of infertility in men.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) often spread without being noticed because many of these diseases do not produce initial symptoms of any significance. Because individuals may be unaware they are infected, the diseases frequently go untreated, which significantly increases the risk of transmission to others and the likelihood of developing serious health complications.1

For example, untreated chlamydial infections in women are a primary preventable cause of female sterility. While some infections, such as granuloma inguinale, may manifest as deep ulcers on or near the genital organs, many other common STIs remain underreported and asymptomatic in their early stages.12

It is ethically imperative to prioritize public health through education and the practice of safer sexual strategies, such as the use of condoms or abstinence, to curb the spread of these infections. Relying on early detection and prevention is essential, as some conditions can lead to long-term damage, including sterility, if left unaddressed.13