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Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are a major health problem, particularly for women in developing countries. Serious sequelae include ascending infections leading to chronic discomfort, ectopic pregnancy and infertility, cervical cancer, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Primary prevention involves sexual behavior modifications and condom use, and secondary prevention targets early and appropriate management of STD and reproductive tract infections (RTI). There is an urgent need for comprehensive preventive and curative reproductive health services, as well as for inexpensive, simple, rapid, and convenient STD diagnostics and treatment regimens. Female controlled barrier methods are a priority in the field of applied research. In additions, women's voices have to be heard in health and development programs., Women may experience severe complications from sexually transmitted diseases (STD), including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), cancer of the cervix and infertility. STD such as gonorrhea and chlamydia can lead to PID, especially in developing countries. PID can itself lead to infertility as scar tissue from repeated infections can block the fallopian tubes. Cervical cancer is believed to be caused by human papillomavirus infection. It can be treated and even cured if diagnosed in the early stages. However, like many STD and other diseases in women's reproductive organs, cervical cancer commonly goes undetected until too late; it is usually fatal. Other factors hindering the treatment of STD in women is their poverty, lack of control of barrier methods of contraception and the orientation of health clinics toward childbearing.