What potential complication can gonorrhea lead to in women?

Gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, can lead to several serious health complications in women, with infertility being one of the most significant. When left untreated, gonorrhea can ascend from the cervix to the uterus and fallopian tubes, leading to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can cause scarring and damage to the reproductive organs, notably the fallopian tubes, which can result in infertility. The risk of ectopic pregnancies also increases, further complicating reproductive health.

The other options presented do not align with the known complications associated with gonorrhea. Increased libido and enhanced immune response are not characteristics that arise from this infection. Furthermore, improved cardiovascular health is not a recognized complication of gonorrhea and would not occur as a result of this infection. Therefore, understanding that untreated gonorrhea can result in serious reproductive health issues like infertility is crucial for appropriate medical assessment and intervention.