Sexually transmitted infections are becoming common, and many STIs now have treatment options. However, evidence shows that STIs can affect male fertility and potentially harm male reproductive health. We have found 5 STIs that affect male fertility.
- Herpes
Be wary of genital herpes since it has no cure. Thus there is a lot of stigmas associated with this sexually-transmitted infection.
How do you know that you have genital herpes? It’s easy, simply check if you have blisters around your genitalia. They can spread and then disappear just as suddenly.
But this disappearance of the blisters doesn’t mean that the virus is gone. It could remain dormant in your body and may occasionally pop up again.
Does genital herpes trigger infertility in men? Yes, it does. Though the available study is scanty, one research found that that infection could result in a low sperm count.
Despite limited assessment, it’s possible to pass herpes from one sex partner to the other. Worst still, it can quickly transfer to the unborn child.
For this reason, you need to remain faithful to your partner. Further, you should treat recurring blisters fast.
In a publication by the International Journal of Fertility and Sterility, recent research has indicated that HSV semen contamination can be considered a potential risk factor for male infertility. The studies reveal that it impacts various crucial semen parameters like sperm count, vitality, motility, and morphology by causing alterations in semen pH, changing leukocyte concentration or number, and increasing DNA fragmentation.
- HIV
Like genital herpes, the human immunodeficiency virus is another STI that has no cure. HIV is an infectious sexual disease transferred through body fluid.
Hence if you have unprotected sex with an infected person, you are likely to get it. It may be through semen. Further analyses are needed to establish whether you can get HIV through saliva.
But it works differently from herpes. HIV slowly degrades your immune system, rendering you defenseless against opportunistic infections. It also garnishes your germ cells – pre-sperm cells.
If your germ cells are destroyed, you have fewer seedlings for sperm development. Again, you are likely to contact other ailments that devour your sperm factory. These secondary infections can then result in hypogonadism and low testosterone levels.
If HIV is left unchecked, it can transform into a full-blown acquired immune disease syndrome (AIDS).
At this stage, your body is too weak to defend against even the mildest of infection.
- Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is another STI exhibiting subtle symptoms. But it still results in male infertility most of the time.
As per Everyday Health, Gonorrhea is an extremely prevalent sexually transmitted infection (STI). In 2016, approximately 0.9% of females and 0.7% of males worldwide were estimated to have contracted gonorrhea, resulting in a staggering 30.6 million cases worldwide. In the United States alone, there were 468,514 reported cases of gonorrhea for that year, translating to an incidence rate of 145.8 cases per 100,000 individuals in the country.
How does gonorrhea hamper fertility? Through epididymitis, which is an inflammation of the tube that helps sperm flow during ejaculation.
This soreness prevents the mature sperm from flowing from the back of the testis to the sperm duct, where it ejects during sexual manipulation.
As such, gonorrhea prevents you not only from ejaculating sufficient sperm necessary to reach the egg. It also distorts the sperm structure, making it hard to swim to the destination.
This situation could render you infertile if you don’t seek treatment. But you can avoid this situation by seeking prompt medical help.
A six-week dose of antibiotics can eradicate all signs of gonorrhea. Failure to do this could complicate matters.
Besides advancing your odds of becoming infertile, you can also pass the disease to your partner and even your newborn. It causes gonococcal conjunctivitis in infants.
- Hepatitis
Hepatitis is caused by liver infection and is grouped in different categories. There are Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. While less common ones include alcoholic and autoimmune hepatitis.
All these variants are caused by a virus emanating from a diseased liver. Each type of hepatitis affects different areas in your body. But hepatitis type B is the one most associated with sexuality.
Fortunately, your body can fight off the unwanted effects of HBV. But if you contact it, you are 1.6 times more likely to suffer from infertility than men who aren’t infected.
The most likely cause of HBV-triggered infertility is lower sperm count and sperm morbidity. Though its impact spreads beyond your sex life.
Hepatitis B virus can spread liver cirrhosis and even cause liver cancer. You can also transfer it to your baby, with far worse and long-term repercussions to the infant’s liver.
- Chlamydia
This sexually transmitted infection is very common. Unfortunately, it goes untreated since it doesn’t show any symptoms.
But you can identify and treat it earlier. All you have to do is undergo regular medical checkups if you are sexually active.
You need to test yourself every time you have unprotected sex with a new partner. And even if you are in a monogamous relationship, you still have to go for routine sexual diseases screening.
So how does chlamydia impact your fertility? Well, this STI causes your sperm to lose its motility and quantity. Since you have a very little volume of deformed semen, it’s difficult to impregnate a woman.
And that’s not all. It’s dangerous to engage in sex when you have this form of infection. This is because it can be passed on to newborn babies.
Chlamydia can cause conjunctivitis in babies born vaginally. To prevent this, you and your partner must get tested when you plan to start a family.
As reported by the World Health Organization (WHO), Chlamydia trachomatis infections were alarmingly widespread in 2020, with an estimated 128.5 million new cases among adults aged 15 to 49 years worldwide. The global prevalence was higher in women, with approximately 4.0% of females and 2.5% of males aged 15 to 49 years being affected by this infection in the same year. Moreover, it was observed that Chlamydial infections were more prevalent among young individuals.
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- Hepatitis B
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. It has many substrates, including A, B, C, D, E, and alcohol. But hepatitis B is the most commonly linked to sexual activity.
Hepatitis B is usually acute, meaning it lasts for six months. Still, chronic cases linger longer than a year. Patients don’t know that they have this condition as they exhibit no signs.
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. HBV increases the odds of liver failure, liver cancer, and cirrhosis. So how do you know you have HBV?
Signs range from mild to severe. Abdominal pain, dark urine, and fever are just some of these. When it becomes severe, you experience loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, and yellowing of the skin and eyes.
You contract HBV through the transfer of seminal fluids via unprotected sex, saliva via kissing, and sharing contaminated syringes. But you can prevent HBV through inoculation.
- Syphilis
Syphilis is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, which spread through sexual contact and starts as an innocent sore. It gains entry through raptured tissue, mucus membrane, and skin.
The infection progresses in stages, with each level having different symptoms. Initially, it’s a pointless sore on the genitals or mouth.
Once this heals, it transforms into a rash. The rash begins in your core but may spread to cover the whole body, including the palm of your hands.
If this is left untreated, it remains dormant for several years, coming and going. Some people lose hair and have sore throats and swollen lymph nodes.
In the tertiary stage, the disease is advanced and may cause brain and heart damage. It also kills the nervous and visual functions. About a third of people infected with this condition and don’t get treatment advance to this stage.
But treatment is easy. Taking penicillin eradicates it.
In conclusion, we discussed content related to five STIs that affect male fertility. We hope that we provided you with what you were looking for, and now you can make decisions regarding your health to reduce your chances of getting infected with STI.
SIMILAR QUESTION
Can STIs Damage Sperm?
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a common and serious problem, affecting millions of individuals around the world. In addition to the pain, discomfort, and other physical symptoms associated with STIs, there is also the possibility of long-term damage to reproductive organs and fertility. One of the questions that many have is whether STIs can damage sperm.
The answer is yes. STIs can damage sperm in a number of ways. One of the most common is through inflammation. Many STIs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, cause inflammation of the reproductive organs. This inflammation can cause scarring, which can interfere with the normal movement of sperm. In addition, the inflammation can damage the sperm itself, making it less viable for fertilization.
Another way STIs can damage sperm is through the transfer of infectious particles. Many STIs, such as HIV and herpes, are viral infections. These viruses can directly attack sperm, or they can be transferred to the sperm during sexual contact. This can lead to the destruction of the sperm and reduced fertility.
Finally, some STIs, such as syphilis, can cause lesions on the reproductive organs. These lesions can interfere with the normal production and expulsion of sperm, reducing fertility. In addition, the lesions can also damage the sperm itself, making it less viable for fertilization.
In conclusion, STIs can damage sperm in a number of ways. These include inflammation, transfer of infectious particles, and lesions on the reproductive organs. It is important to practice safe sex in order to reduce the risk of STIs and the associated damage to sperm. If you are concerned about your fertility, it is best to speak with a doctor who can provide more detailed information and advice.
