Which STDs Affect Male Fertility?

Catching an STD or STI carries countless complications for both male and females. With the current infertility crisis affecting developed nations around the world, it’s important to recognize the risks associated with untreated STDs. Even though the problems associated with women infertility, the recent buzz around the ‘male infertility crisis’ has sparked interest in the association between male infertility and STDs.

The process that STDs take to interrupt female fertility is extremely similar to the ways that they affect men. To put it more simply, STDs will disturb the epididymis and urethra — disrupting the reproductive tract and making it more difficult to get your partner pregnant. Viral infections and immunodeficiency related to HIV can also reduce the semen quality in men. Infertility is usually less common in men than in women. That’s because men are more likely to see symptoms than women and are therefore more likely to get treated.  

Chlamydia & Gonorrhea

 When it comes to infertility, chlamydia and gonorrhea are usually the first culprits. That’s because they usually work together by swelling and infecting the reproductive tract, this makes it more difficult for good semen to make it out of your body. Going further, if you have undiagnosed chlamydia or gonorrhea, you risk spreading that to your partner which will not only infect them but can give them pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) thus making reproduction even more difficult. In fact, PID is responsible for almost half of all tubal infertility cases.

Herpes 

There is very little evidence linking herpes to infertility, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t a possibility. However, what evidence there is suggests that herpes is associated with reduced sperm count in men. There is also evidence that herpes may, in fact, make it more difficult for men’s reproductive systems to produce sperm. Herpes viruses have also been found developing inside sperm cells. Even though the implications are still hazy, the correlation between infertility and herpes simplex virus is worth noting.

HIV

 Much like herpes, the science on whether or not HIV affects infertility is unclear. However, there is some suggestion that HIV negatively affects sperm health. Regardless of its direct impact on sperm, HIV heavily complicates the childbearing process for those having children or going through fertility treatment. That’s because the virus is transmittable through the sperm. That means that any fertility associated with HIV needs to be monitored and handled by a health care professional. Having children isn’t impossible, but doing it safely needs direction.  

When it comes to having children and healthy fertility, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. At myLAB Box™ we have kits to test you for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, HIV, Herpes, and now Male Fertility. If you choose us, we promise trusted results and discreet communication so you feel safe in every situation. We also have an entire panel of Doctors willing and ready to give you a free consultation based around the next steps you need to take for a healthy reproductive system. Getting tested doesn’t need to be scary, contact us today.