The inability to conceive and have children has become a common problem, with approximately one out of 6 couples experiencing it globally. Not just women, the incidence of men suffering from fertility issues is also on the rise. While many factors are responsible for this, one such is infection. If not treated, this infection may affect the reproductive system and hamper male fertility. This article explores infectious diseases and sperm motility in men.
When a male is unable to reproduce despite having regular and unprotected intercourse, he may have fertility problems. There can be many factors that contribute to it, and viral and bacterial infections are among them. The main cause of fertility issues in men is poor semen quality. The abnormal shape of the sperm, lack of sperm, and sperm not moving in the semen properly are factors that contribute to male fertility issues. Sperm motility, which is the ability of sperm to move efficiently, is one of the crucial factors for fertilisation. A motile sperm moves through the female reproductive tract, penetrates the egg, and fertilises it. A decline in this motility leads to lower chances of conception. Infectious diseases may have an impact on sperm motility and affect male fertility.
Infectious diseases can directly and indirectly affect sperm motility. Some factors include:
● Inflammation: Many infections lead to inflammation, which leads to the production of cytokines that impact sperm quality.
● Oxidative stress: Infections cause oxidative stress, leading to damage to DNA and sperm membrane, impacting sperm motility.
● Testicular damage: Some infections, like mumps, directly infect the testes, impacting sperm production and motility.
● Fever: It causes fever and systemic illness, and the use of medications can temporarily affect sperm quality and production.
● Hormonal imbalance: Some viruses like HIV can cause hormonal imbalances like a decrease in testosterone levels, which impact sperm quality and production.
Male fertility can be affected by the following infections:
This is a bacterial infection that is sexually transmitted and is one of the most common infections, STI, in men. It is associated with symptoms like swollen testicles, a burning sensation while urinating, and penal discharge. If left untreated, it can permanently affect male fertility by hampering sperm production, damaging sperm membranes, and affecting motility.
This is another sexually transmitted infection that can impact male fertility. The symptoms include a burning sensation in the penis, penal discharge that is white, green, or yellow, and pain or swelling in the testicles. It can lead to prostrate gland infection and epididymitis, which reduces sperm quality and production.
It is an STI that causes low sperm motility as the bacteria latches to these cells. This infection is typically asymptomatic and is only diagnosed during sperm analysis. These infections typically damage the sperm membrane and cause sperm morphological abnormalities, reducing motility.
UTI is caused by the growth of bacteria in the urine. The symptoms of this condition include chills, fever, and a burning sensation during urination. If left untreated, it can spread to the epididymis, testicles, and other reproductive organs, causing reduced motility and low sperm count.
HIV is another common infection that impacts male fertility. This impacts the sexual drive as well as the reproductive systems of an individual. Men who have this infection should ensure safe intercourse so that it does not spread to the partner. HIV is a very common infection in India, and hence, it is recommended that you get tested, especially if you have multiple partners.
This airborne disease is another common cause of enlargement or swelling of lymph nodes under or near the jawline. Mumps is a viral infection that leads to swollen testicles that can permanently impact sperm production.
Epididymitis is a long tube that is like a coil and is behind the testicles. The major symptom of this condition is epididymitis inflammation.
To check for infectious diseases and fertility a combination of diagnostic tests is recommended. Some of them include:
● A semen analysis: It is a primary test that is recommended to diagnose male fertility issues. It is a lab test where a semen sample is examined for the quality and volume of the sperm.
● Blood tests: These are done to check for infections and to measure hormone levels. It also checks if there are any genetic or chromosomal abnormalities.
● Urinalysis: This is a urine test that helps to diagnose sexually transmitted infections.
● Testicular biopsy: A small quantity of testicular tissue is removed to test whether the testicles are producing sperm effectively or not.
Treatment for infectious disease depends on the condition and typically consists of:
● Antibiotics: A single dose can cure many STIs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea. Once you start the treatment, you should finish the prescription. Once you finish the prescribed course of medicines, people should get retested so there is less chance of reinfection.
● Antiviral drugs: If you have HIV, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medications to keep the viral infection under control. These medicines can keep the infection in check, but you can still have the virus and spread it, though the risk is low. Starting the treatment immediately and taking it as prescribed is more effective as it helps to reduce the viral load.
If you have had STI, ask your doctor when to get retested after treatment. Taking a retest ensures that the treatment has worked and that you are not reinfected or won’t infect your partner.
Now that you know that infections can affect male fertility, you can make informed decisions and engage only in safe intercourse. Consult a doctor if you think you may have an infection so that it can be treated before it affects the reproductive system. Additionally, if you are already infected and want to start a family, you risk infecting your partner. So, get an STI test if you are in doubt.
Infectious disease affects sperm motility in many ways, including inflammation, oxidative stress, testicular damage, and sperm DNA fragmentation.
Yes. A bacterial infection in the male reproductive system can decrease sperm motility.
Yes. It is possible to treat infections that impact sperm motility through antibiotics.
Decreased semen quality and quantity, reduced sex drive, and low testosterone levels are some ways HIV affects sperm motility.
