Sexually Transmitted Diseases Can Have Long-Term Impact On Male’s Fertility, Affect Sperm Health

There are a lot of factors that can impact the fertility of men as well as women. These can be unhealthy life choices, such as diet, choosing a sedentary lifestyle and being lethargic. One of the major factors about infertility is that most men and women are not aware of is the sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’s) or Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI’s) are diseases, infections and illnesses that can spread from one person to another through sexual contact and it is very common in people who do not take precautions while having sexual intercourse. The contact is usually vaginal or oral. But sometimes these infections can be spread through intimate physical contact. Some STIs can be treated and cured easily. Others require more complicated treatment to manage them. If left untreated, STIs can increase the risk of developing another STI such as HIV. This happens because STI can develop an immune response in the genital area or cause sores, either of which might raise the risk of HIV transmission. Some untreated STIs can also lead to infertility, organ damage, certain types of cancer or death. A common question every man have is whether sexually transmitted diseases cause erectile dysfunction. The answer is yes, it does cause erectile dysfunction as certain STIs, like chlamydia, gonorrhoea, untreated HIV, and viral hepatitis can sometimes cause infections in the prostate gland. If this does happen, then it is possible for you to have symptoms of ED.

Different Types of STD’s That Can Impact Male’s Fertility

One of the major aspects that are detrimental to male fertility and sperm functionality is STD’s. There are different types of STD’s that affect male fertility such as Chlamydia, Genital Herpes, HIV/AIDS, Gonorrhoea and Syphilis

Chlamydia

It is one of the most recurring sexually transmitted diseases. Most people who get chlamydia do not show symptoms. If left untreated, chlamydia can lead to a considerable decline in the motility and quality of sperm, which makes conception much more difficult.

Genital Herpes

Genital herpes has no cure. Symptoms (common blisters around the genitals) can appear and clear up by themselves, but the virus will remain in the body and may cause blisters to outbreak at any time.

HIV/AIDS

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is passed from person to person through blood or body fluid transmission and can cause Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDs). There is no cure for HIV, but treatment can control the virus, affording those with HIV the possibility to live long and healthy lives.

Gonorrhoea

It is an infection caused by a bacterium that infects both genders and often affects the urethra, rectum or throat.

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Syphilis

It is a bacterial infection that usually spreads through sexual contact. It appears typically on the genitals, rectum or mouth.

Symptoms

One of the biggest challenges with STDs is that they often involve mild symptoms that make them hard to diagnose. However, there are certain factors that can indicate the symptoms of STDs in males:

1. Unusual discharge from the penis
2. Blisters or sores in or around the mouth
3. Painful or frequent urination
4. Itching and redness in the genital area
5. Sores or warts on the genital area
6. The abnormal odour from genitals
7. Fever
8. Abdominal pain
9. Soreness or bleeding
10. Causes

STDs can be caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites and can be transmitted genetically. Some of the major causes of STDs are viral infections that can be sexually transmitted including human papillomavirus (HPV), HIV, herpes, hepatitis B and C, and HHV-8. Trichomonas can also be a sexually transmitted infection and it is caused by a parasite. Infestations with parasitic bugs, such as lice or scabies, can also be transmitted by close contact and maybe acquired during sexual activity.

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Prevention

While it is almost impossible to stop the spread of STDs, but there are certain preventive measures that can limit its spread. These include:

1. Using a condom and other barriers to avoid direct contact
2. Using water-based lubricant during sexual intercourse
3. Having regular sexual health check-ups
4. Ensure that the partners are diagnosed with STD
5. Getting tested for STDs regularly if sexually active

While infertility issues can happen to anyone in any age group, it is important to understand those lifestyle choices play a crucial role in preventing this condition. A sedentary lifestyle is highly responsible for triggering the problem of infertility. Therefore, it is important to have some form of physical exercise daily and maintain a healthy lifestyle, have a balanced diet and weight. Being underweight or overweight can cause problems to the male reproductive system. Apart from maintaining a healthy lifestyle, one must visit an andrologist if they have any symptoms of infertility for better consultation. Ignorance of these symptoms can make it even worse and further lead to infertility. It is important to understand that the problem of infertility can be treated with a better lifestyle and consultation because it’s a man’s thing and one should not feel hesitant to discuss it.