Common STDs That Can Cause Infertililty in Males and Females

30 Apr Common STDs That Can Cause Infertililty in Males and Females

Sexually transmitted diseases are a broad term that covers more than 20 diseases affecting the sexual reproductive system.

Since the diseases cause specific complications to the reproductive system, their association with infertility is not surprising.

Though there hasn’t been any direct prominent research on “how can STDs cause infertility” directly, certain STDS have been widely studied for their infertility effects!

A comprehensive literature search that identified all the articles and studies conducted from 1975 to 2016 brought out many small links between STDs and infertility.

According to the search, not all but certain STDs can cause tubal factor infertility and PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease) among women.

Though the link between STD and male infertility was not understood, there came big revelations that we cover in the following sections.

How Do STDs Cause Infertility?

A Sexually transmitted disease can affect the fertility of both men and women through either:

• Direct effect, or
• indirect effect

In more severe forms, infertility may result when an std leads to complications of the reproductive system because of the severe spread of infection.

But this, unlike the direct and indirect links, is more common in women as untreated STDs often move up the system affecting the:

• Uterus
• Ovaries
• Fallopian tubes

This spread results in scarring or inflammation of the tissues of these reproductive areas, causing a severe impact on fertility.

Moving back to the direct and indirect ways of how STDs can cause infertility, here is what science has to say.

Direct Effects of STDs on Infertility

The most common cause of infertility among women is tubal factor infertility accounting for 30% of female infertility in the US.

According to medical reports, most cases of tubal factor infertility are associated with the salpingitis, which are:

• Inflammation of fallopian tubes,
• and gradual pelvic peritoneal adhesions.

Since salpingitis occurs when a pathogenic bacteria transverses the mucosa of the cervix to finally reach the fallopian tubes, STDs associated with salpingitis can definitely cause infertility.

Another condition associated with STDs is Pelvic Inflammatory Disorders (PIDs) which can cause infertility among women.

PIDs is a condition characterized by scarring of the cervix, vagina, ovaries, and uterus; it can cause irreversible damage and result in tubal factor infertility.

Both these conditions affect the fallopian tubes and hence cause infertility because of:

• The inability of a sperm to reach the eggs because of inflamed fallopian tubes, or
• Failure of a fertilized egg to implant in the uterus because of blocked fallopian tubes

Some STDs can also affect male fertility directly by causing erectile dysfunction, however, the link is not clear.

While this was about the direct effects that a sexually transmitted disease can have on your fertility, there are also some notable indirect effects.

How Can STDs Cause Infertility Indirectly?

Can STDs cause infertility in males? 

The answer to this question highlights the indirect effects of STDs on infertility.

STDs usually don’t affect males directly, but can have indirect effects like:

• Low sperm quality
• Less sperm motility
• Lower semen volume
• Reduced sperm count

Other than these effects on male fertility, the second type of indirect effects of STDs on fertility affects the couple collectively.

For example, certain STDs don’t affect any of the above sperm parameters, or don’t cause any TFI (Tubal Factor Infertility), but can prevent you from having sex.

Some STDs can cause lesions, which make sexual intercourse painful.

However, not all STDs cause infertility as only a few STDs interfere with the fertilization process.

What STDs Cause Infertility?

According to medical data, not all STDs cause a long-term effect on the reproductive system and hence don’t cause infertility.

But the STDs that cause infertility can interfere with fertilization by direct role, host interactions, and also through co-infections.

Since sometimes the bacteria causing infertility among women can be different than the ones affecting male fertility, we divide the list as:

What STDs Cause Infertility in Females

Following are some of the STDs that can be a causative factor behind infertility in women:

 #1. Chlamydia 

It is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases associated with infertility among women.

Many seroepidemiological studies show the presence of the antibodies of the Chlamydia, causing pathogen among women with confirmed fallopian damage. 

This shows that a history of Chlamydia can cause infertility.

More extensive research also found Chlamydia responsible for pelvic inflammatory damage confirming that, if left untreated, it can cause TFI.

In another study that considered subfertile women, chlamydial antibodies were associated with a 33% lower pregnancy rate. 

Hence, all the above studies give a clear answer to can chlamydia make you infertile, and hence, it is an important STD in terms of fertility.

How can Chlamydia Cause Infertility? 

Chlamydia is caused by the bacteria, Chlamydia trachomatis, which can cause irreversible damage to the fallopian tubes, leading to occlusion of the tubes.

It produces heat shock proteins that result in a pro-inflammatory immune response in the epithelium of the fallopian tubes causing scarring.

This results in occlusion leading to infertility among women.

#2. Gonorrhea

After Chlamydia, Gonnorhoea is the second most common cause of infertility among women.

It is usually asymptomatic but the causative agent has the property of moving up the genital tract and causing reproductive damage.

According to the studies, it causes fallopian damage and further infertility. 

In this study, there was a high percentage of bacteria among women with damaged fallopian tubes than in women with normal fallopian tubes.

#3. Mycoplasma Genitalium

In some cases, there’s the presence of TFI as well as fallopian tubal damage, but neither of the above two organisms is confirmed.

During such cases, mycoplasma can be a possible microorganism affecting your fertility.

According to a study conducted on women with confirmed tubal infertility, there were 17% cases of M.Genitalium. 

Here’s how the STDs can make you infertile:

It attaches to the epithelial cells of the fallopian tube and stimulates an inflammatory response that results in inflammation of the tubes.

The bacterium can also cause:

• Swelling of the cilia of fallopian tubes
• Inoculation

However, as compared to the damage by the first two bacteria, it has a moderate effect.

#4. Trichomoniasis

There is relatively less research on how can trichomoniasis cause infertility but one such study found self-reported infertility cases had a higher chance of Trichomoniasis.

Also, medical reports suggest that even if Trichomoniasis has a good curable rate, the more times you get infected, the more are chances of infertility.

This could be because of its property of co-infections with other microorganisms, like in the case of women suffering from HIV and Trichomoniasis.

Other than that, the microorganism is commonly associated with male infertility.

#5. Other Pathogens

Some other pathogens that can target the upper genital tract and could be marked as a possible risk of infertility are:

• Genital Mycoplasma 
• Ureaplasmas

Sometimes, interactions between vaginal microbe and other bacteria too can cause infertility like in the case of bacterial vaginosis.

Hence, if you ever questioned if BV can cause infertility, then the possible answer would be a yes as even an unbalanced vaginal microbe can lead to reproductive problems.

Besides, STDs causing female infertility, some particular STDs can also cause male infertility.

STDs That Cause Infertility in Males

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are also possible causes of infertility among men as they affect the sperm parameters.

Other than these two, some other STDs that affect male fertility are:

#1. Herpes

There isn’t large-scale research on the connection between Herpes and infertility, but there’s a small-scale study on how can herpes cause infertility?

A study was conducted on over 70 men to look if herpes is associated with any sort of infertility.

According to the study, men affected by either HSV 1 or HSV 2 viruses showed reduced sperm count.

#2. HIV

In cases of severe illness by HIV, semen parameters are affected leading to infertility.

But moderate or asymptomatic HIV in men doesn’t have the same impact as a severe state of HIV.

Yet, it doesn’t rule out the possibility of HIV causing infertility as sometimes even the treatment used in the disease can interfere with normal fertility.

#3. Human Papilloma Virus

According to evidence, the virus can affect both male and female fertility.

The result came out through a study conducted back in 2019 which observed semen samples of 20 men who had positive HPV reports.

Results showed that HPV infections were mostly reported among men with abnormal semen parameters.

Yet, we need more studies on how HPV causes infertility as very few studies link it to reduced sperm production.

#4. Mycoplasma or Ureaplasma

There is one literature research that suggests some particular strains were found in a higher percentage among infertile men.

But not all strains of mycoplasma or ureaplasma are related to infertility.

Mycoplasma mechanism – how can STDs make you infertile?

According to some reports, mycoplasma leads to fragmentation in the sperm DNA that causes infertility problems.

Yet, we need more research about it.

Though sexually transmitted diseases can cause severe infertility problems, they are treatable after early diagnosis.

But people usually don’t notice the symptoms and fail to understand the cause behind their infertility.

Hence, it is important to have an idea about the symptoms of STDs that can make you infertile.

How to Know If I Have STD Related Infertility? [Symptoms]

Infertility can have many causes, and usually, STDs go unnoticed because sometimes people ignore the symptoms.

On the other hand, it could also be possible that an STD can go asymptomatic.

However, the following STDs that affect fertility have some common symptoms which help in the provisional diagnosis of the STD.

#1. Chlamydia

Though chlamydia is asymptomatic most of the time, it can also show prominent signs among both men and women.

Here is how to know if chlamydia has caused infertility.

For women:

• Pain in the pelvic region
• Abnormal periods which are usually heavy
• Pain during penetrative sex
• Spotting between periods or while you are having sex
• Burning sensation during urination

Men:

• Abnormal discharge from your penis
• Burning sensation during urination
• Urge to scratch near the opening of your penis

#2. Gonorrhea

It is uncertain how long can gonorrhea go untreated before it causes infertility as women are mostly asymptomatic.

But two common signs among women could be abnormal discharge from the vagina and burning during urination.

On the other hand, its prominent sign among men is yellowish pus-like discharge from the penis.

#3. Herpes

It shows common symptoms among both men and women which include:

• Blisters in the genital area
• Burning sensation 

Although herpes can’t be treated, as the symptoms become severe, medications help reduce the severity.

#4. Mycoplasma Genitalium (MG)

The mycoplasma genitalium is very common among sexually transmitted diseases and affects both men and women.

The symptoms among women are:

• Abnormal vaginal discharge
• Inflammation of the cells of the epithelium of the urethra and cervix
• Gradual PID

The symptoms among men include:

Usually, men don’t see any symptoms of Mycoplasma, but some men can notice the following signs:

• Inflammation in the urethra
• Burning sensation during urination
• Abnormal discharge from the penis

Other sexually transmitted diseases have similar symptoms, and these symptoms could go severe interfering with not just infertility but also your daily life.

Hence, it is always better to prevent such diseases than to look out for cures.

How to Prevent Sexually Transmitted Diseases? [Tips]

Usually the microorganisms responsible for sexually transmitted diseases spread through oral, vaginal, or anal sex. 

There are a few basic ways of preventing the spread.

#1. Abstinence from Sex

Not having sex is the best way to avoid the spread of any sexually transmitted disease. This includes all forms of sex, like vaginal, oral, and even anal.

But since not everybody can abstain from having sex, you can consider the following preventive steps.

RELATED: Is Celibacy Healthy?

#2. Vaccination

Vaccination helps prevent the spread of:

• Hepatitis B 
• Human Papilloma virus

The vaccination for HPV is effective for people in the age group of 11 – 26 post which it is not recommended.

But you can check if you can go for the vaccination till 45 after consultation with your doctor.

The vaccination is highly beneficial among the age group of 11-26.

#3. Fewer Sexual Partners

Having fewer sexual partners reduces the risk of sexually transmitted diseases.

But even a single partner could spread the infection and hence it is wiser to get yourself and your partner tested from time to time.

#4. Mutual Monogamy

Being sexually active with one person keeps away the risk of having an STD.

Mutual monogamy keeps you and your partner involved only with each other, reducing the risk of infection by some other partner.

However, you must make sure that both of you don’t have any history of sexually transmitted diseases.

#5. Using Condoms

Though there are many ways of preventing conception, the only way that prevents any sexual spread of disease is using condoms.

Condoms can be used during all forms of sex to prevent all modes of spread.

On the off chance, if you are allergic to latex condoms, there are also non-latex condoms available.

But remember that non-latex condoms are low in strength as compared to latex condoms.

Other than these methods, since the spread could also occur through skin contact, avoid sharing your towels or underclothing during sex.

Moving on, we next talk about how STDs can be treated if the prevention fails.

How to Treat Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)?

Sexually transmitted diseases caused by bacteria are easier to treat as compared to the diseases caused by a virus.

On the off chance, if you are pregnant, start the treatment immediately to prevent the spread of infection to your child.

Depending on the causative organism, there are two ways of treating the diseases:

#1. Antibiotics 

Usually, antibiotics for sexually transmitted diseases are of a single dose.

They can treat infections like:

• Gonorrhea
• Syphilis
• Chlamydia
• Trichomoniasis

Since chlamydia and gonorrhea can occur at the same time, antibiotics can treat two infections at the same time.

However, never leave the dosage in between once you start the treatment. There can also be a short-term and long-term course of the medications. Choose according to your comfort.

Also, avoid having sex seven days post completing the course.

#2. Antivirals

Antiviral drugs work for herpes and HIV. Daily dosage prevents the reoccurrence of herpes but can still spread the infection.

Antiviral drugs are effective for HIV for a long period of time, yet the spread cannot be prevented.

Even post-treatment, ask your doctor about when you should get retested for the STD as that’s important to keep the disease in check.

Final Word

Sexually transmitted diseases have a severe impact on the reproductive system and are target specific.

As a result, when left untreated, they can have complications that include infertility.

Though most bacterial STDs are treatable, when it comes to viral STDs, the treatment can be complex.

Hence, it is best to prevent the spread as much as you can.

Although STDs can cause infertility among men too, it is more common among women and hence women should be more conscious.

The effects of STDs on women are severe because they can cause inflammation of the pelvic region.

While taking preventative steps is the best way forward, there are treatments that can help you steer clear of any severe issues.

With this, we wrap up the blog and hope you’ve gotten sufficient information out of this. Do leave any other queries and your like down below if you found the blog useful.