What Infections Can Cause Infertility?

What Infections Can Cause Infertility?

Any infection or sickness, if not treated can hamper the fertility in both men and women by damaging the reproductive parts.

Infertility Due To Infections in Men

Here is a list of infections that can cause infertility:

Chlamydia

This is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacterial infection. The symptoms include burning sensation during urination, swollen testicles, and discharges from the penis. If left untreated, Chlamydia can cause infertility in men by permanently scarring and blocking the reproductive parts and hampering the sperm production.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is an STI that can cause infertility in men. The symptoms include green, yellow or white discharge from the penis, dysuria, burning around the penis, swelling or pain in the testicles. It can lead to epididymitis and prostate gland infection which lowers the sperm production and its quality.

Mycoplasma

Mycoplasma is a sexually transmitted condition that can cause low motility of sperm cells by latching onto these cells. There are no noticeable symptoms of Mycoplasma until unless they are diagnosed for the cause of infertility.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

UTI is caused by the unwanted growth of the bacteria (generally E.coli) in the urine. The symptoms of UTI include fever, chills and burning sensation while urinating. The bacteria may spread to reproductive parts such as testicles, epididymis and other sex glands causing low sperm count and reduced motility.

Infertility Due To Infections in Women

Bacterial Vaginosis and Yeast Infection

These infections are very common in women. It can cause the internal vaginal flora to become unbalanced which makes it harder for the sperm to reach the uterus.

Human Papillomavirus Infection

HPV infection is a sexually transmitted disease that affects the epithelial cells on the oral or genital mucous membranes and even other parts of the skin.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

This disease is caused by Chlamydia, gonorrhea and other STDs. An untreated PID can cause scars in the reproductive organs which can lead to tubal-factor infertility due to infection.

Pelvic Tuberculosis

Sometimes tuberculosis can spread to other parts of the body such as the uterus and fallopian tubes. This condition is known as pelvic tuberculosis and it hampers the fertility by causing problems in the fallopian tubes.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

UTI is very common in women due to their shorter urinary tract. UTI can affect organs such as the uterus, bladder, kidney. If one experiences frequent UTIs, then it may get difficult to conceive due to associated pelvic inflammation which can cause scarring in the fallopian tubes or affect the ovulation process.