Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as Gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis, warts… these little nasty’s can not only be painful, but some of them can affect your fertility. STIs, especially untreated gonorrhoea and chlamydia, can cause blockages in the sperm tubes so that sperm can’t move on from the testicles (where they are produced) and into the semen and ejaculated. Surgery to fix the blocked tubes isn’t always possible. STIs can cause fertility problems in women so getting treatment can also stop the spread of disease to a female sexual partner.
The prostate sits underneath the bladder and adds fluid to protect sperm on their journey through the reproductive system. Infections of the prostate, known as prostatitis, can cause pain in the abdomen and fever. As the sperm move through the prostate into the urethra, swelling of the prostate may stop sperm from passing through the reproductive system.
Mumps is a viral infection that can be caught by anyone at any age, but it’s much more dangerous for adult men. The mumps virus can totally destroy the tubes that make sperm and permanently stop sperm production.