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Sexually Transmitted Infections

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Men's Sexual Health and Fertility

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Abstract

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common, with known complications in pregnancy such as miscarriage, preterm labor, stillbirth, and neonatal complications. Pelvic inflammatory disease is associated with female tubal infertility. The effect of these infections on male fertility is less clear. When investigating fertility issues in couples, taking the opportunity to screen and treat any STIs seems logical. Diagnosing any infection prior to conception will remove or limit any potential adverse affect on the ultimate aim, the healthy child. Another important factor directly affecting conception is sexual function. Men with erectile dysfunction tend to have problems with penetrative sex. Addressing any psychological impact of sexual infections on sexual functioning may alleviate these symptoms. In this chapter we discuss infections due to the following organisms in relation to male fertility: HIV, Herpes Simplex Virus Type I and II, Human Papillomavirus, Trichomonas, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, and Chlamydia. We also review urethritis, epididymitis, orchitis, and prostatitis and the evidence of any link with male infertility.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Genitourinary Medicine, Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust, Marson, UK

    Claire Brookings

  2. Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Paddington, London, UK

    David Goldmeier

  3. Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Hackensack University Medical Center, 20 Prospect Avenue, #711, Hackensack, NJ, 07021, USA

    Hossein Sadeghi-Nejad

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  1. Claire Brookings
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Correspondence to Hossein Sadeghi-Nejad .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA

    John P. Mulhall

  2. Department of Urology, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland Medical Center, Oakland, California, USA

    Wayland Hsiao

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Brookings, C., Goldmeier, D., Sadeghi-Nejad, H. (2014). Sexually Transmitted Infections. In: Mulhall, J., Hsiao, W. (eds) Men's Sexual Health and Fertility. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0425-9_5

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