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illness
There are a number of general illnesses and diseases, which can
interfere with the production of healthy sperm. Given that the
process of sperm production takes approximately 3 months, the
effect of diseases or illnesses is temporary in some cases in which
case normal sperm function resumes in time. Untreated infections
can cause structural damage or reduce the production of healthy
sperm. Fever and the use of some medications can also negatively
affect male fertility.
illness
Reduced fertility can also be an unfortunate side effect of many
health conditions or diseases, including diabetes, cystic fibrosis
and mumps. All diseases that are associated with an extended period
of high fever can also lower sperm production. In general, however,
the effects of fever are temporary in nature.
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urinary tract infection
Urinary tract infections are generally characterised by a stabbing
pain during urination. Their cause and treatment is the same as for
epididymitis. These diseases can be treated with antibiotics but,
in conjunction with possible fever, can also have a negative effect
on the sperm. This effect is often temporary.
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sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
The risk of reduced fertility as a result of a STD is high, as
appeared to be the case with epididymitis, but at least men in
contrast to women more often have the “advantage” of being aware of
symptoms so that treatment can be given. (Many STDs, such as
gonorrhoea, frequently cause no symptoms at all in women.) Some
infections can be resistant to drugs and treatment can take longer
than expected. Many men can also have STDs with no noticeable
symptoms (asymptomatic), such as chlamydia, ureaplasma or
mycoplasma, which may or may not impact the fertility of the man.
However treatment is essential as these diseases can obviously have
a profound effect on the fertility of the female partner. Back to top
epididymitis
This is an infection that can interfere with the function of the
epididymis (where the sperm are stored) and therefore with the
production of healthy sperm. In the case of epididymitis, the
testicles can swell up due to the infection, which often causes
pain. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are the most frequent
causes of infections of the epididymis. A bacterial infection can
usually be cured with antibiotics, yet sperm production may be
permanently damaged. Mumps related orchitis occasionally occurs in
young boys. This is an inflammation of the epididymis caused by the
mumps virus. This can lead to fertility disturbances due to
abnormal sperm later in life.
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serious illnesses
Serious illnesses, such as cancer, can have an enormous effect
on many aspects of life, including fertility: - Chemotherapy and radiation treatment can damage or destroy the
cells in the reproductive system.
- Sterility is a side effect of many drugs used to treat
cancer.
- To treat the cancer it may be necessary to remove some of the
reproductive organs, which will result in a damaged reproductive
system.
On a more positive note, doctors and the medical establishment
as a whole increasingly are aware of cancer patients’ desire to
preserve their fertility. Many cancer patients arrange for sperm
collection ahead of treatment. The sample can then be frozen until
needed (cryopreservation). Back to top
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