Male Infertility A child of my own - Andrology Australia

How do sexually transmitted infectionsaffect fertility?Sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhoeaand chlamydia, can damage or block the epididymisso that sperm cannot pass from the testis into theejaculate. Because the testis only contributes a smallpart to the ejaculate, these blockages do not obviouslychange the amount of fluid ejaculated but no spermwill be found in the ejaculate (azoospermia).What is epididymo-orchitis?Epididymo-orchitis is caused by viral or bacterialinfections of the testes and epididymis. Pain andswelling usually last for several days. Epididymoorchitissometimes happens with urinary tractinfections and can cause permanent blockages andtesticular damage but this is rare. Early treatmentwith antibiotics is recommended to preventtesticular damage becoming too severe.How do prostate infections cause infertility?Infections of the prostate can cause swelling andblock off part of the reproductive tract that passesthrough the prostate. This can also stop spermfrom being ejaculated.Because the prostate and seminal vesicles contributemost of the fluid to the ejaculate, blockage nearthe prostate can sometimes reduce the volume ofejaculate. Infections of the prostate and seminalMALE INFERTILITY 73