Can STDs cause infertility in men and women?

Roughly 26 million Americans are diagnosed with a new STD each year. Some STDs cause no symptoms, so the true prevalence of STDs is likely even higher (Kreisel, 2021). 

And if you’ve ever been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease—or if you haven’t, but you have fertility concerns—you may ask yourself: Can STDs cause infertility?

The answer is yes; in some cases, STDs—often referred to as sexually transmitted infections or STIs—can affect your ability to have children. While STDs can cause infertility in males, they often pose a greater threat to a woman’s fertility, especially when left untreated (Tsevat, 2018).

Let’s take a closer look at STDs and their effects on fertility. 

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Several STDs can cause fertility challenges in men and women. In some cases, STDs reduce fertility and make it more challenging—but not impossible—to have children. In other cases, they can cause complete and permanent infertility (Souho, 2015). 

With that said, if you currently have an STD, that does not necessarily mean that you are, or will become, infertile. Still, if you’re sexually active, it’s wise to ask your healthcare provider if you would benefit from regular STD screenings. Some sexually transmitted infections don’t cause symptoms and can only be detected through a urine or blood test (Workowski, 2015). 

Experts have firmly established the links between certain STDs and infertility. Meanwhile, the research tying some other STDs to fertility problems is more speculative or controversial. 

The STDs that can cause fertility challenges include:

Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis)

Chlamydia is one of the most common STDs in the United States. It affects nearly two million people each year. However, most cases of chlamydia do not produce symptoms, so they often go undetected (Tsevat, 2018). 

When chlamydia does cause symptoms, these may include (Mohseni, 2021):

• Vaginal or urethra discharge

• Vaginal bleeding

• Abdominal pain

• Pain during urination

• Nausea or vomiting

• Fevers

• Chills

• Testicle pain or tenderness

• Swollen epididymis

While there’s some research linking chlamydia infections to fertility issues in men, those links are uncertain (Fode, 2016). Untreated, up to 30% of women with chlamydia may develop an infection called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can cause irreversible fallopian tube damage and infertility (Tsevat, 2018). 

Gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae)

Like chlamydia, gonorrhea is common and often asymptomatic—especially in women. And like chlamydia, gonorrhea can cause infertility by harming a woman’s fallopian tubes (Tsevat, 2018). In rare cases, it can cause an inflammatory syndrome that can lead to infertility in men and women (Springer, 2021).  

When gonorrhea produces symptoms, they include (Springer, 2021): 

• Vaginal discharge

• Pain while peeing

• Abdominal pain or genital tract pain

• Pus discharge from the penis

• Testicle pain or discomfort  

• Penis swelling or inflammation

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend sexually active women younger than 25, and older women with new or multiple sex partners, get screened for chlamydia and gonorrhea (CDC, 2021).

The two STDs mentioned above are some of the most common in the U.S., and both are solidly linked with infertility. 

When it comes to other STDs, a lot of the infertility research is shaky or controversial. For example, some work has found that the STD trichomoniasis, also known as T. vaginalis, may cause upper genital tract inflammation and other problems that are associated with reduced fertility. However, there are no strong direct links between this STD and infertility (Tsevat, 2018). 

There’s also some evidence that dual STD infections, such as trichomoniasis and HIV or herpes, may lead to fertility problems (Tsevat, 2018). Some work has also found that human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with fertility challenges (Souho, 2015). Finally, a common but not well-known STD known as Mycoplasma genitalium (or Mgen) also has some preliminary research tying it to fertility concerns (Tsevat, 2018). 

But again, the relationship between these STDs and infertility is weak.

Most STDs affect female fertility by interfering with the health of the fallopian tubes, which carry fertilized eggs from the ovaries to the uterus (Tsevat, 2018). 

Specifically, several STDs—including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and Mgen—can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and salpingitis, which is an infection and inflammation of the fallopian tubes. These inflammatory conditions can cause permanent damage and dysfunction to a woman’s reproductive organs and seem to be the most common causes of STD-related infertility in women. 

There’s also evidence that STDs and the inflammation they cause may damage other reproductive organs or structures, including the uterus and cervix. STDs may also induce shifts in the bacterial makeup of the vagina—a.k.a., the vaginal microbiome—in ways that may contribute to fertility problems (Tsevat, 2018). 

Regarding male fertility, STDs can interfere with the production, transport, or general health of sperm. However, fertility problems related to STDs seem to be far less common in men than in women (Fode, 2016). 

Yes, if you are pregnant, sexually transmitted infections can put you and your baby at risk for preterm delivery, low birth weight, or infant death or illness. In some cases, infants can be born with the STD (Williams, 2019). 

Because of these risks, many pregnant women are screened for STDs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and some other health organizations recommend that all pregnant women be tested for syphilis. Testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and some other STDs is also recommended for certain at-risk groups of women like those who are over 25 and have a new sexual partner (Williams, 2019).    

It’s unclear how many people are affected by STD-related infertility. But it’s a fact that STDs can in some cases cause or contribute to fertility problems (Tsevat, 2018). Practicing safe sex during any kind of sexual contact, and undergoing routine screenings based on the advice of your healthcare provider, can help to prevent STDs and the fertility issues that may accompany them (Fehring, 2018). 

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Current version

December 15, 2021

Written by

Health Guide Team

Fact checked by

Felix Gussone, MD

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About the medical reviewer

Felix Gussone, MD, Ro

Felix Gussone is a physician, health journalist and a Manager, Medical Content & Education at Ro.