Chlamydia is one of the more common types of diseases transmitted through sexual intercourse. The condition is caused by a specific bacterium known as Chlamydia trachomatis. The sexually transmitted infection is prevalent among both men and women. A total of 577,644 new cases of the Chlamydia infection were reported in 2017 among men. This data accounts for the male population in the United States. Studies have found that Chlamydia could cause male infertility. These studies confirm that men with Chlamydia are less likely to reproduce successfully, compared to healthy men.
Study Links Chlamydia To Male Infertility
A study conducted in 2019 by researchers at the Queensland University of Technology provided evidence of a connection between male infertility and the Chlamydia bacterial infection.
It has been known that the Chlamydia bacteria can infect various parts of the male body. One particular part of the interest in this study was the testicles.
There were 18 donors part of the study. A testicular biopsy was taken from all the male participants in the study. Researchers found Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria present in 12 of these testicular biopsies that were taken.
All these cases accounted for men who had not been diagnosed with Chlamydia in the past. The male patients also had no obvious signs of this sexually transmitted infection previously.
The men tested in the study had no obvious physical cause behind infertility they suffered. In the same study, previously obtained testicular biopsies were tested. A total of 95 male participants had biopsies taken from them. The Chlamydia bacteria were detected in 45.3% of these biopsies too.
The Problem With Chlamydia In The Male Population
With this study in mind, there is an urgency for men to get tested for Chlamydia. The current major issue with this bacterial infection is that it seems to be asymptomatic in a large number of men exposed to the disease.
Among men who are exposed to the bacteria that cause Chlamydia, about 50% will remain asymptomatic. This means that at least half of the infected men will not experience symptoms that signal the presence of the infection. This leaves an opportunity for Chlamydia to cause complications and harm in the male body. Untreated Chlamydia has now also been shown to have a role to play in the reproductive health of men.
Male Infertility is More Common Due to STD
A recent study has confirmed a link between male fertility problems and exposure to the Chlamydia infection. This is a common sexually transmitted infection. In half of the men, no symptoms will develop once exposed to the bacteria. This leads to complications due to insufficient treatment. Men are advised to undergo testing for Chlamydia frequently if they are sexually active with more than a single partner.
References
https://medlineplus.gov/chlamydiainfections.html
https://www.cdc.gov/std/stats17/chlamydia.htm
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191009093946.htm