Condition & Treatments
/ Chronic infections
Hidden infection: a treatable cause of poor sperm quality
Long-standing infection or inflammation of the prostate, seminal vesicles or epididymis can damage sperm, often with few or no symptoms. It is easily missed, but once found it can usually be treated
I N S H O R T
Infection can lower sperm movement, damage sperm DNA and cause white blood cells in the semen.
Many men have no symptoms. Others notice pelvic or testicular discomfort, painful ejaculation or blood in the semen.
Targeted antibiotics, chosen from test results, can clear the infection and allow sperm to recover.
Signs
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White blood cells in the semen (leukocytospermia).
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Discomfort in the pelvis, perineum or testes, or pain on ejaculation.
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Blood in the semen, or a past sexually transmitted infection.
Scrotal ultrasound, to look for epididymal inflammation.
Treatment options
Targeted antibiotics, chosen according to the bacteria found.
Anti-inflammatory treatment, to settle inflammation.
Frequent ejaculation, which helps clear the glands.
Treating your partner, where a sexually transmitted infection is found.
Why this matters to your care
Prof Raheem has published research on transrectal ultrasound for diagnosing chronic infection of the prostate and seminal vesicles in infertile men, so hidden infection is looked for, not missed.
I have no symptoms. Could I still have an infection?
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Yes. Many chronic infections affecting sperm cause no obvious symptoms.
Does my partner need treatment?
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If a sexually transmitted infection is found, yes.
How soon will sperm improve?
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Usually around three months after the infection is cleared
Prof Raheem's published work on this topic
Value of transrectal ultrasound in the diagnosis of chronic prostatovesiculitis in infertile men. Medical Journal of Cairo University, 2015. Link