Few research suggests that the herpes virus, may cause fertility problems in men. Image by: Freedigitalphotos.net

Nowadays, many couples have difficulties conceiving. It may involve both partners, and may be attributable to various reasons. Few of the main causes of male infertility includes abnormal sperm production or function, problems with the delivery of sperm, overexposure to certain chemicals and toxins and damage related to cancer and its treatment, whereas causes of female infertility include ovulation disorders, uterine or cervical abnormalities, thyroid problems, cancer and its treatment and more [1].

Well, apparently those aren’t the only reasons for infertility.

Few research suggests that the herpes virus, especially (HSV-2), which normally causes genital herpes, may cause fertility problems in men.

These studies stated that infertility may be caused either by directly invading the male genital tract cells, or by indirectly causing local inflammatory or immunological response that could worsen reproductive functions [2-3].

The bottom line is that HSV may make it harder for a couple to conceive.

So here is some advice for women with herpes: try to conceive during your ovulating period and only when you aren’t having an outbreak, that is, when symptoms are not evident. And anyway, if you and your partner are witnessing difficulties to conceive, it is important you consult your doctor.
References:
1. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/infertility/basics/causes/con-20034770
2. Seyed Hamidreza Monavari,a, Mostafa Salehi Vaziri,b Mohammadali Khalili,c Mahmoud Shamsi-Shahrabadi,b Hossein Keyvani,b Hamidreza Mollaei,b and Mehdi Fazlalipourb “Asymptomatic seminal infection of herpes simplex virus: impact on male infertility.” The Journal of Biomedical Research. Published Online in 2012.
3. el Borai N1, Inoue M, Lefèvre C, Naumova EN, Sato B, Yamamura M. “Detection of herpes simplex DNA in semen and menstrual blood of individuals attending an infertility clinic.” Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research. Published in February 1997.