Maternal health and fertility experts have warned men against self-medication for sexually transmitted infections, cautioning that untreated gonorrhoea and syphilis can cause severe and irreversible damage to the male reproductive system, including infertility.
The specialists said the infections, when left untreated or poorly managed, can spread to the male genital tract and destroy the cells responsible for producing sperm, potentially leading to low sperm count or a complete absence of sperm.
They also noted that affected men may develop complications such as testicular infections, as well as joint, skin and eye problems.
Experts who spoke with PUNCH Healthwise added that untreated STIs often have long-term consequences, warning that damage to the reproductive organs may become permanent if medical care is delayed.
HIV can worsen reproductive health through opportunistic infections
A Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Director of Research at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, Prof. Oliver Ezechi, explained that untreated HIV weakens the immune system and exposes individuals to opportunistic infections capable of damaging major organs, including sperm-producing organs.
“If somebody has HIV and is not treated, opportunistic infections will set in,” Ezechi said, noting that weakened immunity allows infections that would normally be harmless to begin affecting the body, including the genital tract.
He added that once the genital tract is affected, sperm count may drop significantly.
“Untreated gonorrhoea and syphilis can destroy sperm-producing cells. If the damage is mild, it may result in low sperm count, but if severe and irreversible, it can lead to infertility,” he said.
Other factors linked to low sperm count
Ezechi also identified undescended testes, congenital abnormalities, and certain occupations as additional causes of low sperm count.
He noted that long-distance drivers may face fertility risks due to prolonged heat exposure from vehicle engines, which can negatively affect sperm quality.
The professor urged men with fertility concerns to seek professional medical help instead of resorting to self-medication, warning that improper treatment could worsen their condition. He also advised against risky lifestyle habits such as excessive alcohol intake.
Different causes require different treatments
Also speaking, an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Dr. Labaran Aliyu, said low sperm count has multiple causes and requires proper diagnosis.
He explained that in some cases, a man may produce sperm but be unable to release it due to blocked seminal ducts, a condition that may require surgery.
In other cases, the problem may stem from poor sperm production due to non-functional testicles, which would require a different medical approach.
Aliyu added that men whose testicles fail to descend into the scrotum may also struggle with sperm production because the environment outside the scrotum is not suitable for producing sperm cells.
Low sperm count linked to wider health risks
Meanwhile, researchers cited in a report published by Science Daily said low sperm count may not only indicate fertility problems but could also be linked to broader health issues.
A study involving 5,177 men found that low sperm count may be a marker of overall health, with researchers reporting increased risks of low testosterone, metabolic issues, cardiovascular risk and low bone mass.
The study’s lead investigator, Dr. Alberto Ferlin of the University of Brescia, Italy, said fertility checks may provide men with an opportunity for early detection of other health problems and preventive care.
