Mumps is an infectious virus that causes swollen and painful cheeks. It typically affects one or both salivary glands located in the upper neck (i.e.) beneath the ears. This disease can easily spread from person to person when there is contact between sick and healthy people.
It can occur at people of any age particularly at children and teenagers with low immune systems. When the symptoms are severe, there may be a chance for dangerous complications, including male infertility. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll delve into the discussion of mumps and male reproductive health.
Mumps and Its Impact on Male Reproductive Health
Mumps is a contagious viral disease that sometimes affects the major glands in the body, like the nervous system and the testicles. The primary complication associated with this virus is testicular inflammation. It is medically termed as orchitis, causing infection in adults or boys. Let’s see how both are inter-related with it.
How Mumps Affect Male Fertility?
As mentioned earlier, mumps usually affect the salivary glands but it might cause infection in testicles. Unfortunately, it affects both the testicles for 1 in 6 men resulting in male infertility.
Within a week of infection, men with mumps can visibly notice the swell and pain in testicles. It also leads to decrease in sperm count and testicle size. The causes gradually contribute to sub-fertility, which prevents people from conceiving naturally.
Mumps and Orchitis: A Leading Cause of Male Infertility
Mumps and orchitis are the common cause of male infertility, but it rarely occurs:
Mumps is a viral disease that gradually leads to testicular inflammation, medically called orchitis. The swelling causes intense pain and turns the skin red in color indicating infection. The pain may disappear within 5 days or one week but the testicle size can be reduced.
Orchitis commonly occurs in men, especially in adults or who have gone through puberty. The symptoms of testicle infection can be noted in the first week of contracting mumps. The causes of male infertility are not completely due to mumps, but doctor’s state that anti-sperm antibodies may also be a significant factor.
Risk Factors for Male Infertility Due to Mumps
Mumps can cause male infertility in 20 to 30% of affected men through orchitis. Here are some common risk factors such people will undergo:
Reduced Sperm Count and Testicles Size: Nearly 50% of men who experience orchitis can witness a drop in sperm count and testicles size or shrinkage. About 1 in 6 men has been infected with both the testicles.
Anti-sperm Antibodies: Anti-sperm antibodies may negatively influence the fertility in half of all affected males. Doctors suggest that this is one of the reasons behind male infertility in causes of orchitis.
Damage Seminiferous Tubules: Seminiferous tubules are situated in the testicles, responsible for producing sperm. Mumps causes orchitis, this inflammation damages the tubules and makes it unable to produce required sperm count. It may lead to infertility in male with orchitis.
Symptoms of Mumps-Related Infertility in Males
Mumps-related infertility is primarily caused by testicular inflammation with the following symptoms:
Swollen and Painful Testicles: A person with severe orchitis can experience sudden pain and swelling in one or both the testicles. Along with pain, it will also cause warmth and tenderness.
Shrinkage and Reduced Sperm Count: Within a week of causes, the pain and swelling will be gradually reduced. After that you can witness a decrease in testicles size and sperm count.
Signs and Symptoms of Orchitis After Mumps
Orchitis is a result of mumps that causes several symptoms in your body such as:
- Pain can range from mild to severe
- Swelling in one or both the testicles
- Testicles may also feel warm and tender
- Pain or discomfort while chewing and swallowing
Other common symptoms include:
- A dry mouth
- Fever
- Pain the sides of the face
- Pain in joints
- Headache
Treatment for Male Infertility Due to Mumps
Complications of mumps are dangerous and need immediate medication and treatment to stop spreading all over the organs. They may leave a long-lasting complication in boys and adults, including infertility. Here is a list of available treatment options.
Medical Treatment Options for Mumps-Induced Infertility
The inflammation of testicles due to orchitis causes infertility in many males. If you are experiencing any of the above mumps symptoms, consult the doctor immediately. Based on the severity, they suggest any of the following treatments:
Hormonal Treatments for Infertility
Hormonal therapies are performed to treat mumps-related infertility. These treatment options can help improve the production of sperm count and regulate the hormonal levels:
Testosterone Replacement Therapy: Orchitis inflammation caused after mumps can negatively influence the testosterone levels in your body. With this replacement therapy, we can restore hormonal balance and improve sperm production. During the procedure, the testosterone levels should be closely monitored to avoid overtreatment.
hCG (Human Chronic Gonadotropin): The primary purpose of this treatment is to induce the testosterone levels. hCG encourages the naturally occurring hormone, LH, which is responsible for testosterone production in your body. This treatment is often used with FSH for better results.
FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone): FSH directly induces sperm production in the seminiferous tubules. Orchitis, in its severe case, impacts your tubules and slows down the sperm count. FSH is typically used to achieve a more balanced hormonal environment and normalize sperm production.
Surgical Options for Mumps-Related Infertility
In some cases, doctors recommend the below surgical options to cure the mumps-related infertility. It helps resolve the underlying causes that contribute to fertility issues:
Varicocele Repair: The enlarged veins in the scrotum resist the blood flow to the testicles and cause pain and shrinkage. Through this surgical treatment, it can either be ligated or surgically removed. Improving blood flow to the testicles can encourage sperm production and testicular function.
Testicular Biopsy: Any damages caused in the seminiferous tubules potentially affect the sperm production. During this treatment, a small sample of testicular tissue is collected for examination. Based on the result of the biopsy, the doctors will guide further treatment.
Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) for Mumps-Induced Infertility
The natural conception is impossible in some cases for males after mumps-induced inflammation. So that doctors are using assisted reproductive technologies (ART) as a viable option to resolve this trouble. Based on your health condition, this technique involves fusing sperm and eggs outside the body to create embryos, and then it is transferred to the uterus of a woman.
Following are the methods used:
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): This is the same as natural fertilization which involves injecting a sperm into an egg. ICSI is effective in case a male has poor sperm quality and motility.
In vitro Fertilization (IVF): It is a versatile technique that involves multiple steps. Eggs from the ovaries are collected and fertilized with sperm in a laboratory setting. Once they are fused together, the embryos are transferred back into the uterus.
Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET): The frozen embryos created through ICSI or IVF are injected into the uterus. The success rate of this procedure depends upon the quality of frozen embryos and the recipient’s health.
Lifestyle and Home Remedies to Support Male Fertility After Mumps
Beyond medical treatments, a healthy lifestyle plays a crucial role in improving male fertility after mumps. Here are some tips:
Healthy Diet: Consume healthy foods and vegetables rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants such as healthy fats, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains. Drink plenty of water to improve overall health.
Regular Exercise: Engage yourself in regular physical activity to regulate the blood circulation and maintain a healthy weight. It improves reproductive function and makes your body healthier.
Stress Management: Stress is a cause of several diseases, and it makes your problem double. Practice stress-management techniques like deep breathing, yoga, and meditation. It also ensures quality sleep and supports hormone balance.
Avoid Over Heat: Reduce yourself from exposing heat, such as prolonged sitting with your laptop, saunas, or hot tubs. Drink at least 3 liters of water a day, as these can support reproductive function.
How the MMR Vaccine Prevents Mumps and Infertility
The MMR vaccine helps patients fight against the mumps and its complications. It encourages the antibodies to let out the virus that causes mumps in the future. MMR is a combination of mumps, rubella, and measles viruses.
After receiving this vaccination, your body’s immune system will be boosted to fight against the viruses. It can actively prevent fever and swollen glands beneath the ears. The vaccine is highly effective and causes no severe side effects.
When to Consult a Doctor for Mumps and Potential Infertility
If you are diagnosed with mumps-induced orchitis, the risk of infertility is likely to be low. However, there is a possibility of being affected if you’re not vaccinated. It is advisable to consult a doctor and take appropriate treatment to avoid further risk factors.
Final Wordings
Not all the cases result in testicular inflammation, but there is a chance. If you are diagnosed with mumps, give an immediate visit to your doctor. The risk of fertility is reduced, and your health can be improved shortly. Vaccines are one of the easiest ways to keep yourself on the safer side. Being aware of this infection prevents you from all kinds of troubles.
Nearly half of all affected males after mumps face orchitis inflammation, resulting in shrinkage of their testicles and a decrease in sperm count. There is no proof that it will surely lead to infertility, but there is a chance. Taking early medications and treatment can save you from such costly causes.
Orchitis is an inflammation that occurs due to viral infection like mumps. The severe stage of this condition may lead to permanent damage to seminiferous tubules, located inside the testicles. It is responsible for improving the sperm count in male fertility. When it is affected, you may experience fertility related troubles.
Due to these factors, a person may be highly susceptible to mumps.
- Age
- Severity of orchitis
- Genetic factors
- Any previous testicular injury or infection
- Lack of vaccination
Mumps can cause infertility in males through orchitis inflammation, which can be identified with the following symptoms.
- Shrinkage of the testicles
- Redness of the scrotal skin
- Immense pain
- Swelling of the scrotum
If you are experiencing these symptoms, then it is essential to visit a doctor immediately. The common signs and symptoms that you will experience after a mumps infection, such as:
- Pain, tenderness, or swelling in the testicles
- Fever
- Scrotal redness
- Flu-like symptoms in the body
