Sexually transmitted infections and impact on male fertility

Abstract

Microorganisms residing in the male or female genital tracts cause sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and are generally transmitted through unprotected intercourse or other sexual acts. The increasing prevalence of STIs as a whole, and curable STIs in particular, has become a global challenge. A total of 498.9 million cases of curable STIs were reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2008 compared to 448.3 million in 2005 indicating an 11.3 % increase in the incidence rate (Fig. 11.1) (WHO 2008).