Consequences of mumps in men - what is the probability of infertility?

Mumps affects not only little boys, but also adult men. The risk that an adult will get sick with mumps is 70%. Men get mumps more often than women. This infectious disease causes an increase in the salivary gland, but also affects other organs. It is difficult to predict which organ will be attacked by mumps, and the consequences of the disease will make themselves felt only after a few years. The most dangerous consequence is infertility after mumps. However, doctors say that even boys who have been ill at an early age can have children in the future.

Why is mumps dangerous for men?

Mumps (mumps) in men causes a temperature of up to 39 degrees, causes headaches, provokes nausea and vomiting. In an adult, signs of mumps are noticeable by external factors: swollen cheek and neck, protruding ear.

The salivary glands are affected: sublingual, parotid and submandibular. On the 5th day, the affected gland enlarges, and on the 10th, the disappearance of the tumor is noticeable. Saliva is not properly produced, there is a strong dryness in the oral cavity. The mucous membrane of the mouth becomes more vulnerable and sensitive to microbes, saliva does not perform its functions.

You can become infected with mumps when in contact with any objects of the patient (toys, dishes, hygiene products).

The virus is first absorbed more comfortably in the human body, looking for the right organ for infection. Sometimes it can relocate to the male testicles, which is likely to deprive the egg of the ability to fertilize the egg in the future. This type of complication is called orchitis.

Women may have a similar problem. The virus infects the female ovary, taking away the opportunity to conceive a child. This disease is called oophoritis. Unfortunately, the symptoms in this case may not always appear. Ultimately, years later, it will become known that it is impossible to get pregnant.

Complications and consequences

The mumps virus has a predilection for glandular tissue. Most likely, he will settle in the testicles or pancreas. Then an adult man begins to feel pain in the scrotum. Then the egg begins to swell and increase. When walking, it becomes uncomfortable, there are pains in the groin and lower back.

In the presence of pancreatitis and inflammation of the pancreas, there are severe pains in the upper abdomen. In the future, all this is accompanied by another vomiting and diarrhea.

When the process is not expressed in the salivary gland, inflammation of the membranes or a severe brain disease can develop - mumps meningitis, meningoencephalitis. With such serious symptoms, it is simply necessary to hospitalize the patient.

The virus can also affect the organs of hearing and vision. In the first case, persistent deafness occurs. The second involves atrophy of the optic nerve. Sometimes it’s even strange that such a funny name of a disease refers to a dangerous virus that can seriously harm the human body.

Probability of infertility after mumps

A mumps attack on male testicles manifests itself outwardly: swelling, redness and an increase in size. Orchitis first affects one testicle, but after a while affects the other. Simultaneous defeat of two testicles is almost impossible. Boys have similar symptoms.

To relieve acute pain, the doctor may prescribe analgesic injections. To remove the tumor in order to avoid future infertility, they resort to hormonal treatment. Sometimes operations are performed to excise the testicular membrane, but extremely rarely. To prevent another infection, you should take antibacterial drugs. Orchitis is often the only sign of the presence of mumps.

If this disease is not treated on time, the risks that infertility will overtake a man are quite high.

Mumps, unlike other infectious diseases, does not show symptoms as actively. Therefore, many patients do not resort to treatment immediately, but only after they have noticed their failure in conceiving a child.

For diagnosis, a spermogram will be needed from the patient. In the seminal fluid, poor sperm activity is detected. Low semen activity may be associated with a reduced sperm count. They are simply not enough for the full fertilization of the egg.

Also, men with mumps are advised to do an ultrasound of the scrotum. Thus, it turns out to reveal a necrotic tissue site and testicular atrophy. During the diagnostic process, neoplasms can be detected, after which a biopsy is prescribed. To confirm or exclude the presence of oncological complications, tissues are collected and examined in the laboratory.

Can a man have children?

Men who have been ill with mumps in adulthood are worried that they will not be able to have children in the future. Indeed, infertility after mumps is the most common complication.If the issue of treatment is approached responsibly, then it is really possible to defeat the disease and cope with infertility. A man who has been ill with mumps is prescribed the following treatment complex:

• Preparations with hormones - Fortinex, Tamoxifen, Menotropin;
• Immune system stimulants - infusions of radiola, ginseng, aralia;
• Medications to increase potency - Adriol, Khimkolin;
• Preparations of natural composition - Raveron, Solcoseryl.

If, after classical therapy or surgery, the effect of fertilization is still negative, you can resort to selective selection of active spermatozoa. In the absence of treatment, not only infertility is found, but also impotence, inflammation and tumors. Therefore, therapeutic treatment that is aimed at stimulating spermatogenesis cannot be neglected.