HPV infection may impact male sperm motility and fertility

Medical experts are highlighting the impact of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) on reproductive health, noting that recent studies suggest men with HPV detected in their semen may experience reduced sperm motility and a lower proportion of normal sperm morphology. While HPV infection in men does not automatically equate to infertility, it is a factor that warrants consideration during fertility assessments.

For women, the primary concern remains the risk of high-risk HPV strains causing cervical lesions. While there is currently insufficient evidence to suggest that HPV infection causes decreased ovarian function or permanent infertility, treatments for advanced precancerous lesions, such as cervical conization, may increase the risk of preterm birth in future pregnancies.

Healthcare providers emphasize that HPV prevention should be a shared responsibility between partners. In Taiwan, public HPV vaccination coverage for junior high school students will expand to include boys starting in September 2025. Experts also warn that other sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and tubal blockages, directly impacting fertility.

Regarding pregnancy planning, doctors state that the HPV vaccine is an inactivated vaccine and does not require women to delay pregnancy. If a woman is already pregnant, remaining doses can be completed postpartum.