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Hepatitis B is one of the health problems in the world until now. The data shows that currently millions of people have or are currently suffering from the hepatitis B virus. The impact of hepatitis B is not only bad for liver health, but also on male fertility. How can hepatitis B make a man infertile?

How does the hepatitis B virus cause a man to be infertile?

When the hepatitis B virus attacks the liver (liver), various symptoms will occur immediately. For example, common hepatitis B symptoms are fever, feeling nauseous, vomiting, and yellowing of the skin and eyes.

Even so, not many know if the impact of hepatitis B can attack male fertility. However, not many people know that the hepatitis B virus can also attack sperm cells and male reproductive organs.

Damage the place where energy is made in the sperm cells

Just like other body cells, sperm cells also need energy to enable them to swim and move quickly. As soon as the virus enters the body, the virus will immediately destroy the energy-making site in the cell.

This makes sperm no longer get enough energy to move to reach the egg, so that the chances of fertilization are getting smaller.

Trigger sperm cell death

Some studies suggest that hepatitis B's impact on the male reproductive system can trigger sperm cells to self-destruct and then die. Experts suspect this can happen because the hepatitis B virus can cause free radicals, which can then damage sperm cells.

Impact of hepatitis B on sperm

The impact of hepatitis B on sperm can be seen from several things, namely:

Semen volume

In one ejaculation, the minimum volume of normal semen is 1.5 milliliters. Hepatitis B infection can decrease the volume of this seminal fluid, thus interfering with the optimal reproductive process.

Semen has various enzymes that play a role in helping sperm to fertilize an egg. So if the volume of this fluid decreases, the chance for conception is getting smaller.

Sperm cell count

Hepatitis B virus infection can make sperm cells die. This will certainly reduce the number of sperm cells that men can produce during ejaculation. As a result, the possibility of fertilization with an egg is also reduced.

Sperm cell resistance

Sperm cells ideally have long enough to survive. This ability is designed so that sperm can live a long time, so that it can fertilize an egg. However, this hepatitis virus produces toxins which ultimately reduce sperm's ability.

Sperm form

Hepatitis B virus infection can also affect the normal shape of sperm cells, one of which is the result of the sperm gene being damaged by the hepatitis virus. In fact, the shape of the sperm has been designed in such a way as to be able to move swiftly and survive until conception occurs.

For those of you men of childbearing age who have or are currently infected with hepatitis B, don't worry too much. Not all men who have hepatitis B will become infertile.

The human body is created so sophisticated that it has multiple layers of defense against foreign germs. You can also offset the negative effects of hepatitis B infection by increasing your immune system, for example by exercising and eating nutritious foods.