Yes, chlamydia harms men as well as women

One in ten young men in the UK have a sexually transmitted disease that could seriously reduce their chances of fathering children.

Male infections with chlamydia are rising alarmingly. Between 2001 and 2002, the number of diagnoses increased by 16 per cent. Scientists have known for some time that the disease could damage female fertility but new research suggests it could have a similar effect on men.

In the journal Human Reproduction, researchers from Sweden's Umea University reported on their research that male infection with chlamydia could reduce a couple's chance of having a baby by around a third. They say this was not because the man passed the infection on to the woman but because of something happening to the male sperm itself.

Professor Jan Olofsson told the BBC that it was not clear what effect chlamydia had on men, but that 'It is possible that decreased sperm motility or concurrent or undetected infection may play a role.'

Dr Allan Pacey, a male fertility specialist at Sheffield University and a member of the British Fertility Society, said more research need to be carried out. 'It suggests that chlamydia has quite a subtle effect on sperm that we're unable to detect.'

The Men's Health Forum has been concerned about the rapid rise of chlamydia for some time and is currently running a men and chlamydia project funded by the Department of Health. This latest Swedish research shows that men should be worried about the disease for their own sake as well as their partner's. The solution? We all know the answer to that one. Wear a condom.

The male symptoms of chlamydia, which are pretty unpleasant in themselves, are below. If you're worried, get yourself checked out. There is more about STDs and chlamydia elsewhere on malehealth.

Male symptoms of chlamydia:

• White or cloudy, watery discharge from the tip of the penis
• Pain or a burning sensation when peeing
• Pain and/or swelling in the testicles