{"id":9041,"date":"2026-04-24T14:41:35","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T14:41:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/?p=9041"},"modified":"2026-04-24T14:41:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T14:41:38","slug":"can-herpes-affect-fertility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/can-herpes-affect-fertility\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Herpes affect fertility?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Summary:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>In most cases, Herpes doesn\u2019t affect fertility \u2013 but in rare cases, it can<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>The vast majority of women who have Herpes go on to have successful pregnancies<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>When Herpes affects the fertility of men and women, it usually does so in indirect ways<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>When you start thinking about starting a family, you may not initially be worried about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.com\/en-gb\/help-and-advice\/sexual-health-and-stis\/herpes\"><strong>Herpes<\/strong><\/a>. But it\u2019s a common question we hear at Better2Know \u2013 <em>can Herpes affect fertility<\/em>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Understanding how Herpes affects your body, and when it <em>might<\/em> matter, can help you make informed, confident decisions about your reproductive health. Keep reading to find out more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"752\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-6.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9042\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-6.jpeg 752w, https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-6-300x152.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Lots of STIs can affect your fertility.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/clinics\/book-online\/choose-clinic\">Get tested<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2>What is Herpes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Herpes is a common viral infection caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). There are two main types:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>HSV\u20111<\/strong>: often associated with oral Herpes (cold sores)<\/li><li><strong>HSV\u20112<\/strong>: more commonly linked to genital Herpes<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Both types can affect the mouth or genitals and are usually spread through skin\u2011to\u2011skin contact. Many people with Herpes have <em>no noticeable symptoms<\/em>, which means it\u2019s possible to have the virus without realising it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Can Herpes affect fertility?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In most cases, <strong>Herpes doesn\u2019t affect fertility<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike some STIs like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.com\/en-gb\/help-and-advice\/sexual-health-and-stis\/chlamydia\"><strong>Chlamydia<\/strong><\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.com\/en-gb\/help-and-advice\/sexual-health-and-stis\/gonorrhoea\"><strong>Gonorrhoea<\/strong><\/a>, Herpes doesn\u2019t damage the reproductive organs or interfere with egg or sperm production. This means it doesn\u2019t typically prevent conception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The good news is that, for most people, Herpes <em>doesn\u2019t<\/em> directly affect fertility. In fact, many people booking Herpes tests at Better2Know are doing so as part of proactive family planning. <strong>Over three\u2011quarters (77%) of our patients booking targeted Herpes tests are under 35<\/strong>, right in the prime reproductive years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>In women<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Herpes doesn\u2019t affect a woman\u2019s ability to get pregnant. Unlike bacterial STIs that can damage the fallopian tubes, Herpes is site-specific, meaning it only affects the area where the infection was initially contracted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, Herpes can make conceiving difficult. The fear of passing on the infection, or the discomfort caused by outbreaks, can make having unprotected sex problematic for some people. However, these issues can usually be resolved by both partners educating themselves about Herpes and by the infected party taking antiviral medication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>In men<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Several <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10189155\/\"><strong>studies<\/strong><\/a> have shown that a genital Herpes infection can affect a man\u2019s fertility, reducing the quantity and quality of sperm. The infection of semen with HSV can reduce sperm count, motility, and volume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Can Herpes affect fertility?\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/IoYxiPT2FHI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2>Can a Herpes infection affect a pregnancy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This depends on whether the woman got the infection before or after she got pregnant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If she got Herpes <strong>before pregnancy<\/strong>, there\u2019s a very low risk of transmitting the virus to the baby. Herpes antibodies are passed on to the baby through the placenta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, if she contracted the infection <strong>during pregnancy<\/strong>, the risk of passing it on to the baby is higher since the mother won\u2019t have any pre-existing antibodies to pass on. There will also be a greater risk of an outbreak during delivery. In this situation, a C-section may be necessary to protect the baby from the infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>When should I get tested?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s no single \u201cright\u201d time to test for Herpes. It depends on your circumstances and what you\u2019re planning for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re thinking about starting a family, testing <em>before trying to conceive<\/em> can be a sensible step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s also worth testing if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>You or your partner have had new or multiple sexual partners<\/li><li>You\u2019ve noticed symptoms such as sores, blisters, or unexplained irritation<\/li><li>You\u2019re planning a pregnancy and want reassurance<\/li><li>You\u2019re already pregnant and haven\u2019t been tested before<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Because Herpes often causes no symptoms, testing can provide valuable peace of mind. That\u2019s also why nearly <strong>60% of Better2Know patients choose comprehensive multi\u2011infection panels rather than a single test<\/strong>, ensuring that nothing else is quietly affecting their fertility or long\u2011term health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3>Can you still get herpes if you use condoms every time?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes. Even with correct and consistent use, herpes can still be transmitted through uncovered skin, particularly if one partner carries the virus without symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Is Herpes only contagious when there are visible sores?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No. Herpes can be passed on even when there are no visible symptoms due to asymptomatic viral shedding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Should I get tested for Herpes if I practise safer sex?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many people choose to test for peace of mind, especially because herpes often causes no symptoms and isn\u2019t always included in standard STI screens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Final thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>So, <strong>can Herpes affect fertility?<\/strong> For most people, no. But there are some cases where it can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re thinking about starting a family, comprehensive STI testing can offer clarity, reassurance, and peace of mind, helping you focus on what really matters next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Call our helpful team today to book an STI test at a clinic near you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"752\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-7.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9043\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-7.jpeg 752w, https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-7-300x152.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Don\u2019t leave your sexual health to chance.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/clinics\/book-online\/choose-clinic\">Get tested<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<!-- Simple Share Buttons Adder (8.1.2) simplesharebuttons.com --><div class=\"ssba-classic-2 ssba ssbp-wrap left ssbp--theme-1\"><div style=\"text-align:left\"><span class=\"ssba-share-text\">Share this...<\/span><br\/><a data-site=\"\" class=\"ssba_facebook_share\" href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9041\"  target=\"_blank\" ><img src=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/simple-share-buttons-adder\/buttons\/somacro\/facebook.png\" style=\"width: 35px;\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"ssba ssba-img\" alt=\"Share on Facebook\" \/><div title=\"Facebook\" class=\"ssbp-text\">Facebook<\/div><\/a><a data-site='pinterest' class='ssba_pinterest_share' href='javascript:void((function()%7Bvar%20e=document.createElement(&apos;script&apos;);e.setAttribute(&apos;type&apos;,&apos;text\/javascript&apos;);e.setAttribute(&apos;charset&apos;,&apos;UTF-8&apos;);e.setAttribute(&apos;src&apos;,&apos;\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinmarklet.js?r=&apos;+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)%7D)());'><img src=\"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/simple-share-buttons-adder\/buttons\/somacro\/pinterest.png\" style=\"width: 35px;\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"ssba ssba-img\" alt=\"Pin on Pinterest\" \/><div title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"ssbp-text\">Pinterest<\/div><\/a><a data-site=\"\" class=\"ssba_twitter_share\" href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9041&amp;text=Can%20Herpes%20affect%20fertility%3F%20\"  target=&quot;_blank&quot; 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