Does Alcohol Kill Sperm?

Alcohol and male fertility – Does alcohol kill sperm? It’s not that dramatic. Having the occasional alcoholic drink is unlikely to significantly affect your fertility. But research does suggest that regular alcohol consumption may lower your semen parameters. A few definitions that might be helpful when evaluating this research:

Binge drinking is typically defined as having 5 or more drinks in a few hours.
One drink, or one “unit,” is ⅓ of an ounce of alcohol, or the amount contained in:
- About 9 oz of beer
- About 3 oz of wine
- One shot (about 1 oz) of liquor

You’ll notice that typical serving sizes of hard drinks — 12–16 oz of beer, 4–6 oz wine, or a 2-oz shot glass — are more than one “unit” of alcohol. Published in BMJ Open, a study by a research team in Denmark assessed 1,221 Danish men aged 18–28, looking at their weekly drinking habits and how often they binge drank.

The participants also provided semen and blood samples so researchers could look at their sperm quality and reproductive hormones,
The men in the study drank an average of 11 units of alcohol per week.
Researchers found that drinking alcohol in the preceding week was associated with changes in reproductive hormone levels: testosterone levels increased, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) decreased.

The study stated that the reproductive hormone changes were more significant as the weekly alcohol units increased. Regular drinking was also associated with lower sperm quality. Overall, the higher the number of weekly units consumed, the lower the sperm quality.

This particular study noted that the negative effect on reproductive hormones and sperm quality was noticeable in men who drank five or more units a week, but most apparent in men who drank 25 or more units each week.
That’s the equivalent of about 15 pints of beer.
Laboratory experiments conducted on rats have also shown alcohol to shrink their testicles,

The research team hypothesized that this could also happen in humans. Does Alcohol Kill Sperm

Will drinking alcohol kill sperm?

Myths and Truths About Preventing Pregnancy The Mountain Dew Myth: Have your boyfriend down a 2-liter of Mountain Dew before sex and it will lower his sperm count, preventing pregnancy. Truth: The ingredients in Mountain Dew – or other sodas – do not affect a male’s sperm count.

So “Doing the Dew” does not prevent pregnancy.
Sex in Water: You can’t get pregnant if you have sex in water.
Truth: Pregnancy can occur in water.
It doesn’t matter whether it’s a lake, a pool or a hot tub.
Jump Up and Down after Sex: If you jump up and down after sex the sperm will fall out of the vagina.

Truth: Jumping up and down does not cause sperm to fall out. Even if you jump on a trampoline it won’t prevent pregnancy. The Smartphone App: As long as your app says you’re not ovulating you can’t get pregnant. Truth: There are many different apps out there that can track a woman’s period and tell you when you are fertile.

Your smart phone is smart but not always correct.
It does not know your individual body and therefore cannot always accurately predict when you are fertile or not.
It won’t prevent pregnancy.
The Pull Out Method: As long as your boyfriend pulls out before he ejaculates there is no chance of getting pregnant.

Also known as withdrawal method. Truth: Two things to keep in mind: 1. There are always fluids being released even before ejaculation takes place.2. This takes a lot of self-control that most people do not have in the heat of the moment. There are many stories of large families who were all conceived from this method.

The Gravity Myth: In the movie Knocked Up, the main character says if a girl is on top during sex she can’t get pregnant because of gravity. Truth: Don’t believe everything Hollywood says. Sperm can swim upwards! The Alcohol Myth: Alcohol kills sperm; therefore you can’t get pregnant. Truth: Neither drinking nor taking drugs will prevent pregnancy.

Taking alcohol or drugs lowers your inhibitions and ability to make good decisions when it comes to sex. The First Time Myth: You can’t get pregnant your first time having sex. Truth: If you are ovulating, it doesn’t matter whether it’s your first time or your 101st time having sex, you can get pregnant.

Can alcohol stop you from getting pregnant?

Female fertility and alcohol Alcohol can decrease female fertility. A recent review has shown that light drinking reduces fertility in women, and fertility is reduced even further in women drinking moderately or heavily.

Does alcohol kill sperm when trying to get pregnant?

– In men, heavy drinking affects fertility by:

lowering testosterone levels, follicle stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone, and raising estrogen levels, which reduce sperm productionshrinking the testes, which can cause impotence or infertility changing gonadotropin release which impacts sperm productioncausing early ejaculation or decreased ejaculation changing the shape, size, and movement of healthy sperm

Combining drugs like marijuana or opioids with alcohol also lowers fertility. In addition, liver disease caused by excessive drinking can change sperm quality, Moreover, recent animal and human studies show exposure to alcohol during early development and later in life leads to changes in the DNA,

What to do if sperm went inside?

Signs that Sperm Went Inside the Body: –

Presence of Semen: The most obvious sign that sperm has gone inside your body is the presence of semen. The semen of men is a thick, white fluid that contains sperm. During ejaculation, semen is released from the penis and can enter the vagina. If you or your partner notice the presence of semen during or after intercourse, it is a sign that sperm has likely entered the body.

Changes in Vaginal Discharge: After sexual intercourse, you may notice changes in your vaginal discharge. If sperm has gone inside your body, you may notice an increase in discharge that is thin and watery. This is because semen can change the pH balance of the vagina, causing an increase in the production of cervical mucus. This discharge can be a sign that sperm has entered your body.

Changes in Cervical Mucus: Cervical mucus is a common type of fluid that is produced by the cervix. It plays an important role in fertility by helping sperm travel through the cervix and into the uterus. After sexual intercourse, you may notice changes in your cervical mucus. If sperm has gone inside your body, you may notice an increase in the amount of cervical mucus. The mucus may also become thinner and more slippery, which can make it easier for sperm to travel through the cervix.

Cramping and Spotting: After sexual intercourse, you may experience cramping and spotting. This is because the cervix can become irritated during intercourse, which can cause spotting. Additionally, the uterus may contract after intercourse, which can cause cramping. These symptoms can be a sign that sperm has gone inside your body.

Pregnancy Symptoms: If sperm has gone inside your body and fertilized an egg, you may experience pregnancy symptoms. These can include fatigue, nausea, breast tenderness, and missed periods. If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is important to take a pregnancy test to confirm whether you are pregnant.

How long should I stop drinking before conceiving?

Dads-to-be should stop drinking 6 months before conception for baby’s heart health, study says Alcohol consumption during pregnancy has long been linked to congenital defects and developmental problems in newborns. Now a new study has found a link between a baby’s congenital heart defects and their prospective parents’ drinking before conception.

Compared to non-drinkers, fathers who drank during the three months before conception were 44% more likely to have babies born with congenital heart disease.If the prospective dads were binge drinkers, which was defined as downing five or more drinks per session, there was a 52% higher likelihood their baby would have a congenital heart defect. has shown that alcohol exposure changes the DNA in developing sperm and changes sperm activity, although the underlying mechanisms are not yet understood.For mothers who drank or binge-drank before conception, there was a 16% higher risk for their babies, compared to not drinking.The study,, was a meta analysis and review of existing studies on the topic, and can only show an association between drinking and birth defects, not a causation.”Binge drinking by would-be parents is a high risk and dangerous behavior that not only may increase the chance of their baby being born with a heart defect, but also greatly damages their own health,” study author Jiabi Qin, of Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China, said in a statement.

Does vodka reduce sperm count?

Conclusion. So the statement that ‘vodka will affect your manhood and reduce sperm count’ is just a misconception. The truth is that if you’re drinking in moderation or as low as possible, whether it’s vodka or any other drink, it won’t impact your fertility.

What if I drank before I found out I was pregnant?

– Here’s something to remember: in-utero human development doesn’t happen all at once. It happens over a 40-week period (more or less, but you know what we mean) and there are many contributing factors. And while drinking at any stage of pregnancy should be avoided, both the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists say harm from having a little alcohol before you knew you were pregnant is unlikely,

So if you drank alcohol before you realized you were pregnant, the important thing is that you stop now. Your tiny human’s brain has a lot of development yet to go. Take your daily prenatal vitamin, maintain a healthy diet, avoid undercooked meats and raw or high-mercury fish, and keep your prenatal appointments — these are all wonderful things you can do to promote your baby’s health.

And while we’re on the topic of those prenatal appointments — talk to your doctor candidly about your concerns and let them know that you had alcohol early on. If you feel uncomfortable chatting with them about things that may affect your pregnancy, find a new doctor.

How many drops of sperm is needed to get pregnant?

Sperm: How Long Sperm Live, Sperm Count, and More Medically Reviewed by on November 09, 2022 You may know it takes one and one egg to make a, but if you’re like most folks, you might not remember much else about sperm from biology class. If infertility is an issue for you and your partner, it helps to understand the basics.

How long do sperm live? The answer depends on a number of things, but the most important is where the sperm are located.
On a dry surface, such as clothing or bedding, sperm are dead by the time the semen has dried.
In water, such as a warm bath or hot tub, they’ll likely because they thrive in warm, wet places.

But the odds that sperm in a tub of water will find their way inside a woman’s body and cause them to get pregnant are extremely low. When sperm are inside women’s body, they can live for up to 5 days. If you’re a man and you have even a few days before your partner ovulates, there’s chance they may get pregnant.

How many sperm do you need to get pregnant? It takes just one sperm to fertilize a woman’s egg. Keep in mind, though, for each sperm that reaches the egg, there are millions that don’t. On average, each time men ejaculate they release nearly 100 million sperm. Why are so many sperm released if it takes only one to make a baby? To meet the waiting egg, semen must travel from the to the fallopian tubes, a tough journey that few sperm survive.

Experts believe this process may be nature’s way of allowing only the healthiest sperm to fertilize the egg, to provide the best chances of having a,

For those sperm that complete the trip, getting into the egg, which is covered by a thick layer, is far from a sure thing.
Is there anything you can do to improve the health of your sperm?
Many of the things you do to keep yourself healthy can also do the same for sperm. Try some of these tips:

Don’t smoke or use illicit drugs, especially anabolic steroids.
Avoid contact with toxins such as pesticides and heavy metals.
Limit how much alcohol you drink.
Eat a healthy diet and keep your weight under control.
Keep your scrotum cool, because heat slows down the making of sperm. To do this, avoid hot baths, wear boxers instead of briefs, and try not to wear tight pants.

What does a semen analysis tell?
It’s a test that can help your doctor figure out why you and your partner are having trouble having a baby.
Some things you can learn from the analysis:

Amount and thickness of semen. On average, each time men ejaculate they release 2-6 milliliters (mL) of semen, or around a 1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon. Less than that amount may not contain enough sperm for a woman to get pregnant. On the other hand, more than that could dilute the concentration of sperm.

Semen should be thick to start with and become thinner 10 to 15 minutes after ejaculation.
Semen that stays thick may make it difficult for sperm to move.
Sperm concentration.
Also called sperm density, this is the number of sperm in millions per milliliter of semen.
Fifteen million or more sperm per mL is considered normal.

Sperm motility. This is the percentage of sperm in a sample that are moving, as well as an assessment of how they move. One hour after ejaculation, at least 32% of sperm should be moving forward in a straight line. Morphology. This is an analysis of the size, shape, and appearance of sperm.

Is it normal for sperm to leak out the next day?

Reprinted with permission from Malpani Infertility Clinic Q. My husband and I have an active sex life, we are both healthy, and my periods are regular, However, we have still not conceived ! Please help ! A. You need to remember that it’s not possible to determine the reason for your infertility until you undergo tests to find out if your husband’s sperm count is normal; if your fallopian tubes and uterus are normal; and if you are producing eggs.

Only after undergoing these tests will your doctor be able to tell you why you are not conceiving.
While testing does cause considerable anxiety, it’s far better to intelligently identify the problem so that we can look for the best solution.Q.
How can I determine my “fertile” period ? A.
Your fertile period is the time during which having sex could lead to a pregnancy.

This is the 4-6 days prior to ovulation ( release of a mature egg from the ovary). Women normally ovulate 14 days prior to the date of the next menstrual period. If you are mathematically challenged, you can use this free online ovulation calendar,Q. My gynecologist has done an internal examination and said I am normal.

Do I still need to get tests done to determine why I am not conceiving ? A.
A routine gynecological examination does not provide information about possible problems which can cause infertility, such as blocked fallopian tubes or ovulatory disorders.
You need a systematic infertility workup.Q.
Do painful periods cause infertility ? A.

Painful periods do not affect fertility. In fact, for most patients, regular painful periods usually signal ovulatory cycles. However, progressively worsening pain during periods (especially when this is accompanied by pain during sex) may mean you have endometriosis.Q.

My periods come only once every 6 weeks, Could this be a reason for my infertility ? A. As long as the periods are regular, this means ovulation is occurring. Some normal women have menstrual cycle lengths of as long as 40 days. Of course, since they have fewer cycles every year, the number of times they are “fertile” in a year is decreased.

Also, they need to monitor their fertile period more closely, since this is delayed (as compared to women with a 30 day cycle).Q. My husband’s blood group is B positive and I am A negative. Could this blood group “incompatibility” be a reason for our infertility ? A.

There is no relation between blood groups and fertility.Q.
After having sex, most of the semen leaks out of my vagin.
How can we prevent this ? Should we change our sexual technique ? Could this be a reason for our infertility ? A.
Loss of seminal fluid after intercourse is perfectly normal, and most women notice some discharge immediately after sex.

Many infertile couples imagine that this is the cause of their problem. If your husband ejaculates inside you, then you can be sure that no matter how much semen leaks out afterwards, enough sperm will reach the cervical mucus. This leakage of semen ( which is called effluvium seminis) is not a cause of infertility.

In fact, this leakage is a good sign – it means your husband is depositing his semen normally in your vagina. Of course, you cannot see what goes in – you can only see what leaks out – but the fact that some is leaking out means enough is going in! Q. My colleagues at work tell me that if we “work” hard at getting pregnant, and want it enough, we definitely will ! In fact, my mother in law is even suggesting that the fact that I am not conceiving means that subconsciously I do not wish to have a baby ( because it may interfere with my career) and that this psychological barrier is the reason for our infertility.A.

Unlike many other parts of your lives, infertility may be beyond your control. Don’t blame yourself if you are not getting pregnant – it’s a medical problem which often needs appropriate medical treatment. The attitudes you are encountering are often born out of ignorance – and are a kind of “victim-blaming” – ignore them ! Q.

My grandmother says that if I just pray and have faith, I will definitely conceive. How far is this true ? A. Believing in god can help you to maintain a positive outlook – but sheer will and blind faith won’t overcome a physical problem like blocked tubes or absent sperms.Q. My husband refuses to get his semen tested,

He says the fact that it is thick and voluminous means it must be normal.A. Semen consists mainly of seminal fluid, secreted by the seminal vesicles and the prostate. The volume and consistency of the semen is not related to its fertility potential, which depends upon the sperm count.

This can only be assessed by microscopic examination.Q. My sister conceived only after 6 years of marriage. Does this mean I will also have difficulty conceiving ? A. If your mother, grandmother or sister has had difficulty becoming pregnant, this does not necessarily mean you will have the same problem! Most infertility problems are not hereditary, and you need a complete evaluation.Q.

My doctor just did a physical examination for me, and he feels that the reason for my infertility is that my uterus is tipped backwards, and this prevents the sperm from swimming into the uterus. He is advising I have surgery to correct this problem.

Should I go ahead ? A. About one in five women will have a retroverted uterus. If the uterus is freely mobile, this is normal, and is not a cause of infertility. This is not an indication for surgery! Q. My husband says we should be having intercourse every day to achieve pregnancy, Is this true ? A. Sperm remain alive and active in woman’s cervical mucus for 48-72 hours following sexual intercourse; therefore, it isn’t necessary to plan your lovemaking on a rigid schedule.Q.

My friends say I should have sex exactly on the day I ovulate to get pregnant. How can I do this ? A. Although having sexual intercourse near the time of ovulation is important, no single day is critical. So, don’t be concerned if intercourse is not possible or practical on the day of ovulation.Q.

My sister in law is advising me to keep a pillow under my hips during and after intercourse,
Will this increase my chances of conceiving ? A.
Sperm are already swimming in cervical mucus as sexual intercourse is completed and will continue to travel up the cervix to the fallopian tube for the next 48 to 72 hours.

The position of the hips really doesn’t matter.Q. My mother feels I am too tense, and that if I just relax, I’ll get pregnant.A. If pregnancy has not occurred after a year, chances are there is a medical condition causing infertility. There is no evidence that stress causes infertility.

Remember, all infertile patients are under stress – it’s not the stress which causes infertiliity, it’s the infertility which causes the stress! Q. I just had a HSG ( X-ray of the uterus and tubes) done, and this shows my tubes are blocked, I’ve never had symptoms of a pelvic infection, so how could my tubes get blocked ? A.

Many pelvic infections have no symptoms at all, but can cause damage, sometimes irreversibly, to the tubes.Q. My doctor has advised me to take fertility drugs, I don’t want to take them because if I am scared that if I do, then I’ll have a multiple births,A.

Fact: Although fertility drugs do increase the chance of having a multiple pregnancy (because they stimulate the ovaries to produce several eggs), the majority of women taking them have singleton births.Q. My husband’s sperm count varies every time we test it ! How do we determine what the “real” sperm count is ? A.

Even a normal ( fertile ) man’s sperm count can vary considerably from week to week. Sperm count and motility can be affected by many factors, including time between ejaculations, illness, and medications. There are other factors which affect the sperm count as well, all of which we do not understand.Q.

I have no problems having sex.
Since I am virile, my sperm count must be normal,A.
There is no correlation between male fertility and virility.
Men with totally normal sex drives may have no sperms at all.Q.
I don’t think infertility treatment should not be offered in India, because there are too many babies in this country already.

Why should we exacerbate the population problem by producing more? In any case, IVF treatment is too expensive for India to be able to afford.A. The right to have children is a fundamental right of every human being and a very basic biological urge. Just because a neighbour has too many children should not deprive the infertile couple of their right to have their own.

IVF and related technologies are undoubtedly expensive, but, then, so is heart surgery. Yet no one objects when over Rs 1 lakh are spent to try to salvage the heart of a 70 year old man (whose life expectancy in any case is only about 5 years and is not extended by the surgery). Why then should medical technology not be used to help couples in their thirties (with their whole lives ahead of them) have their own baby? In fact, IVF is a much more cost-effective use of medical resources than a number of other accepted surgical procedures (such as joint replacement surgery or kidney transplants).Q.

My semen analysis report shows I have no sperm in the semen ( azoospermia ). Is this because I used to masturbate excessively as a boy ? A. Masturbation is a normal activity which most boys and men indulge in. It does not affect the sperm count. You cannot “run” out of sperms, because these are constantly being produced in the testes.Q.

My wife is frigid and does not enjoy having sex, Could this be the reason for her infertility? A. There is no connection between sexual pleasure and fertility. Don’t forget that even a woman who gets raped can get pregnant! And don’t forget that the commonest reason women do not enjoy sex is because their husbands are unskilled lovers ! Maybe you should improve your sexual technique, and spend more time in foreplay and in pleasuring your wife.

Do you need more information on infertility ? Our book, Getting Pregnant – A Guide for the Infertile Couple, is a very valuable resource – and the full book is available online, free of charge!

How long do you keep sperm inside you?

How do I increase my chances of getting pregnant? – One of the best ways to increase your chances of getting pregnant is knowing what days you ovulate (when you’re most likely to get pregnant), and planning vaginal sex or insemination around those days.

Everyone’s body is different, but ovulation usually happens about 14 days before your period starts. An egg lives for about 1 day after it’s released (ovulation), and sperm can live in the body for about 6 days after sex. So people are usually fertile for around 7 days of every menstrual cycle: the 5 days before you ovulate, and the day you ovulate.

You can also get pregnant a day or 2 after ovulation, but it’s less likely. Some people have very regular cycles, and some people’s cycles vary from month to month. Many people track their menstrual cycles and other fertility signs to help them figure out when they’re ovulating.

This is called fertility awareness — some people use it to prevent pregnancy, and others use it to try to get pregnant. You can use a fertility chart to keep track of your cycle and when you’re most fertile (like your body temperature, changes in your cervical mucus, and your menstrual cycle). There are apps that can make it easy to chart your cycle and figure out your fertile days.

You can also use ovulation predictor kits — urine tests that tell you when you’re ovulating. You can buy ovulation predictor tests in the drugstore, usually near the pregnancy tests. Ovulation predictor tests look for a hormone called luteinizing hormone, which increases in your body right before you ovulate.

What kills sperm outside the body?

How long can sperm live on environmental surfaces? – They die as they dry out, so it depends on how quickly they dry. They also are killed by fresh(tap) water due to osmotic shock(they “explode”). Soap and detergents such as those used for laundering and hand washing also kill them, as these substances strip off the cell membrane(“skin”) of the sperm.

These methods kill sperm very quickly. Please note, while sperm are relatively easy to kill on environmental surfaces, do not try to use water or detergents to kill them in the vagina or female reproductive tract. The female tract and the jelly-like consistency of human semen protect them from mixing well with water once inside the female body.

In addition, water and detergent can be harmful to the tissues. This is not a good birth control strategy!

Does alcohol make you last longer in bed?

How do Alcohol and Marijuana Affect Sexual Performance? – By Justin Lehmiller A lot of people attempt to enhance their sex lives by turning to perception-altering substances, with two of the most common being alcohol and marijuana. But how exactly do these drugs affect us in the bedroom? A recent study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior offers some insight.

A lot of participants reported that both substances make them feel sexier or more attractive; however, this was more common for drinking than it was for smoking. Both substances were described as affecting one’s choice of sexual partner; however, people said that alcohol tended to have a more negative effect on partner selection. Why? When people were drunk, they were more likely to have sex with strangers they probably wouldn’t otherwise hook-up with (the old ” beer goggles ” effect). By contrast, when people were high, they tended to have sex with people they already knew. This difference in partner selection is probably a function of the fact that people tend to use alcohol and marijuana in very different settings: alcohol is consumed more often in bars and clubs, whereas marijuana is consumed more often in homes and private parties. Given these differences in partner selection, is should not be surprising that alcohol use was linked to having more sexual regrets the next day compared to marijuana. Most commonly, these regrets were linked to choice of partner; however, they sometimes involved specific sexual acts, such as forgoing condom use. Alcohol was linked to more impairments in sexual performance, including erectile difficulties, vaginal dryness, and (sometimes) falling asleep during sex. Some marijuana users reported negative sexual effects, too, but they were more psychological than physical in nature (you know, like paranoia and anxiety). Both substances were described as having dosage effects, with each linked to more problems when consumed in larger (compared to smaller) quantities. Participants were more likely to say that the physical sensations of sex were enhanced or heightened while high, but “numbed” while drunk. A lot of people said sex lasts longer when they’re drunk; however, this is likely due to alcohol’s desensitizing effects on the body. Interestingly, some people thought this was a good thing, whereas others thought it wasn’t. Marijuana use was linked to feeling that sex lasts longer, even though if it didn’t actually last longer—it just changed people’s perception of time. Both drugs were seen as having inconsistent effects on orgasm. While some felt that being high led to more intense orgasms, others had difficulty reaching orgasm because they felt too distracted. Likewise, while some felt that alcohol delayed or inhibited orgasm, others said that being drunk allowed them to orgasm faster or more often. Marijuana was more often described as resulting in tender and slow sexual experiences, whereas alcohol was linked to more intense sex. Both drugs were linked to trying new things in bed.

Keep in mind that all of these findings come from a small study and shouldn’t be generalized broadly. Also, remember that these findings are based on self-report data, which means that people may not recall precisely how much of each substance they consumed or exactly how it affected them.

More research is certainly needed, but these results suggest that alcohol and marijuana seem to have quite different sexual effects. However, understanding the effects of these drugs is a very complex matter, given that they depend not only on dosage, but also on a given person’s body chemistry. To learn more about this research, see: Palamar, J.J., Acosta, P., Ompad, D.C., & Friedman, S.R.

(2016). A qualitative investigation comparing psychosocial and physical sexual experiences related to alcohol and marijuana use among adults. Archives of Sexual Behavior, doi:10.1007/s10508-016-0782-7 Note: The definitive version of this article was originally published on Sex & Psychology,

Dr. Justin Lehmiller is an award winning educator and a prolific researcher and scholar.
He has published articles in some of the leading journals on sex and relationships, written two textbooks, and produces the popular blog, Sex & Psychology, Dr.
Lehmiller’s research topics include casual sex, sexual fantasy, sexual health, and friends with benefits.

He is currently the Director of the Social Psychology Graduate Program and an Assistant Professor of Social Psychology at Ball State University. Image via Pixabay.

What happens if I drink my husband sperm?

– Just like any other form of unprotected sex, swallowing semen can put you at risk for an STI. Without a barrier birth control method, bacterial infections, like gonorrhea and chlamydia, can affect the throat. Skin-to-skin viral infections, like herpes, can result from contact.