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Can Pubic Lice Affect Your Reproductive Health?

ByDr. Kanika Sharma
Updated: 2 Sept 2026, 1:00 pm
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Sushma K, Consultant – Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Apollo Hospitals

Pubic lice are small parasites that inhabit your pubic hair. They tend to survive on coarse body hair. They usually spread through close physical contact, especially during sexual activity. sexual contact. You may experience itching, skin irritation, and discomfort. But they do not directly affect your reproductive health or fertility.

Pregatips
Pubic lice are small parasitic organisms that infest coarse body hair. They most commonly affect your pubic region. They feed on the small amount of blood sucked from the underlying skin of the infested area to grow and multiply. This condition may result in intense itching, irritation, and discomfort.
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Their mode of transmission is close physical contact, including sexual contact. However, pubic lice remain on the surface of the skin and hair and do not affect your reproductive organs. But accurate diagnosis and treatment are still important to prevent complications and reduce the risk of spreading the infestation.

What Are Pubic Lice?

Pubic lice (Pthirus pubis), sometimes called crabs, are tiny wingless parasites that live in coarse body hair.

They most commonly affect:

  • Pubic hair
  • Hair around the anus
  • Underarm hair
  • Chest hair
  • Beard or moustache
  • Eyebrows or eyelashes (less common)
Unlike head lice, pubic lice are adapted to grip coarse hair. Generally, they don’t survive for long away from the human body.

How Do Pubic Lice Spread?

Generally, pubic lice spread through close physical contact.

The following are the common modes of transmission:

  • Sexual contact
  • Skin-to-skin contact with an infested person
  • Sharing contaminated bedding, towels, or clothing (less common)
You cannot usually get pubic lice from the following:

  • Toilet seats
  • Swimming pools
  • Casual hugging
  • Sharing utensils

Can Pubic Lice Affect Your Reproductive Health?

Pubic lice do not directly affect your reproductive organs or fertility. These parasites inhabit only your skin and coarse hair. They do not invade the reproductive organs, such as:

As per current evidence, pubic lice:

  • Do not damage eggs or sperm
  • Do not interfere with ovulation
  • Do not affect sperm production
  • Do not cause infertility
  • Do not increase the risk of miscarriage
However, untreated pubic lice can still affect your overall sexual and reproductive well-being.

Persistent scratching may cause:

  • Skin irritation
  • Small sores or abrasions
  • Secondary bacterial skin infections
  • Pain or discomfort during sexual activity
Although these complications do not directly affect fertility, they may require medical treatment.


Why Are Pubic Lice Associated with Reproductive Health?

The presence of pubic lice may be associated with your reproductive health. This is not because pubic lice may damage your reproductive system, but because they are commonly transmitted through sexual contact.

So, if you are diagnosed with pubic lice, your doctor may recommend screening tests for certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including:

  • Chlamydia
  • Gonorrhoea
  • Syphilis
  • HIV
Because pubic lice are commonly spread through sexual contact, your doctor may recommend STI screening. Some untreated STIs can affect fertility if left untreated.

Therefore, diagnosing and treating these infections early helps protect your long-term reproductive health.

Although pubic lice may cause some discomfort, they have no direct effect on your fertility or reproductive health. They stay on the surface of the skin and hair and do not penetrate your reproductive organs.

Since pubic lice are often contracted through sexual contact, your doctor may suggest testing for STIs to determine if a person is infected with any diseases that may harm your reproductive health.

You’re not alone in your journey when trying to conceive. Join our supportive community to connect with others, share experiences, and find encouragement every step of the way.

FAQs on Can Pubic Lice Affect Your Reproductive Health?

  1. Can pubic lice cause infertility?
    No. Pubic lice do not affect the reproductive organs or cause infertility.
  2. Can pubic lice enter the vagina?
    No. Pubic lice live on coarse hair and the skin surface. They do not enter the vagina or other reproductive organs.
  3. Should my partner be treated?
    Yes. Current sexual partner(s) should be treated at the same time to reduce the risk of reinfestation.

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