Addressing Male Infertility for Better Family Planning

According to some reports, about 10% to 15% of men trying to conceive a child experience issues with fertility.

“For couples who are having difficulty conceiving, about 50% of the time there is a male factor component,” says Puneet Masson, M.D., director of Reproductive Urology for the Desai Sethi Urology Institute at the University of Miami Health System.

Considering that, you’d think male infertility would get more attention than it does, but Dr. Masson says that has not been the case. “In my career, I’ve found that male infertility is underserved and often overlooked,” he says.

“For couples trying to conceive, about 25% of sub-fertile males are not evaluated. What’s more, as many as 6% of that group of men may have a serious underlying health condition that may get overlooked as a result.”

For Dr. Masson, this historic disregard for male fertility issues is a fundamental problem when you consider that outcomes are a lot more successful with early detection and treatment. If a man has problems leading to infertility, he probably won’t discover it until he’s trying to conceive. Dr. Masson says there’s a lot of value for men to get evaluated in their 20s, even if they want to have kids someday.

What are the main causes of male infertility?

“One physical cause of male infertility is known as a varicocele, which is a swollen vein in the testicles that can affect sperm count,” says Dr. Masson.

“Another common issue in men is testosterone use, which can also reduce sperm count. If we can evaluate young men early, before they try to have children, we can often find and treat these issues to avoid problems later.”

Reproductive urologists play a crucial role in identifying correctable causes of male factor infertility. They also recognize the importance of having a healthy dialogue about risk factors and reproductive strategies so a couple may be better informed throughout their family-building journey.

Lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol and drug use and weight can impact male fertility, according to the Urology Care Foundation. Early evaluation and treatment can give your health care provider an opportunity to determine how these factors are impacting your fertility and provide advice for changes that may be needed when you get ready to have kids later.

Curbing the stigma of male fertility issues

Dr. Masson has recently noticed some positive changes around the “stigma” of male fertility. Some of that is coming in the form of greater awareness. “I’m beginning to see a number of male celebrities speak openly about their struggles with infertility,” he says. “This makes a real difference, as it makes men more comfortable with talking to their doctors about their concerns and getting evaluated.”

Male patients are also raising awareness for male factor infertility, either through their social media or one-on-one conversations with friends. With all this attention, there has been an upsurge in male fertility evaluations.

Other trends are improving the ability of men to get their infertility treated, as well. More insurance providers are now covering male fertility evaluations and treatments. With improved access to care either through home semen testing or telehealth services, men are able to undergo an evaluation from the privacy of their homes.

Treating the whole family unit to enhance fertility

In addition, providers, such as Dr. Masson, are treating couples more holistically than they did in the past. Doctors are collaborating to look at the collective issues of the couple and seek solutions in a more integrated manner.

“I’ve been working more closely with my female reproductive colleagues in recent years. I think it’s a major breakthrough in how we’re addressing infertility,” says Dr. Masson. “In addition, we also have more treatment options for couples than ever, from advanced sperm functional testing to microsurgical sperm extraction procedures for men in conjunction with in-vitro fertilization to other alternative and unique pathways for family-building.”

The key is for men to take control of their health and take the necessary steps to get evaluated. The earlier fertility issues can be assessed and treated, the better the potential outcome for the couple.

Wyatt Myers is a contributor for UHealth’s news service.

Tags: Dr. Puneet Masson, Early fertility evaluation, Fertility issues in men, Impact of lifestyle on male fertility, reproductive urology, Varicocele and infertility