Male Infertility: The Missing Half of the Conversation
When it comes to fertility, the focus is often on women, but the data tells a different story. Male factors contribute to up to 50% of infertility cases. Male infertility is defined as the inability to achieve conception within one year of unprotected intercourse.
Male Fertility Is Declining:
This can be identified by looking at semen quality parameters which have been revealing a decline in not only sperm counts, but also concentration.
Sperm counts have dropped significantly worldwide.
Average sperm concentration has declined by approximately 50% since the 1970s.
And the decline is speeding up. Since 2000, the rate has more than doubled (1.1% to 2.6% per year).
Factors Affecting Male Fertility:
Lifestyle factors such as smoking and heavy alcohol use have been shown to negatively impact sperm quality. Alcohol, in particular, has been associated with reduced sperm maturation and increased DNA damage. In addition, hormonal factors, obesity, metabolic dysfunction, and chronic or systemic health conditions can all play a role in male fertility.
Takeaway:
Fertility is not just a female issue. Optimizing male health is one of the most overlooked and impactful pieces of the puzzle. If you’re trying to conceive, both partners should be assessed and supported.Connect with us to learn more about treatment options.
Resources:
Huang, B., Wang, Z., Kong, Y., Jin, M., & Ma, L. (2023). Global, regional and national burden of male infertility in 204 countries and territories between 1990 and 2019: An analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study. BMC Public Health, 23(1), 2195. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17132-9
Kumar, N., Singh, A.K. Impact of environmental factors on human semen quality and male fertility: a narrative review. Environ Sci Eur 34, 6 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-021-00585-w
Levine, H., Jørgensen, N., Martino-Andrade, A., Mendiola, J., Weksler-Derri, D., Jolles, M., Pinotti, R., & Swan, S. H. (2023). Temporal trends in sperm count: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis of samples collected globally in the 20th and 21st centuries. Human reproduction update, 29(2), 157–176. https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmac035
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