Epidemiology and etiology of Male Infertility

Epidemiology and etiology of Male Infertility

Our Male Infertility Specialist: 

• William Berg, MD 
• Yefim R. Sheynkin, MD   

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Infertility is defined as a couple's inability to achieve pregnancy following one year of unprotected intercourse. It has been estimated that 15-20% of couples attempting to achieve pregnancy are unable to do so. A male factor is contributory in more than 50% of couples presenting for fertility evaluation. In many studies male factor infertility is the most common single diagnostic category.

Therefore, a thorough evaluation of the male partner should be pursued as strongly as a female evaluation at the same time. It has been shown that the longer couples remain infertile, the worse their chance for an effective treatment. Initial screening of the male partner should be considered whenever patient presents with chief complaint of infertility regardless of length of infertility.Most studies have determined male factor infertility based on conventional criteria of sperm quality. Nevertheless, these criteria are not absolute. Significant proportion of men with normal semen quality will be infertile because of defective sperm function, while men with abnormal sperm quality will have normal sperm function.

Idiopathic male infertility remains the most common single diagnostic entity, although this classification may be changed with recent advances in the genetics of male infertility.The common causes of male infertility are varicocele, accessory gland infection, immunological factor, congenital abnormalities; obstructive azoospermia; iatrogenic systemic and endocrine causes.