Male infertility is a disease that deserves greater clinical attention and research. A universally accepted definition that emphasizes the modulatory impact of age, lifestyle and environmental factors and includes comprehensive diagnostic and treatment guidelines is needed to ensure accurate evaluation and effective care. Accordingly, male infertility should be defined as a disease of the male reproductive system, caused primarily by congenital and genetic conditions, anatomical, endocrine, functional or immunological abnormalities of the reproductive system, genital tract infections, cancer and its related treatments, and sexual disorders incompatible with intercourse. Inadequate lifestyle, exposure to toxicants and advanced paternal age are critical factors acting alone or exacerbating the impact of known causative factors. The focus on male infertility must be balanced with that on female infertility to ensure the best possible outcome for the couple. Fertility clinics are encouraged to prioritize collaboration with reproductive urologists and andrologists to provide the best possible care for male infertility patients.
Reproductive biomedicine online. 2023 Apr 11 [Epub ahead of print]
Sandro C Esteves, Peter Humaidan
ANDROFERT, Andrology and Human Reproduction Clinic, Campinas, Brazil; Department of Surgery (Division of Urology), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil; Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark. Electronic address: ., Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; The Fertility Clinic, Skive Regional Hospital, Skive, Denmark.