According to a recent study, many couples undergo unnecessary and expensive IVF treatments because male fertility is not adequately explored by the healthcare system.
Firstly, misinterpretations among GPs and a lack of specialists and NHS testing mean that male fertility is often overshadowed in couples who struggle to conceive, despite men accounting for 50% of all cases of infertility.
Meanwhile, several causes of male fertility can be treated. One of the most common reasons is a varicocele: an enlargement of the veins in the scrotum that increases the temperature of the testis, which damages sperm and can be treated with surgery.
In this context, Vaibhav Modgil from the University of Manchester said there is a lack of understanding about male infertility, which ultimately affects 5% to 10% of men in Britain.
Experts urged the first men’s health strategy to include a tactical focus on male infertility, similar to that in Australia.
Fertility has traditionally been considered a women’s health issue, and more rigorous research into the lifestyle and medical history of both partners is needed.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has reportedly taken a major step in updating its guidelines to recommend more testing for men.
Recent research from Fertility Action found that 80.6% of GPs had not received any information about male fertility, and that 97% would not be able to accurately analyze for varicocele.
The concept of male fertility has long suffered from proper recognition as a health issue.
It’s a bold step to shape the way we think and act in men’s health and adapt to the challenges that arise over time.
The recent study suggests that the primary goal is to ensure that all couples have the opportunity to conceive naturally before committing to the journey of reproductive technologies.
Nevertheless, the latest progress underlines the fact that we need to invest in proper diagnosis, and serves as a strong foundation for improving the way we think about men’s health.
