Managing male infertility is often an overlooked part of reproductive health, but in an Australian first, new clinical guidelines are paving the way for change.
Co-developed by Griffith University researchers, the landmark guidelines provide clinicians with an evidence-based framework for assessing, diagnosing and managing male infertility.
Infertility affects about one in six couples and a male factor may contribute to 50 per cent of cases.
Dr Liza O'Donnell said until recently, no Australian-based clinical guidelines for the management of male infertility had been published.
"The guidelines call for males to be simultaneously assessed when a female seeks infertility care," Dr O'Donnell said.
"By identifying male fertility issues early, women could potentially avoid unnecessary investigations and stress associated with not being able to conceive."
The initial evaluation of male fertility should include a reproductive and medical history, physical examination and semen analysis, and simultaneous evaluation of the female partner.
Further evaluation of men with suspected infertility should be guided by an expert in male reproduction and include hormonal evaluation and an estimate of testicular volume.
Extra tests could involve sperm DNA testing, somatic genetic testing and imaging.
The guidelines state the management of male infertility should include counselling men regarding potentially modifiable risk factors, associated health conditions, and implications for their future health and offspring.
Dr O'Donnell said the guidelines were freely available to the general public so they could see the advice doctors were following.
"This can empower men and couples to ask the right questions, push for thorough care and improve their chances of conceiving," she said.
"By simultaneously evaluating fertility in both the male and female partner, it will mean men with fertility issues will be picked up earlier and could change the treatment course for the couple."
The paper 'The first Australian evidence-based guidelines on male infertility' has been published in The Medical Journal of Australia.
