Delayed male fertility assessment linked to invasive procedures in female partners

Delayed male fertility assessment linked to invasive procedures in female partners | Image Credit: © Chinnapong - © Chinnapong - stock.adobe.com.

Female partners are at an increased risk of invasive treatment when care for male-factor infertility is delayed, according to a recent study presented at the 25th Annual Fall Scientific Meeting of the SMSNA.

Male-factor infertility has been linked to approximately half of infertility cases among couples, but most cases are attributed to the female partner. This may lead to female partners receiving invasive and expensive procedures that are unnecessary.

Investigators conducted a study to evaluate the outcomes of delayed urologic care for male-factor infertility. Participants included patients presenting for a fertility assessment at a tertiary care institution between January 2023 and June 2024. These individuals received an electronic survey through REDCap.

Quantitative and qualitative evaluations of reproductive care among couples before seeking urologic care at the center were performed through the survey. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics.

There were 121 couples included in the final analysis, 35.5% of whom had early focused female gynecologic care and 13.3% desired reproductive endocrinology and female fertility counseling before seeking a male infertility assessment. Couples spent 2 months to 6 years focused only on female reproductive care before considering male-related infertility.

Of those seeking other treatment before care related to male infertility, 51.5% considered the treatment to be invasive and costly. Additionally, 48.7% wished they sought out urologic care earlier, highlighting the importance of patient awareness and education toward male-factor infertility.

These results indicated significant time and financial related costs, as well as invasive treatment for female partners, when delaying urologic care for male-related factors of infertility. Investigators concluded there is a, “need for early and equitable evaluation of both partners in infertility cases to optimize patient care and minimize unnecessary procedures.”

Reference

Kassab J, Keeme-sayre A, Oppenheimer A, Huang J, Stocks B, Lupshultz L. Delay of care negatively impacts female partners of patients with male factor infertility. Presented at: 25th Annual Fall Scientific Meeting of SMSNA. Scottsdale, Arizona. October 17-20, 2024.