[Click! Health] Rapid Increase in Male Infertility... Accurate Cause Identification First

Infertility is not solely a women's issue. With the increase in marriage age and other factors, the number of male infertility patients has also surged over the past decade. Since there are various causes of male infertility, it is important to accurately identify the cause, diagnose it, and proceed with treatment.

An analysis of 12,655 male infertility patients (diagnosis code N46) diagnosed over 10 years from 2013 to 2022 at Mizmedi Hospital under the Seongsam Medical Foundation showed that the total number of male infertility patients increased by 33.7%, from 1,095 in 2013 to 1,464 last year. The largest age group was men in their 30s, accounting for 72.6%, but the proportion of patients in their 40s notably increased. The percentage of patients in their 40s rose from 16.4% to 20.4% during this period.

[Provided by Mizmedi Hospital]

Kim Ki-young, Chief of Urology at Mizmedi Hospital, explained, "In the past, the cause of infertility was mainly sought in women, so women primarily visited infertility clinics. However, nowadays, there is a growing awareness that infertility is a problem couples must solve together, and since male infertility tests are relatively simpler compared to female infertility tests, more men are visiting hospitals." He added, "As marriage and childbirth ages increase, the age group of male infertility patients is also rising."

The causes of male infertility include sperm production disorders, obstruction in sperm transport, and functional problems in sexual relations. Sperm production disorders occur when the testes fail to produce normal sperm, leading to reduced sperm count, decreased motility, and abnormal morphology. Obstruction in sperm transport happens when sperm are normally produced in the testes but face blockages or abnormalities in the epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, or prostate, hindering sperm movement and ejaculation. Difficulties in sexual relations due to erectile dysfunction or ejaculation disorders can also cause infertility. Kim emphasized, "Generally, male infertility results from a combination of multiple factors rather than a single cause. Since treatment varies depending on the cause, it is very important to accurately identify and diagnose the cause through testing."

Kim Ki-young, Chief of Urology at Mizmedi Hospital.
[Photo by Mizmedi Hospital]

If varicocele or obstructive azoospermia caused by blocked sperm transport is the cause, it can be corrected through microsurgery. In cases where surgical correction is not possible, such as obstructive azoospermia and non-obstructive azoospermia caused by testicular dysfunction, sperm can be extracted from the testes and pregnancy can be attempted through in vitro fertilization. Kim stated, "Preparing and making efforts are necessary for a healthy pregnancy, and to expect qualitative and quantitative improvement in sperm through lifestyle changes, at least a preparation period of three months is required. This means that prospective fathers planning pregnancy should strive to produce healthy sperm for at least three months."

Kim also provided seven key points that prospective fathers should know for a healthy pregnancy. Specifically, these are ▲stress management ▲regular and sufficient sleep ▲maintaining appropriate weight and balanced diet ▲avoiding excessive exercise ▲quitting smoking and alcohol ▲keeping testicular temperature low ▲and consuming nutrients that improve sperm quality.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.