- By Bornika Das
- Fri, 25 Jul 2025 07:43 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
World IVF Day 2025: Infertility is often portrayed as a women’s health issue, but the reality is that male infertility contributes to nearly half of all infertility cases worldwide. As today marks World IVF Day 2025, it’s time to shine a spotlight on an often overlooked aspect of the reproductive health of males. The World Health Organization shows that male infertility accounts for forty to fifty per cent of cases and, together with female factor infertility, makes up more than half of all infertility cases. The silence regarding male infertility can lead to missed opportunities for early diagnosis and effective treatment, prolonging the emotional and physical toll on couples trying to conceive.
In India, where cultural pressures around parenthood run high, infertility is still seen through a largely female lens, despite growing evidence that lifestyle factors, medical conditions, and genetics play a significant role in declining sperm health. From varicocele and hormonal imbalances to poor sperm motility, several treatable conditions are often left undiagnosed simply because men aren’t encouraged to get tested. On this World IVF Day, in conversation with The Daily Jagran, Dr. Nayana D H, Consultant - IVF, Aster Women &Children Hospital, Bengaluru, shares why male reproductive health should be given equal importance and awareness.
Male Infertility Is More Common Than You Think
The World Health Organization states that ten per cent of men worldwide experience fertility problems. Major contributors to the decline in sperm count and poor sperm motility in India include lifestyle-related issues. Dr. Nayana D H explains, “Male fertility problems stem from varicocele (scrotal vein enlargement) alongside hormonal problems, erectile dysfunction and genetic factors yet most cases remain undetected since people do not get regular screenings and lack awareness.”
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Stigma And Delayed Diagnosis
Social stigma, together with cultural restrictions, frequently causes male infertility to remain unspoken. The possibility of male infertility remains unconsidered by many men because they avoid testing for fertility issues. Early diagnosis becomes impossible because of this delayed assessment. Dr. Nayana D H states, “Indian families typically test and treat their female members repeatedly even when male fertility issues might be the actual cause.”
Male Infertility Is A Common Issue (Image Credits: Canva)
Why Early Evaluation Matters
Semen analysis is a crucial first-line investigation in the evaluation of male fertility. It provides important information about the quantity and quality of a man's sperm, which can directly impact the ability to conceive. Helps identify conditions like azoospermia (no sperm), oligospermia (low sperm count), asthenozoospermia (poor motility), teratozoospermia (abnormal morphology), or leukocytospermia (inflammation/infection). Dr. Nayana D H says, “If semen analysis is abnormal, then further testing would be advised. Multiple solutions exist to treat male infertility through lifestyle adjustments and hormone treatments, and surgical procedures like TESA (testicular sperm extraction) and assisted reproductive methods, including ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection).” However, the early diagnosis remains essential. Fertility experts suggest that when couples start their fertility evaluation, simultaneous testing of both partners is mandatory
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The challenge of infertility affects everyone and needs to be discussed together. Starting to talk about male infertility helps eliminate stigma and allows for better diagnosis and prompt treatment. Men can control their reproductive health through proper education and medical support, just like women have been encouraged to do for many years.