Does male fertility-related quality of life differ when undergoing evaluation by reproductive urologist versus reproductive endocrinologist?

Abstract

The female infertility experience is well-described, but the male experience is less explored. We sought to understand if fertility motivations and quality of life differ for males undergoing fertility evaluation by a reproductive urologist (RU) versus a reproductive endocrinologist (RE). A cross-sectional study of 201 males undergoing fertility evaluation at an academic centre, by either a RU or RE, over a 2-year period, was performed. A survey was administered, with demographic, medical, and fertility motivations questions, and the validated Fertility Quality of Life (FertiQoL) questionnaire. Responses were compared by provider type using descriptive statistics, chi-square, and t-test. Most men (91.1%) pursued evaluation because of a mutual desire for children. RE evaluated males were older, earned higher incomes, and were more likely to pursue IVF versus those RU evaluated (p < 0.05). Men evaluated by RUs had lower FertiQoL scores, (p < 0.05), which correlated with having known male factor infertility (p < 0.05). Nearly all (96.2%) men evaluated by RUs indicated this was helpful for understanding their infertility. Our findings provide new insight into the male fertility evaluation experience. Despite the lower QoL seen by men seeing a RU, nearly all men reported that a RU evaluation was helpful for understanding their infertility experience.

Keywords:

• Male infertility
• psychology
• semen analysis
• andrology
• sperm quality

Disclosure statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.