Disease spectrum and treatment pattern in a local male infertility clinic

Abstract

Objective: To review the disease spectrum and treatment pattern in a local Male Infertility Clinic.

Patients & Methods: All consecutive new patients seen in a local Male Infertility Clinic between Jan 2011 and Dec 2012 were included. The demographics of male and female partners, semen results, etiologies and treatment patterns were analyzed.

Results: Between Jan 2011 and Dec 2012, 187 male patients with infertility were seen in a local Male Infertility Clinic. The mean age of male and female partner was 37.0 and 31.8 years respectively. The median duration of infertility was 3 years. 68 (37.6%) patients had azoospermia (50% obstructive and 50% non-obstructive). 87 (48.1%) patients had abnormalities in one to all semen parameters. 51(28.2%) patients had varicoceles and other common etiologies included vasal agenesis (12.2%), ejaculatory or erectile dysfunction (5.5%), drugs (4.4%) and endocrine causes (3.3%). 58(32.0%) patients had no identifiable causes. 23(12.7%) patients chose surgical treatment (e.g. varicocelectomy or reconstruction). 127(70.2%) patients requested referral for assisted reproduction.

Conclusion: The present study elucidated common disease spectrum in local male infertility patients. The proportion of azoospermic patients was much higher than contemporary western series. This might correspond to a high demand of sperm retrieval or reconstruction in the locality.