Australia has introduced its first clinical guidelines for male infertility, marking a major shift in how reproductive health is managed. The guidelines were co-developed by researchers at Griffith University and give clinicians an evidence-based framework for assessing, diagnosing and treating male infertility.
Infertility affects about one in six couples, and male factors may play a role in up to half of these cases. Despite this, Dr Liza O’Donnell noted that Australia had never published clinical guidelines focused specifically on male infertility—until now.
Dr O’Donnell said the new recommendations encourage doctors to assess men at the same time a woman seeks infertility care. She explained that early identification of male fertility problems could prevent women from undergoing unnecessary tests and reduce the stress linked with difficulty conceiving.
Under the guidelines, the first step in evaluating male fertility should include a full reproductive and medical history, a physical examination, a semen analysis and a parallel evaluation of the female partner. If infertility is suspected, specialists in male reproductive health should guide further assessment. This may include hormonal testing and measuring testicular volume.
Additional tests may involve sperm DNA analysis, somatic genetic testing and imaging.
The guidelines also highlight the importance of counselling. Men should receive guidance on lifestyle factors they can modify, health conditions linked to infertility and the potential impact on their long-term health and future children.
Dr O’Donnell said the guidelines are freely available to the public, allowing men and couples to understand the medical advice behind their care. She believes this transparency can help patients ask informed questions, seek complete evaluations and improve their chances of conceiving.
She added that assessing both partners at the same time will uncover male fertility issues earlier and may change treatment decisions for many couples.
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