So much of the journey to parenthood for a heterosexual couple is focused on the female partner, likely because her part of the story is so visible. Similarly, if the couple faces infertility, the woman’s fertility is often the first line of investigation for couples struggling to conceive.
But is that the right approach? The evidence suggests no: a male infertility factor is present in up to 60% of the infertility that affects an estimated 12% of all heterosexual couples. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the causes of infertility are evenly split between male and female factors at about 30% each, with the remaining cases either having unknown or joint causes. Putting the infertility onus on just the female partner also plays a role in perpetuating stigma and blame for women struggling with an infertility journey. Not to mention, for same sex male couples, male-factor infertility could play a role in one or both partners.
Opening the conversation, and coverage, to include exploration of male-factor infertility at the onset of a family building journey can ease worry and save valuable resources for members and their employers. Let’s talk about how.
Dollars and sense: Streamlining potential costs (and reducing invasive procedures)
Investigating potential male and female fertility issues simultaneously can reduce time, stress and costs for both members and their employers. If it’s determined early on a male factor is causing infertility, then the members can move on to next steps quickly and reduce unnecessary and futile treatment.
A semen analysis is typically the first male fertility test. This test will let the doctor know if the male has a low sperm count or low sperm motility, as well as detect whether an infection or other factors are present that could affect fertility. The issue might be azoospermia, where there are no sperm present in ejaculate, and could indicate an obstruction or genetic issue. Cases of obstructive azoospermia and congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens might indicate the male carries the gene for cystic fibrosis, necessitating further genetic testing of the female partner.
In short, a semen analysis is an important test and potential biomarker of overall male health sometimes leading to further testing for comorbidities such as diabetes or testicular cancer. Identifying or ruling out male-factor infertility at the onset also means female partners can better understand their infertility treatment routes. For instance, mild sperm abnormalities where the female partner is younger might mean IUI as a first step treatment, versus more invasive and costly IVF treatments.
Time is of the essence
Aside from the financial costs, partners trying to conceive are typically operating on a short timeline to start or grow their families, especially as many individuals are waiting to conceive for personal or professional reasons. If a semen analysis does indicate a potential male fertility issue, the REI or OBGYN will refer the male partner to a reproductive urologist (RU) for treatment.
This referral is where a couple’s journey can become difficult absent a fertility care benefit that provides access to a comprehensive network of providers like Progyny. There simply aren’t that many RUs. While an estimated 1,300 REIs work in the U.S., they have only 300 to 350 RU counterparts.
The scarcity of RUs increases the challenges of couples experiencing infertility. First there’s the time spent trying to conceive before they realize there might be an infertility issue. Then there’s the initial evaluation by an REI. A referral to an RU sets off another search for a specialist and another set of insurance hoops—unless the couple already has access to a fertility care benefit like Progyny.
How Progyny provides support in cases of male infertility
Progyny’s fertility benefit has been designed for consideration of male-factor infertility from the onset, driving healthcare savings and providing partners trying to conceive with a better overall experience on their fertility journey:
- The Progyny Patient Care Advocate assigned to a couple helps them look at their situation holistically. That means when members are struggling to conceive, male infertility is considered as a potential challenge from the outset, not just when all female infertility conditions have been explored. Our PCA Member Match process that occurs during member onboarding also means a member can be matched with a male PCA with deep knowledge and experience supporting individuals suffering from male-factor infertility. It’s possible a less-invasive, less-expensive male treatment will be found before embarking on more costly and more difficult female-based assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments.
- If referral to an RU is needed, the couple has access to Progyny’s existing 50-state network of providers. A couple is not starting from square one and an internet search. Access to an RU and potential solutions are far more expedient for Progyny members, bringing them closer to answers and potentially building a family.
As you can see, partnering with Progyny to provide a fertility care benefit to your employees can be a win-win for both you and your team, helping your team achieve their family goals and keeping healthcare costs down overall.