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Review
. 2023 Oct 15;59(10):1835.
doi: 10.3390/medicina59101835.

From Diagnosis to Treatment: Comprehensive Care by Reproductive Urologists in Assisted Reproductive Technology

Aris Kaltsas  1 , Fotios Dimitriadis  2 , Dimitrios Zachariou  3 , Athanasios Zikopoulos  1 , Evangelos N Symeonidis  2 , Eleftheria Markou  4 , Dung Mai Ba Tien  5 , Atsushi Takenaka  6 , Nikolaos Sofikitis  1 , Athanasios Zachariou  1
Affiliations
Review

From Diagnosis to Treatment: Comprehensive Care by Reproductive Urologists in Assisted Reproductive Technology

Aris Kaltsas et al. Medicina (Kaunas). .

Abstract

Infertility is a global health concern, with male factors playing an especially large role. Unfortunately, however, the contributions made by reproductive urologists in managing male infertility under assisted reproductive technology (ART) often go undervalued. This narrative review highlights the important role played by reproductive urologists in diagnosing and treating male infertility as well as any barriers they face when providing services. This manuscript presents a comprehensive review of reproductive urologists' role in managing male infertility, outlining their expertise in diagnosing and managing male infertility as well as reversible causes and performing surgical techniques such as sperm retrieval. This manuscript investigates the barriers limiting urologist involvement such as limited availability, awareness among healthcare professionals, and financial constraints. This study highlights a decrease in male fertility due to lifestyle factors like sedentary behavior, obesity, and substance abuse. It stresses the significance of conducting an evaluation process involving both male and female partners to identify any underlying factors contributing to infertility and to identify patients who do not require any interventions beyond ART. We conclude that engaging urologists more effectively in infertility management is key to optimizing fertility outcomes among couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology treatments and requires greater education among healthcare providers regarding the role urologists and lifestyle factors that could have an effect on male fertility.

Keywords: assisted reproductive technology (ART); infertility evaluation; infertility treatment; lifestyle factors; male infertility; reproductive urologists; sperm retrieval.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Diagnostic work-up by a reproductive urologist.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Triad of male infertility management: surgical, pharmacological, and lifestyle approaches.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Surgical procedure of mTESE highlighting dilated tubuli.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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