The notion that infertility is a female problem couldn’t be more wrong when the actual reality is this: Men get it, too.
Global studies show that male infertility is the influencing factor in 30-40% of all infertility cases in the past decade. According to Prof. Christopher Barratt, a reproductive medicine expert from the University of Dundee, Scotland, global sperm count has been steadily declining in the last 40 years. This accounts for 1 in 20 men who have very low sperm counts that are not enough for natural conception.
This global sperm crisis closely mirrors the state in Singapore, where the number of men seeking infertility treatments is on the rise. If it continues, this trend can lead to a baby bust, where the low fertility rate causes population decline and low replacement levels.
Singapore Male Infertility by the Numbers
In recent years, Singapore has seen a significant increase in the number of men seeking infertility treatments in hospitals and fertility clinics.
Singapore General Hospital reported that for the last 3 years, the number of new male infertility cases has quintupled from 10 in 2015 to 50 in 2018.
The National University Hospital (NUH) saw a nearly 80% increase in male infertility cases, from 150 in 2015 to 270 in 2018.
Meanwhile, Virtus Fertility Centre Singapore registered a 72% increase in male fertility cases in 2 years, reaching almost 400 in 2017. Among the 400, poor sperm count and quality accounts for 80% of the cause.
Millennnial Cause and Effect on Male Infertility
The rising infertility rate in Singapore among both men and women can be attributed to an increasing number of citizens in peak ages (25-29 years old) choosing extended singlehood and later marriage—for a variety of reasons.
Many people have the misconception that only women should be concerned by their biological clock. On the contrary, the main causes of male infertility are low sperm count and poor sperm motility, both of which are caused by advanced age. Other causes of male infertility include hormonal, structural and environmental issues, injury to the reproductive organs and medical conditions.
The good news is that Singapore millennials are being made increasingly aware of infertility issues that were once thought of as taboo, and many men are also empowered to speak up, just as much as women are vocal about their fertility. Such actions have led not only to the rising number of male infertility cases in Singapore, but the easier accessibility of treatments to address them.
Most male infertility cases are treated by simply addressing the male cause. For instance, treating infections and repairing congenital abnormalities can enhance sperm quality and quantity. In certain cases, however, assisted reproductive technology (ART) is ideal. Techniques include intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF).
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