News

14th September 2005

2.5m men have fertility problems

More than 2.5 million men in the UK could have fertility problems according to new research.

In a report published by Norwich Union Healthcare, 202 GPs were surveyed and it was estimated that 9 per cent of the UK's 28.5 million men might have difficulty conceiving.

29 per cent of GPs are worried that low male fertility would have a detrimental impact on the nation's population in the future unless men changed their bad lifestyles now and a third thought declining male fertility will add to the aging population.

Sperm quality and number have declined over the last 30 years and nearly half of GPs have blamed smoking as the overwhelming main contributing factor, with 11 per cent saying alcohol was also to blame. 7 per cent blamed stress.

GP Ann Robinson said, "The results of this survey are shocking and should be a wake-up call to men and women that drinking and smoking too much not only gives you a bad headache in the morning but can affect your ability to start a family."

Male infertility accounts for about a third of couples' problems conceiving but over half of the 797 men surveyed by Norwich Union Healthcare believed women were most likely to suffer from fertility difficulties and only 12 per cent viewed their own fertility as a concern when thinking about starting a family.

Clare Brown, chief executive of Infertility Network UK, said, "It is commonly thought that women are the only sufferers of fertility issues but in around one third of couples who suffer from infertility, it is a male factor problem which is the issue.

"We would encourage men as well as women to consider their fertility and adopt a healthy lifestyle, even before they consider trying to conceive.

"Discovering you have a fertility problem has a devastating effect on people's lives and any steps which couples can take to minimise the chances of suffering infertility such as giving up smoking and cutting down on alcohol should be encouraged."

Dr Doug Wright, clinical spokesman for Norwich Union Healthcare, said, "The report clearly disproves the common misconception that women are the only sufferers of fertility issues.

"With the next generation facing increasing pressure as a result of declining fertility and mortality rates, it's only fair that men accept their responsibility in the equation and change their lifestyles now before it's too late."

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