Infertility: Urological Aspects

For the couple experiencing fertility problems, management is frequently directed by gynaecologists, who focus mainly upon treatment of the woman, often using in vitro fertilisation. However, in up to 40% of couples, the failure to conceive is attributable to a problem affecting the man. Consequently, the woman may undergo expensive and stressful procedures with limited success rates, whereas effective treatment could be provided by a urologist working in collaboration with the gynaecologist. In cases of obstructive azoospermia, for example, reconstructive surgery of the vas deferens or epididymis may successfully restore fertility.