Male infertility: a challenge for primary health care providers

Male infertility is a poorly understood problem that often receives awkward management from health care providers. Some abnormalities of the male reproductive system that lead to infertility can be treated successfully, others cannot. Any diagnosis of infertility can create an emotional crisis for the infertile male and his partner, which requires support, understanding and counseling from clinicians. This article examines the process of evaluating reproductive function, determining patient needs, establishing a plan of care and understanding treatment options for the infertile male.