New Australian Guidelines Released for Male Infertility Care
11 Nov 2025
The first Australian guidelines for male infertility have been published, providing clear, evidence-based advice for GPs and other clinicians involved in the diagnosis and management of male infertility.
Published in the Medical Journal of Australia, the guidelines aim to offer a unifying framework for healthcare professionals, addressing a long-standing gap in national guidance. Previously, while international guidelines existed, no Australian-specific recommendations were available, leading to inconsistent care.
Key Points for GPs
The guidelines include 80 recommendations, with eight directly relevant to GPs. Three key mandatory actions include:
-
Initial evaluation of male fertility should include:
-
Reproductive and medical history
-
Physical examination, including scrotal assessment
-
Semen analysis
-
-
Concurrent evaluation of the female partner.
-
Semen analysis should follow the WHO Laboratory Manual, with a second analysis performed six weeks later (or longer if indicated) if the first is abnormal.
Additional recommended actions for GPs include:
-
Ensure the female partner’s fertility status is assessed alongside the male partner’s evaluation.
-
Refer men with abnormal semen results or suspected male infertility to a specialist in male reproduction.
-
Avoid initial antisperm antibody testing and routine scrotal ultrasound.
-
Advise men to perform monthly testicular self-examinations until age 55.
Background
Research indicates infertility affects around one in six couples worldwide, with male factors being the sole cause in 20–30% of cases and contributing alongside female factors in another 20–30%.
Professor Rob McLachlan, co-author and Medical Director at Healthy Male, said the guidelines aim to standardise care, improve clinical confidence, and ensure men are actively included in fertility discussions.
The full guidelines are available on the Healthy Male website.
Source: Medical Journal of Australia; Healthy Male – Healthy Male Guidelines
