What you need to know about new male contraceptives and other treatment options
As interest grows in nonhormonal and reversible male contraceptives, self-insured companies and plan sponsors – along with third party administrators, brokers, benefits consultants and captives — can contribute to employee well-being by incorporating family-forming benefits into their benefits packages.
Acknowledging the clear demand for newly introduced products and services to meet the challenges of male infertility and family building, ARC Fertility stands out with its unwavering commitment to providing information, credible guidance and inclusive care for all.
Male Infertility – Why Now?
We are shining a light on the subject of male infertility in response to recent news that may be reaching the desktops of employers and employees: Contraline, a medical device company, shared promising data from a clinical trial for its male contraceptive gel, Adam. This nonhormonal hydrogel, often dubbed the “IUD for men,” has shown effectiveness in blocking sperm flow to the vas deferens. With over 20 successful implantations and no reported adverse events, Adam presents a potential game-changer in the realm of male contraception, although continued clinical trials are still underway and regulatory approval will be required. The product will potentially be available by 2026-2027.
While this announcement is significant, ARC Fertility has a longstanding commitment to helping both males and females overcome family-forming challenges and offers information and current options regarding male fertility treatments:
Did You Know?
Not all male infertility is permanent or untreatable; it is not uncommon for men to treat infertility through one or a combination of actions, even though the clinical effectiveness of many of these treatments has not been proven.
- Avoiding damaging environmental factors, such as smoking, heat exposure, heavy exercise, toxicants, certain drugs or excessive alcohol
- Reducing stress
- Taking medications, which include antibiotics (if an infection is suspected); fertility medications (Clomiphene, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) or LH/FSH injections)
- Vitamins, such as folic acid, zinc or L-carnitine
- Antioxidants
- Alternative medicine. However, certain types of herbs may be harmful. Acupuncture is generally not harmful or helpful.
- Surgery, such as reversing a vasectomy or repairing a condition called a varicocele, in which the veins inside the scrotum are enlarged
- Intra-uterine insemination (IUI) may enable more moving sperm to be placed closer to the eggs at the right time and improve fertility in cases in which appropriate timing of intercourse or other cervical factors create unfavorable circumstances for pregnancy through sexual intercourse
- In vitro fertilization, which is usually done via a process called Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
Understanding Male Infertility
Male infertility is caused primarily by male factors encompassing: abnormal semen parameters or function; anatomical, endocrine, genetic, functional or immunological abnormalities of the reproductive system; chronic illness; and sexual conditions incompatible with the ability to deposit semen in the vagina.
According to the World Health Organization and the International Committee Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ICMART), failure to get pregnant is defined as clinical infertility if pregnancy is not established after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.
While either one or both of the partners may contribute to the reproductive challenges of the couple, male infertility, like female infertility, is a clinical diagnosis that can only be determined after formal assessment and testing.
How common is male infertility?
At least one in eight couples have trouble getting pregnant or sustaining a pregnancy. Approximately one-third of infertility is attributed to the female partner, one-third attributed to the male partner and one-third is caused by a combination of problems in both partners or, is unexplained.
Male infertility is more common in environments with high levels of environmental pollution, including water contaminants, pesticides and herbicides. Some recent population studies have suggested that sperm counts have been declining universally even though infertility has not been increasing substantially.
Causes of Male Infertility
In at least half of male infertility cases, doctors cannot identify an exact cause. For the remaining cases, infertility is either due to male reproductive system functional or anatomic abnormalities, environmental, genetic or other identifiable factors.
Common Environmental Causes of Male Infertility
- Excess heat, for example due to the male’s occupation, such as truck drivers, welders, or firefighters, or habits, such as excessive use of the hot tub or tight clothing.
- Drugs, including certain antibiotics and prescription medicines, anabolic steroids, alcohol, marijuana.
- Toxicants, such as pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, lead, mercury, or paint
- Stress
- Excess exercise, including bicycling
- Chronic disease, such as anemia, malnutrition, cancer, neurological disease, or diabetes
- Dietary deficiencies, such as zinc, vitamin C, folic acid
- Varicocele, a condition in which the veins enlarge inside the scrotum
- Diseases of the male genital tract, including infection, cancer, trauma, or retrograde ejaculation
- Surgery on the male genital tract, such as for the treatment of an undescended testicle, or hernia
- Obesity
Genetic Causes of Male Infertility
- Mutations inside the genes that determine the male sex, called the Y-chromosome
- Other irregular changes in the genes. For instance, some men have a condition called Klinefelter’s XXY syndrome in which they have an extra copy of the female-sex determining genes (the X chromosome)
- Hormonal issues, such as: diabetes, high levels of the milk-producing hormone prolactin, or problems with the hormone-producing organs like the thyroid or adrenal gland
Turn to ARC Fertility for Solutions
Recognizing the diverse paths individuals and couples take in their family-forming journeys, ARC Fertility ensures that its services cater to everyone, irrespective of sexual orientation, gender identity or relationship status.
For employers seeking to create a workplace that champions inclusivity and employee well-being, ARC Fertility’s commitment to inclusive care is a valuable asset. Inclusive family-forming benefits not only contribute to a supportive workplace culture but also play a significant role in attracting and retaining top talent. Employees feel empowered when they know their employer values and supports their individual family-building journey.
ARC Fertility goes beyond conventional support by offering virtual support through its nationwide network of top-tier fertility specialists. In a world where geographical barriers can limit access to support, ARC Fertility’s virtual network ensures that individuals, regardless of their location, can benefit from a supportive community. This unique virtual network provides a platform for individuals to connect, share experiences and seek guidance.
Redefining Family-Forming Benefits with ARC Fertility
Employers can be at the forefront of this transformative shift by exploring inclusive family-forming benefits. Incorporating innovative solutions like Adam into benefits packages aligns with the evolving needs and expectations of a diverse workforce. Join the movement, redefine family-forming benefits and create a workplace that empowers employees at every step of their family-building journey.
Discover more about ARC Fertility and stay informed about the latest advancements in family-forming benefits. Visit ARC Fertility today.
