Male Infertility Market Trends

Growth Drivers  

• Aging paternity rates: Globally, the age of men attaining fatherhood has increased leading to demand for infertility products. Delays in fatherhood can cause fertility issues owing to age-related decline in sperm quality and quantity. In 2022, Science Direct published a study stating that in the past 4 decades, the number of fathers conceiving a child for the first time in ages 30 to 34 increased by 15%, and in first-time fathers aged 35 to 49 increased by 63%. The increasing age in attaining fatherhood increases the infertility rate amongst men as sperm quality declines. This trend leads to greater demand for male fertility care leading to the growth that the market is experiencing currently.
• Technological innovations in ART: Innovations in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), vasal aspiration, testicular sperm extraction, and epididymal aspiration are addressing male infertility. In 2023, a University of California Health (UCSF) study indicated that fertilization rates of 70 to 80% are successful with ICSI procedures and in the UCSF IVF laboratory, the fertilization rate with ICSI stands at 80 to 85%. Innovations in fertility care research lead to more couples and single males seeking fertility care, and as the accessibility to quality fertility care improves in emerging economies, the market will continue to register a significant profit share.
• Growing impact of environmental, occupational, and health-related factors: The rising cases of infertility in men is driven by a range of environmental, occupational, and health related factors. For instance, in November 2023, Healthy Male, reported that light and heavy smokers have reduced sperm quality due to DNA damage in sperm. Additionally, diet, lifestyle changes, obesity, stress, and environmental factors are also increasingly affecting men. A 2020 study published in the National Library of Medicine found, idiopathic infertility as the most recurrent diagnosis in male infertility representing almost 44% of cases. As awareness rises on health, lifestyle choices, and the treatment available, the demand for early testing and treatment is increasing manifolds.

Challenges

• High cost of treatment: A major constraint of the market is the high cost of ICSI, IVF, and other treatments. Advanced fertility care treatment for males requires multiple cycles that scale up the cost making it unaffordable for many patients. Many patients who do not have comprehensive insurance coverage struggle to finish the treatment cycle. Additionally, fertility clinics and services are concentrated in urban areas limiting accessibility to developing regions. The disparity in the availability of treatment along with the high cost can stymy the male infertility market growth.
• Social stigma and lack of awareness in emerging economies: Despite growing awareness and sponsored awareness drives, male infertility continues to remain a sensitive topic. Many men may be reluctant to seek fertility care due to cultural and social pressure. Prevailing tropes on masculinity can negatively affect men’s willingness to seek professional help. Additionally, the awareness drives in emerging economies is comparatively slower which can reduce the rate of market growth in certain developing regions.