Survey on Male Infertility Awareness Among 150 Men Undergoing Fertility Treatment: 60% Have Undergone Semen Analysis, 44.0% Misunderstand Semen Analysis and "Varicocele Echo Examination" as the Same

Ginza Reproduce Clinic (Location: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Director: Koichi Nagao), which specializes in male infertility treatment using the “Nagao Method,” conducted a screening survey targeting 1,000 men using Cross Marketing Inc.'s self-service questionnaire tool “QiQUMO.” Among these, a survey on "Approach to Male Infertility" was conducted on 150 men out of 172 men in their 20s to 40s who responded that they were "currently undergoing fertility treatment" as of April 6, 2026, and from whom valid responses were obtained.

"Survey on Approach to Male Infertility" conducted on 150 men undergoing fertility treatment (According to Ginza Reproduce Clinic)

The survey results showed that 86.0% (129 respondents) were aware that "half of infertility causes are attributed to men," and 60.7% (91 respondents) had experienced semen analysis. On the other hand, only 50.0% (75 respondents) fully understood varicocele, one of the causes of male infertility. Additionally, 44.0% (66 respondents) did not know that semen analysis and echo examination to confirm the presence of varicocele are different tests (they mistakenly thought they were the same test).

It is clear that while interest in male infertility and examination behaviors are spreading among men undergoing fertility treatment, there is still a gap in understanding information regarding the confirmation of "varicocele" other than semen analysis.

Awareness of male infertility causes is 86.0%. Results show increasing information sensitivity among men undergoing fertility treatment.

86% of 150 men undergoing fertility treatment recognize that infertility is also caused by men (According to Ginza Reproduce Clinic)

When 150 men currently undergoing fertility treatment were asked if they knew that "half of infertility causes are said to be attributed to men," 86.0% (129 respondents) answered "Yes, I know." On the other hand, 14.0% (21 respondents) answered "No, I don't know." While fertility treatment often focuses on women's hospital visits and physical burden, these results indicate that a high percentage of men recognize the possibility of male factors being the cause.

Information sensitivity among men regarding fertility treatment is increasing, suggesting that men are beginning to perceive fertility treatment as their own issue.

60.7% have experienced semen analysis. Male-side confirmation behaviors are spreading.

60% of men undergoing fertility treatment reported having undergone semen analysis (According to Ginza Reproduce Clinic)

When asked about their experience with semen analysis, 60.7% (91 respondents) answered "Yes, I have," and 39.3% (59 respondents) answered "No, I haven't."

Semen analysis is a typical examination to check the male's condition, including sperm count and motility. The fact that 60% of men undergoing fertility treatment have experienced semen analysis indicates that men are increasingly taking action to confirm their fertility status. In a survey conducted by Ginza Reproduce Clinic in February 2026 targeting 200 working women undergoing fertility treatment, 54.0% of their partners had undergone semen analysis.

The current male survey also showed that 60.7% (91 respondents) had experienced semen analysis, indicating that male-side confirmation behaviors in fertility treatment are spreading to some extent based on both male and female surveys.

50.0% fully understand varicocele. Including those who have only heard the name, it is 72.0%.

Among 150 men undergoing fertility treatment, awareness of varicocele was relatively high (According to Ginza Reproduce Clinic)

When asked about "varicocele," one of the causes of male infertility, 50.0% (75 respondents) answered "Yes, I understand the content." Additionally, 22.0% (33 respondents) answered "I've heard the name, but don't know the details," and 28.0% (42 respondents) answered "No, I don't know." This means that a total of 72.0% (108 respondents) either "understand the content" or "have heard the name" about varicocele.

While the entry point for fertility treatment is often obstetrics and gynecology clinics or fertility treatment clinics, opportunities to learn about varicocele in detail are limited. Despite this, half of the men undergoing fertility treatment understand varicocele in detail. Dr. Koichi Nagao, Director of Ginza Reproduce Clinic, commented, "I think these 150 men are very proactive and their approach to fertility treatment is wonderful. Their wives must be grateful."

Reasons for not knowing varicocele in detail: "Haven't researched it" and "No opportunity to learn even if researched" are top reasons.

Reasons for not understanding varicocele are primarily "haven't researched" and "no opportunity to learn" (According to Ginza Reproduce Clinic)

On the other hand, 75 respondents who answered "I've heard the name, but don't know the details" or "No, I don't know" about varicocele were asked why they didn't know the details. The most common answer was "I haven't particularly researched it," at 38.7% (29 respondents). This was followed by "I had no opportunity to learn even if I researched male infertility," at 37.3% (28 respondents).

It's not that men undergoing fertility treatment are indifferent to male infertility, but rather that information gathering and examinations...