Male infertility remains underrepresented on French assisted reproduction centers' websites.

INTRODUCTION

Male infertility contributes to approximately half of infertility cases, yet patient-oriented information provided by assisted reproductive technology (ART) centers may remain predominantly focused on female factors. This study assessed the availability and scope of information on male infertility and the representation of urologists/andrologists on French ART center websites.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional content analysis of the official patient-oriented websites of all clinical ART centers listed in the 2026 national registry of the Agence de la biomédecine (ABM). Websites were independently evaluated by two investigators using a standardized 24-variable extraction grid covering multidisciplinary team composition, sex-specific information, male infertility investigations and aetiologies, and andrological treatments. Paired male-female comparisons were performed using exact McNemar tests, and associations with the presence of an identified urologist/andrologist were assessed using two-sided Fisher's exact tests.

RESULTS

Among 109 clinical ART centers identified in the ABM registry, 107 (98.2%) had an active and accessible patient-oriented website and were included. A urologist/andrologist was identified on 36 websites (33.6%), with direct contact information available on 9 (8.4%). Dedicated information on male infertility was available on 19 websites (17.8%), compared with 32 (29.9%) for female infertility (p = 0.0044). Male-specific treatment information was provided on 26 websites (24.3%), compared with 49 (45.8%) for female-specific treatments (p = 0.0001). Semen analysis was described on 44 websites (41.1%), whereas information on potentially treatable male infertility conditions and andrological surgical procedures was less frequently reported. Websites identifying a urologist/andrologist showed numerically higher proportions of several male-oriented information items, but none of these between-group differences reached statistical significance.

CONCLUSION

Male infertility and andrological care remain underrepresented on French ART center websites compared with female infertility information. Improving the visibility of urologists/andrologists and providing clearer information on male infertility assessment and referral pathways could contribute to more balanced, couple-centered patient information.