Publication:

Addiction to tobacco and alcohol in male partners of infertile couples: a descriptive study

Background In recent decades infertility has become a burdensome problem with its profound psychological, economic, demographic and medical complications. In an infertile couple male factor plays as much important role as that of female factor. Life style factors like addiction to tobacco, alcohol and drugs do have an effect on male fertility. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of addiction to tobacco and alcohol in male partners of infertile couples in a tertiary care center.

Methods This prospective cross-sectional study was undertaken in the department of obstetrics and gynecology, JIPMER, Pondicherry from June 2018 to October 2019. 440 male partners of infertile couples were included. The study participants were subjected to detailed history taking, examination and investigations to assess various parameters contributing to infertility.

Results Semen abnormalities were noted in 78.2% of the study population, among which azoospermia (19.8%) was the most common type. Addiction to smoking and alcohol was noted in 25.7% and 18.2% respectively.

Conclusions Smoking, alcohol intake and duration of addiction have a significant association with semen quality.