Professional education
In brief
Latest news
Men’s health education for future health professionals
One of Andrology Australia’s priorities
is the education of health professionals
to ensure that they are conﬁdent in the
management and treatment of male
reproductive health disorders. While
education of current health professionals
continues to be a focus,
it is also important to ensure that there
is appropriate education of future
health care professionals in this area.
core curriculum. The working group will
also assist and advise in the development
of core curriculum and oversee an
extensive consultation process with all
Australian medical schools invited to
participate in the process.
The working group will provide advice
on the development and design of
resources, evaluate primary uptake of the
curriculum, and assist in the development
of strategy to ensure the curriculum
package remains current and up to date.
Congratulations to Katherine Cust, Health
Promotion Ofﬁcer at Otway Health in
Apollo Bay, and to Bernadette Rey of
Belrowes Medical in Queensland! Both
were placed in the draw after completing
recent online evaluations, winning an
iPod 1GB shufﬂe for their troubles.
Thank you to all who provided
their valuable feedback.
The aim of the working group is to develop
a medical curriculum structure that
comprehensively addresses men’s health
needs throughout their life. The working
group brings together a core consortium
of medical schools across Australia to
ensure that the consultation process and
curriculum that is developed is effective.
Endorsed Provider of health
professional education
Members of the Medical Curriculum Working Group (from left to right, top and then bottom row) are Mr Tim Smith (Australian
Medical Students Association), Professor Rob McLachlan (Director, Andrology Australia), Professor Ben Canny (Monash University),
Dr Megan Cock (Andrology Australia), A/Professor Tessa Ho (University of Sydney) and A/Professor Bu Yeap (University of Western
Australia). Not included in the photo is Professor David Wilkinson (University of Queensland).
Research round-up
Andrology Australia is proud to
announce its endorsement as a provider
of health professional education
through the Royal Australian College
of General Practitioners (RACGP).
Andrology Australia is now qualiﬁed to
deliver Category 2 Educational Activities
for general practitioners. Andrology
Australia is also in the process of
becoming an Accredited Provider for
the RACGP QA&CPD program, which will
allow us to develop Category 1 activities.
We need your help!
Your support is essential in
continuing the important work of
Andrology Australia and improving
the health and wellbeing of all
Australian men and their families.
Promoting good health in the workplace
Evidence suggests that lifestyle risk
factors such as obesity and living a
sedentary lifestyle are linked to both
male reproductive health disorders
and chronic disease including
heart disease and diabetes.
The pilot initially includes focus
group meetings with both ofﬁce and
outdoor maintenance staff members,
to better understand their current
physical activity levels and if any health
messages motivate them to exercise.
A pilot program has been developed
as a collaborative project between
Kinect Australia and Andrology
Australia, involving staff working in a
metropolitan and a regional Victorian
government local council ofﬁce.
Outcomes of the meetings are currently
being collated and will guide the
development of the project and education
resources to encourage men to participate
in physical activity programs.
The program aims to promote physical
activity in men by raising awareness of
general and reproductive health, through
communication of relevant health messages
within a workplace environment.
To thank you for your support of
Andrology Australia and men’s health,
all registrants of the Healthy Male
newsletter will receive a 2009 pocket
diary with this issue. Only one diary
is available per Australian resident.
Winners of evaluation prizes
From a preliminary scoping exercise, men’s
health education is generally limited and
appears to vary between medical schools
across Australia. To address the need for
a ﬂexible medical curriculum framework
on a range of men’s health disorders
in Australia, an Andrology Australia
working group has been established.
Project stages will include mapping
the current curricula of universities and
deﬁning the framework for building the
Diaries 2009
Both of the local councils involved already
offer various opportunities and policies to
promote physical activity in the workplace.
However, these are not clearly known or
understood by all staff members.
The pilot is supported by the Australian
Government Department of Health
and Ageing – Healthy Active Australia:
Community and School Grants Program.
For more information on the project,
please contact Ms Taletha Groves,
Education Liaison Ofﬁcer for Andrology
Australia; [email protected].
edu.au or phone 03 9594 7162.
Donations to Andrology Australia
will contribute to our community,
professional and research programs
in men’s health. Visit www.
andrologyaustralia.org or call 1300
303 878 to make a donation.
Do you have Klinefelter
Syndrome? Participants
needed
A major study looking at the
personal impact of Klinefelter’s
Syndrome (KS) is now underway and
is recruiting men diagnosed with
KS to complete a questionnaire.
To register your interest or
for more information, please
email your contact details to
[email protected] or
call Amy Herlihy on 03 8341 6370.
Agent Orange may be
associated with an increased
risk of prostate cancer
The herbicide Agent Orange was sprayed
by the United States in the former South
Vietnam during the Vietnam War from
1962 to 1971, and exposed veterans
were found to have an increased risk
of developing several types of cancer3.
However, studies have shown that there
was only a weak association between
exposure to Agent Orange and the
development of prostate cancer speciﬁcally.
With Vietnam War veterans now entering
their 60s, a new study has looked at the link
between Agent Orange and prostate cancer4.
The authors measured the relative risk of
developing prostate cancer amongst 13,144
Vietnam veterans who were noted as either
‘exposed’ or ‘unexposed’ to Agent Orange,
and were followed between 1998 and 2006.
Differences in patient and disease
characteristics including age, race, smoking
history, family history, body mass index,
prostate-speciﬁc antigen (PSA) level
and Gleason score, were assessed.
The study found that twice as many men
exposed to Agent Orange had prostate
cancer. Exposed men also developed the
disease at a younger age, and had a more
aggressive cancer than those who were
not exposed. The results suggest that
those exposed to Agent Orange should
be classiﬁed at high risk of developing
prostate cancer, in addition to men with
African-American heritage and men
with a family history of the disease.
It is known that during childhood
development, exposure to toxic chemicals
such as vinclozolin (a fungicide) increases
the risk of reproductive problems when
older. This new study is interesting
because it shows that normal, healthy
adult men may still be at risk.
Further understanding of the relationship
between Agent Orange and prostate cancer,
and the contributing factors is needed.
Agent Orange is just one of many toxic
chemicals that men are exposed to over
their lifetime that may affect reproductive
health. However, the association between
Agent Orange and prostate cancer in the
study is strong and should serve to inform
both clinical practice and future research
about the effects of Agent Orange exposure.
3
Institute of Medicine (IOM) Veterans and Agent Orange,
Update 2000. Washington, DC: National Academy
4
Chamie K, deVere White RW, Volpp B, Lee D, Ok J, Ellison
LM. Agent Orange exposure, Vietnam War veterans, and
the risk of prostate cancer. Cancer; e-pub 29 July 2008
The Healthy Male
Newsletter of Andrology Australia
Australian Centre of Excellence in Male Reproductive Health
Editor: Cassy Bezeruk
Andrology Australia
C/O - Monash Institute of
Medical Research
Postal Address:
Monash Medical Centre
246 Clayton Road,
Clayton Victoria 3168
Street Address:
27-31 Wright Street,
Clayton Victoria 3168
Telephone:
1300 303 878
Facsimile:
+ 61 3 9594 7111
Internet:
www.andrologyaustralia.org
Issue 28 – Spring 2008
from The Australian Government Department
of Health and Ageing.
Contents
2
Community education
Trekking the countryside
with Merv Hughes
2
Recent Events
Launch of new booklet
on preserving male
fertility
3
Focus on
Your Sperm – and how to
look after them!
5
Professional education
Men’s health education for
future health professionals
5
Research roundup
Promoting good health in
the workplace
Email:
[email protected]
Andrology Australia is administered by
Newsletter of Andrology Australia – Australian Centre of Excellence in Male Reproductive Health
Andrology Australia is supported by a grant
Monash Institute of Medical Research
6
In brief
6
Latest news
Myths of fertility
Having a healthy diet, exercising regularly,
watching your weight and not smoking are
lifestyle choices that beneﬁt your health.
But do they improve your fertility?
A new study has shown that while
young people are aware that negative
lifestyle factors can reduce fertility, they
falsely believed in fertility myths1.
The study, conducted in the UK, surveyed
110 female and 39 male university students
to establish their views on what effect a
range of health risk factors and myths would
have on women trying to get pregnant. Risk
factors included smoking, drinking too much
alcohol, and being of older age. Fertility myths
included not urinating after sex and lying down
for 10 minutes after sex, among others.
Findings from the study showed a lack
of full understanding of the factors
that can impact on fertility.
Although participants knew about the risk factors
for infertility, they were less aware of the factors
that had no effect on fertility. Those surveyed
wrongly believed that you can be more fertile
by ‘not doing’ something – that not drinking
wine will increase your chance of pregnancy.
A lack of knowledge about what can and
can’t affect fertility may mean that people
are unintentionally contributing to their own
future fertility problems. For example, they
may not understand that being overweight
could be affecting their chances of getting
pregnant. Also, having false beliefs may lead
people to delay seeking treatment such as
IVF when having difﬁculty getting pregnant.
This study shows that there is a need to improve
people’s knowledge surrounding fertility and
the risks and beneﬁts of their lifestyle choices.
It is likely that similar issue affects people’s
understanding of male fertility, and the
authors point to the need for more research to
determine the level of knowledge in relation
to lifestyle behaviours on male fertility.
1
Bunting L, Boivin J. Knowledge about infertility risk factors,
fertility myths and illusory beneﬁts of healthy habits in young
people. Human Reproduction 2008; 28:1858–1864
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From the Director
Male fertility is often taken for granted when
a couple is planning to start a family. By the
time the couple make that decision, few men
would be aware that they had already been
exposed to a range of factors that could impact
their ability to father a child. Infections, heat,
drugs, age, work environments, sporting and
recreational injury, and lifestyle issues such
as smoking, alcohol and obesity can all affect
fertility in men temporarily or permanently.
child may be better if they pay attention
to avoiding injury or infection and to their
overall health by exercising regularly, having
a healthy diet and watching their weight.
This edition of The Healthy Male focuses
on how men can protect their fertility
and raises awareness of the factors
that can impact on fertility in men.
DISCLAIMER
This newsletter is provided as
an information service.
Information contained in this newsletter
is based on current medical evidence
but should not take the place of
proper medical advice from a qualiﬁed
health professional. The services
of a qualiﬁed medical practitioner
should be sought before applying the
information to particular circumstances.
The number of babies born in Australia using
assisted reproductive technology such as IVF
has tripled in a decade2. In half of all IVF cases,
male reproductive complications are either the
exclusive problem or a contributing factor.
It is estimated that infertility affects 1 in 20
men. While often fertility problems are not
preventable, men’s chances of fathering a
Professor Rob McLachlan
2
Wang YA, Dean JH, Badgery-Parker T & Sullivan EA 2008.
Assisted reproduction technology in Australia and
New Zealand 2006. Assisted reproduction technology
series no. 12. AIHW cat. no. PER 43. Sydney: AIHW National
Community education
Trekking the countryside with Merv Hughes
Merv Hughes has been very busy over
the past few months in his role as
Andrology Australia Ambassador, travelling
across the country speaking at regional
community events to raise awareness of
men’s health and Andrology Australia.
In July, Merv went to Myrtleford in Victoria
to speak at two events organised by
Alpine Community Health Centre. Almost
300 students from three of the local
colleges in the area listened to Merv
speak about general health, wellbeing
and reproductive health. An evaluation
found that almost two thirds of the
students said they were more likely to
exercise more as a result of Merv’s talk.
Over 200 men ranging from 19 to 75 years
of age ﬁlled the local pavilion in Myrtleford
for an evening seminar, with the majority
of men going through a Pit Stop program
as they arrived. A survey completed by
attendees on the night provided positive
feedback, such as: “Merv touched on
issues I haven’t previously thought
to be important, and his words have
encouraged me to be more self aware.”
August saw Merv travel to Mackay in
Queensland and Rutherglen in Victoria.
The event in Mackay organised by the
local prostate cancer support group
attracted almost 120 men, with funds
raised from the night being donated to
Andrology Australia. Both Merv Hughes
and ‘Crackers’ Keenan spoke at the men’s
health event in Rutherglen to around
150 men, and a Pit Stop health check
was also available to those attending.
The most recent event had Merv back in
Melbourne speaking at the Ferntree Gully
Cricket Clubrooms for ‘Secret Men’s Stuff
08: The nuts and bolts of being a bloke’.
The event attracted almost 100 people
and included a number of speakers,
as well as a general expo beforehand
with free massages, café bar, basketball
and golf putting games with prizes.
Andrology Australia would like to thank
all those involved in organising these
successful events and for their support in
raising the awareness of men’s health,
in particular, male reproductive health.
Then it was back up to Queensland where
the Cooloola Men’s Health Network
held a public expo for men to promote
their health management in Gympie in
September. The event attracted over 500
Gympie and district residents, with stalls
from a number of health centres and a
Pit Stop health check also being offered.
Focus on: Your sperm – and how to look after them!
Author: Professor Rob McLachlan
Why do men need to be aware of their fertility
throughout their lives?
Whether young or old, with a current partner or not, men need to
protect their fertility so that natural conception can happen when they
are ready to have children.
To start a healthy pregnancy, men need to make large numbers of
sperm that are good swimmers, and that ‘know’ how to fertilise
the egg when they arrive. Sperm also needs to contain genetic
information (DNA) in good condition. Having regular sex also helps!
In many cases, there are no treatments to correct poor sperm
production, blockages to sperm tubes or when couples have difﬁculty
having sex, which means assisted reproductive technologies such as in
vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment is needed.
Whilst there are some causes of infertility that cannot be prevented,
there are things you can do to protect your fertility, protect your
partner’s fertility and lessen the chances of needing IVF treatments in
the future.
What infections can affect fertility?
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
STIs, particularly untreated gonorrhoea and chlamydia, can cause
blockages in the sperm tubes so that sperm are unable to move on
from the testicles (where they are produced) into the semen and
ejaculated. Surgery to ﬁx the blocked tubes is not always possible.
Prostate infection: ’Prostatitis’
The prostate sits underneath the bladder and adds ﬂuid to protect
sperm on their journey through the reproductive system. As the sperm
move through the prostate into the urethra, prostate swelling may
stop sperm from passing through the reproductive system. White
blood cells from the infection can also damage sperm. Some STIs can
cause bacterial prostatitis, so it pays to use protection!
Merv getting out and about promoting men’s health
Epididymo-orchitis
Recent events
Launch of new booklet on preserving male fertility
Andrology Australia has launched a new
men’s fertility booklet ‘Your sperm – and
how to look after them’ at the annual
Fertility Society of Australia conference
in October. The booklet provides a
summary of conditions, behaviours and
situations that can affect male fertility
and outlines the measures men can take
to preserve their fertility potential.
Developed in response to an increase in
both community awareness about male
infertility and in the use of IVF treatments,
the booklet encourages men to think about
their fertility throughout their life.
“It’s important that there’s a resource
available to men outlining how they can
best look after their reproductive health
and avoid fertility issues when they
decide to start a family,” said Prof. Rob
McLachlan, Director of Andrology Australia.
“While some causes of infertility
cannot be prevented, there are others
that can be managed or avoided.”
“In some cases where fertility may be
affected permanently, men also need
to be aware of options available to them
like sperm storage.”
Epididymo-orchitis (pronounced ork-eye-tis) is usually caused by an
infection in the urinary tract. This viral or bacterial infection happens in
the tube that carries sperm out of the testicles (epididymis), but also
spreads back into the testicle. Epididymo-orchitis can cause permanent
blockages and damage to the testicles (and the ability to make
sperm), but this is rare.
The booklet was reviewed and endorsed by
the Fertility Society of Australia and Access
Australia. Andrology Australia wishes
to thank all those who took the time to
review and provide input to the guide.
Mumps
‘Your sperm – and how to look after them’
is available to order from Andrology
Australia in hard copy on 1300 303 878 or
via email at [email protected].
The virus can permanently destroy the tubes that make sperm and
stop sperm production. Mild cases will still stop sperm production, but
only for a short time of six to 12 months.
A viral infection that can be caught by anyone at any age, mumps is
much more dangerous for adult men. Besides causing swelling of the
salivary glands, fever and headaches, it can also cause inﬂammation
and pain in the testicles.
Top Tips
• Practice safe sex – use a condom to stop transfer of infection to or
from your partner
• Young boys should be vaccinated against the mumps virus to protect
their fertility for the longer-term
Can heat damage sperm production?
Does lifestyle affect fertility?
What medical treatments can affect fertility in men?
To produce top quality sperm, the testicles need to be a couple of
degrees cooler than normal body temperature; the scrotum serves as
an ‘evaporative air cooling’ system. When it is too hot, the scrotum
cannot sweat and the testicles have trouble making sperm. In cases
where the scrotum has been too hot for too long, sperm production
can be reduced.
Smoking
Vasectomy
Smoking cigarettes can reduce fertility, with heavy smokers producing
up to 20 per cent fewer sperm. Smoking may also increase the
number of abnormally shaped sperm, making it harder for sperm to
fertilise the egg.
One in four Australian men in their forties have had a vasectomy
believing they will never want to have children again. A vasectomy
should be considered a permanent form of contraception and should
not be decided lightly; it is not easy to regain fertility later.
New evidence shows that sperm DNA (genetic material) is damaged
by the chemicals in tobacco smoke which may lower the chance of
healthy pregnancy and affect your child’s future health.
Surgery and sickness
Top Tips
• Avoid regular very hot baths or spas
• Wearing loose ﬁtting underwear such as boxer shorts may be good
for sperm count: while this is unproven, it seems a reasonable step
to take
Alcohol
Can drugs affect fertility levels?
Binge drinking and regular heavy drinking can cause liver problems and
affect a whole range of body functions. Sexual and reproductive function
can be affected and there may be damage to testicular function.
Treatments for cancer
Obesity
Radiation therapy and chemotherapy can cause long-term
problems with sperm production. As radiation attacks
and destroys rapidly dividing cancer cells, radiation
therapy for cancers in or near the testicles can easily
damage sperm-producing cells.
Studies show that obese men are less fertile than men of normal
weight, and have lower sperm counts and fewer numbers of sperm
that can swim well. Changes in hormone levels and too much heat
around the scrotum may play a part.
Prescribed drugs
Prescribed
drugs such as
cyclophosphamide
and salazopyrine
can cause long-term
fertility problems.
Antidepressants and
sedatives can also
negatively affect sexual
performance, and may be
linked to lower sperm counts.
Diet and vitamins
Foods including pumpkin seeds, parsley and vitamins such as
zinc, vitamin E and B12 are promoted as improving fertility in
men. While there is no strong scientiﬁc evidence to show that
speciﬁc foods or natural therapies improve fertility, having a
healthy diet is important for general health and wellbeing,
especially when trying to start a family.
Marijuana, cocaine, heroin and other illegal drugs can also
affect sperm production as they lower a man’s testosterone
levels and sex drive. Not having regular sex can make it more
difﬁcult to become pregnant.
Top Tips
• Ask your doctor about sperm storage before starting cancer
treatments
• When taking prescribed drugs that may cause fertility problems,
talk to your doctor about using other medications if you’re trying
to conceive
• Avoid using illegal drugs including steroids because all the risks
are unknown
Top Tips
• Men planning a vasectomy should consider storing sperm before the
surgery
• Wait several months after any major surgery or illness with a fever
before trying to conceive
What problems with the testicles can affect
fertility?
Undescended testicles
Undescended testicles or ‘cryptorchidism’ is when a man’s testicles
don’t move down into the scrotum before or just after birth. Testicles
‘stuck’ in the groin or the abdomen are too warm and the spermproducing tubes can be damaged. Even when surgically corrected
in early childhood, there is an increased chance of having fertility
problems later in life.
Top Tips
• Live a healthy lifestyle by watching your weight, have a healthy diet,
exercise regularly, don’t smoke and drink alcohol in moderation
• A healthy lifestyle will improve your quality of life and that of
your family
Illegal drugs
Anabolic steroids taken for body
building or competitive sports cause
acne, weight gain and mood changes, but also shrink
men’s testicles and stop sperm production.
Any type of surgery is a serious medical treatment and any procedure
using a general anaesthetic can lower a man’s sperm count for a short
time. Sickness with a fever can also reduce sperm production and it
can take several months for sperm counts to recover.
Does age play a part in fertility?
Research shows that as men approach middle age it may
take longer to get a partner pregnant. Having sex less
often, erectile problems or other serious health problems
may play a role, and the amount of semen, sperm movement
and perhaps sperm DNA quality is lower. Taking into account your
partner’s age is also important when starting a family as a woman’s
fertility levels naturally drop after the age of 35.
Twisted testicle
A medical emergency, a twisted testicle or ‘torsion of the testicle’
causes extreme pain and needs immediate attention. The testicle
twists in the scrotum and cuts off the blood supply, causing the testicle
to swell up and if left untreated can cause the testicle to die. Surgery
relieves the pain and saves the testicle.
Small testicles
Small testicles often signal problems with fertility or hormone levels. If
an adult male’s testicles are roughly the size of a green grape, it could
be a sign of low hormone levels or problems getting a partner pregnant.
Top Tips
Top Tips
• Men who had undescended testes as a child should check their
testicles regularly for lumps and visit a doctor if anything changes
• Develop a life plan with your partner which recognises that fertility
lessens with age and think about parenthood before the age of 35
• If a man experiences extreme pain in the testicle, he should go to
hospital immediately
Can your workplace affect your fertility?
• Men need to know what ‘normal’ testicle size is and if they are
small, should see their doctor for a full health check, including
measurement of the testicles
Exposure to harmful chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals, toxic
chemicals and radiation may affect the quality and quantity of sperm
men produce and should be avoided. Physical injury at work can also
affect fertility, so evaluate your work environment and make sure your
fertility is safe.
Top Tips
• For men who work in occupations that may affect fertility, it’s
important to wear protective clothing and follow all OH&S guidelines
Storing sperm for later
Particularly if undergoing treatment for cancer, semen samples may
be collected and frozen at a fertility clinic with liquid nitrogen storage
facilities. The collected semen may then be stored long-term for use
later in fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
Community education
Trekking the countryside with Merv Hughes
Merv Hughes has been very busy over
the past few months in his role as
Andrology Australia Ambassador, travelling
across the country speaking at regional
community events to raise awareness of
men’s health and Andrology Australia.
In July, Merv went to Myrtleford in Victoria
to speak at two events organised by
Alpine Community Health Centre. Almost
300 students from three of the local
colleges in the area listened to Merv
speak about general health, wellbeing
and reproductive health. An evaluation
found that almost two thirds of the
students said they were more likely to
exercise more as a result of Merv’s talk.
Over 200 men ranging from 19 to 75 years
of age ﬁlled the local pavilion in Myrtleford
for an evening seminar, with the majority
of men going through a Pit Stop program
as they arrived. A survey completed by
attendees on the night provided positive
feedback, such as: “Merv touched on
issues I haven’t previously thought
to be important, and his words have
encouraged me to be more self aware.”
August saw Merv travel to Mackay in
Queensland and Rutherglen in Victoria.
The event in Mackay organised by the
local prostate cancer support group
attracted almost 120 men, with funds
raised from the night being donated to
Andrology Australia. Both Merv Hughes
and ‘Crackers’ Keenan spoke at the men’s
health event in Rutherglen to around
150 men, and a Pit Stop health check
was also available to those attending.
The most recent event had Merv back in
Melbourne speaking at the Ferntree Gully
Cricket Clubrooms for ‘Secret Men’s Stuff
08: The nuts and bolts of being a bloke’.
The event attracted almost 100 people
and included a number of speakers,
as well as a general expo beforehand
with free massages, café bar, basketball
and golf putting games with prizes.
Andrology Australia would like to thank
all those involved in organising these
successful events and for their support in
raising the awareness of men’s health,
in particular, male reproductive health.
Then it was back up to Queensland where
the Cooloola Men’s Health Network
held a public expo for men to promote
their health management in Gympie in
September. The event attracted over 500
Gympie and district residents, with stalls
from a number of health centres and a
Pit Stop health check also being offered.
Focus on: Your sperm – and how to look after them!
Author: Professor Rob McLachlan
Why do men need to be aware of their fertility
throughout their lives?
Whether young or old, with a current partner or not, men need to
protect their fertility so that natural conception can happen when they
are ready to have children.
To start a healthy pregnancy, men need to make large numbers of
sperm that are good swimmers, and that ‘know’ how to fertilise
the egg when they arrive. Sperm also needs to contain genetic
information (DNA) in good condition. Having regular sex also helps!
In many cases, there are no treatments to correct poor sperm
production, blockages to sperm tubes or when couples have difﬁculty
having sex, which means assisted reproductive technologies such as in
vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment is needed.
Whilst there are some causes of infertility that cannot be prevented,
there are things you can do to protect your fertility, protect your
partner’s fertility and lessen the chances of needing IVF treatments in
the future.
What infections can affect fertility?
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
STIs, particularly untreated gonorrhoea and chlamydia, can cause
blockages in the sperm tubes so that sperm are unable to move on
from the testicles (where they are produced) into the semen and
ejaculated. Surgery to ﬁx the blocked tubes is not always possible.
Prostate infection: ’Prostatitis’
The prostate sits underneath the bladder and adds ﬂuid to protect
sperm on their journey through the reproductive system. As the sperm
move through the prostate into the urethra, prostate swelling may
stop sperm from passing through the reproductive system. White
blood cells from the infection can also damage sperm. Some STIs can
cause bacterial prostatitis, so it pays to use protection!
Merv getting out and about promoting men’s health
Epididymo-orchitis
Recent events
Launch of new booklet on preserving male fertility
Andrology Australia has launched a new
men’s fertility booklet ‘Your sperm – and
how to look after them’ at the annual
Fertility Society of Australia conference
in October. The booklet provides a
summary of conditions, behaviours and
situations that can affect male fertility
and outlines the measures men can take
to preserve their fertility potential.
Developed in response to an increase in
both community awareness about male
infertility and in the use of IVF treatments,
the booklet encourages men to think about
their fertility throughout their life.
“It’s important that there’s a resource
available to men outlining how they can
best look after their reproductive health
and avoid fertility issues when they
decide to start a family,” said Prof. Rob
McLachlan, Director of Andrology Australia.
“While some causes of infertility
cannot be prevented, there are others
that can be managed or avoided.”
“In some cases where fertility may be
affected permanently, men also need
to be aware of options available to them
like sperm storage.”
Epididymo-orchitis (pronounced ork-eye-tis) is usually caused by an
infection in the urinary tract. This viral or bacterial infection happens in
the tube that carries sperm out of the testicles (epididymis), but also
spreads back into the testicle. Epididymo-orchitis can cause permanent
blockages and damage to the testicles (and the ability to make
sperm), but this is rare.
The booklet was reviewed and endorsed by
the Fertility Society of Australia and Access
Australia. Andrology Australia wishes
to thank all those who took the time to
review and provide input to the guide.
Mumps
‘Your sperm – and how to look after them’
is available to order from Andrology
Australia in hard copy on 1300 303 878 or
via email at [email protected].
The virus can permanently destroy the tubes that make sperm and
stop sperm production. Mild cases will still stop sperm production, but
only for a short time of six to 12 months.
A viral infection that can be caught by anyone at any age, mumps is
much more dangerous for adult men. Besides causing swelling of the
salivary glands, fever and headaches, it can also cause inﬂammation
and pain in the testicles.
Top Tips
• Practice safe sex – use a condom to stop transfer of infection to or
from your partner
• Young boys should be vaccinated against the mumps virus to protect
their fertility for the longer-term
Can heat damage sperm production?
Does lifestyle affect fertility?
What medical treatments can affect fertility in men?
To produce top quality sperm, the testicles need to be a couple of
degrees cooler than normal body temperature; the scrotum serves as
an ‘evaporative air cooling’ system. When it is too hot, the scrotum
cannot sweat and the testicles have trouble making sperm. In cases
where the scrotum has been too hot for too long, sperm production
can be reduced.
Smoking
Vasectomy
Smoking cigarettes can reduce fertility, with heavy smokers producing
up to 20 per cent fewer sperm. Smoking may also increase the
number of abnormally shaped sperm, making it harder for sperm to
fertilise the egg.
One in four Australian men in their forties have had a vasectomy
believing they will never want to have children again. A vasectomy
should be considered a permanent form of contraception and should
not be decided lightly; it is not easy to regain fertility later.
New evidence shows that sperm DNA (genetic material) is damaged
by the chemicals in tobacco smoke which may lower the chance of
healthy pregnancy and affect your child’s future health.
Surgery and sickness
Top Tips
• Avoid regular very hot baths or spas
• Wearing loose ﬁtting underwear such as boxer shorts may be good
for sperm count: while this is unproven, it seems a reasonable step
to take
Alcohol
Can drugs affect fertility levels?
Binge drinking and regular heavy drinking can cause liver problems and
affect a whole range of body functions. Sexual and reproductive function
can be affected and there may be damage to testicular function.
Treatments for cancer
Obesity
Radiation therapy and chemotherapy can cause long-term
problems with sperm production. As radiation attacks
and destroys rapidly dividing cancer cells, radiation
therapy for cancers in or near the testicles can easily
damage sperm-producing cells.
Studies show that obese men are less fertile than men of normal
weight, and have lower sperm counts and fewer numbers of sperm
that can swim well. Changes in hormone levels and too much heat
around the scrotum may play a part.
Prescribed drugs
Prescribed
drugs such as
cyclophosphamide
and salazopyrine
can cause long-term
fertility problems.
Antidepressants and
sedatives can also
negatively affect sexual
performance, and may be
linked to lower sperm counts.
Diet and vitamins
Foods including pumpkin seeds, parsley and vitamins such as
zinc, vitamin E and B12 are promoted as improving fertility in
men. While there is no strong scientiﬁc evidence to show that
speciﬁc foods or natural therapies improve fertility, having a
healthy diet is important for general health and wellbeing,
especially when trying to start a family.
Marijuana, cocaine, heroin and other illegal drugs can also
affect sperm production as they lower a man’s testosterone
levels and sex drive. Not having regular sex can make it more
difﬁcult to become pregnant.
Top Tips
• Ask your doctor about sperm storage before starting cancer
treatments
• When taking prescribed drugs that may cause fertility problems,
talk to your doctor about using other medications if you’re trying
to conceive
• Avoid using illegal drugs including steroids because all the risks
are unknown
Top Tips
• Men planning a vasectomy should consider storing sperm before the
surgery
• Wait several months after any major surgery or illness with a fever
before trying to conceive
What problems with the testicles can affect
fertility?
Undescended testicles
Undescended testicles or ‘cryptorchidism’ is when a man’s testicles
don’t move down into the scrotum before or just after birth. Testicles
‘stuck’ in the groin or the abdomen are too warm and the spermproducing tubes can be damaged. Even when surgically corrected
in early childhood, there is an increased chance of having fertility
problems later in life.
Top Tips
• Live a healthy lifestyle by watching your weight, have a healthy diet,
exercise regularly, don’t smoke and drink alcohol in moderation
• A healthy lifestyle will improve your quality of life and that of
your family
Illegal drugs
Anabolic steroids taken for body
building or competitive sports cause
acne, weight gain and mood changes, but also shrink
men’s testicles and stop sperm production.
Any type of surgery is a serious medical treatment and any procedure
using a general anaesthetic can lower a man’s sperm count for a short
time. Sickness with a fever can also reduce sperm production and it
can take several months for sperm counts to recover.
Does age play a part in fertility?
Research shows that as men approach middle age it may
take longer to get a partner pregnant. Having sex less
often, erectile problems or other serious health problems
may play a role, and the amount of semen, sperm movement
and perhaps sperm DNA quality is lower. Taking into account your
partner’s age is also important when starting a family as a woman’s
fertility levels naturally drop after the age of 35.
Twisted testicle
A medical emergency, a twisted testicle or ‘torsion of the testicle’
causes extreme pain and needs immediate attention. The testicle
twists in the scrotum and cuts off the blood supply, causing the testicle
to swell up and if left untreated can cause the testicle to die. Surgery
relieves the pain and saves the testicle.
Small testicles
Small testicles often signal problems with fertility or hormone levels. If
an adult male’s testicles are roughly the size of a green grape, it could
be a sign of low hormone levels or problems getting a partner pregnant.
Top Tips
Top Tips
• Men who had undescended testes as a child should check their
testicles regularly for lumps and visit a doctor if anything changes
• Develop a life plan with your partner which recognises that fertility
lessens with age and think about parenthood before the age of 35
• If a man experiences extreme pain in the testicle, he should go to
hospital immediately
Can your workplace affect your fertility?
• Men need to know what ‘normal’ testicle size is and if they are
small, should see their doctor for a full health check, including
measurement of the testicles
Exposure to harmful chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals, toxic
chemicals and radiation may affect the quality and quantity of sperm
men produce and should be avoided. Physical injury at work can also
affect fertility, so evaluate your work environment and make sure your
fertility is safe.
Top Tips
• For men who work in occupations that may affect fertility, it’s
important to wear protective clothing and follow all OH&S guidelines
Storing sperm for later
Particularly if undergoing treatment for cancer, semen samples may
be collected and frozen at a fertility clinic with liquid nitrogen storage
facilities. The collected semen may then be stored long-term for use
later in fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
Community education
Trekking the countryside with Merv Hughes
Merv Hughes has been very busy over
the past few months in his role as
Andrology Australia Ambassador, travelling
across the country speaking at regional
community events to raise awareness of
men’s health and Andrology Australia.
In July, Merv went to Myrtleford in Victoria
to speak at two events organised by
Alpine Community Health Centre. Almost
300 students from three of the local
colleges in the area listened to Merv
speak about general health, wellbeing
and reproductive health. An evaluation
found that almost two thirds of the
students said they were more likely to
exercise more as a result of Merv’s talk.
Over 200 men ranging from 19 to 75 years
of age ﬁlled the local pavilion in Myrtleford
for an evening seminar, with the majority
of men going through a Pit Stop program
as they arrived. A survey completed by
attendees on the night provided positive
feedback, such as: “Merv touched on
issues I haven’t previously thought
to be important, and his words have
encouraged me to be more self aware.”
August saw Merv travel to Mackay in
Queensland and Rutherglen in Victoria.
The event in Mackay organised by the
local prostate cancer support group
attracted almost 120 men, with funds
raised from the night being donated to
Andrology Australia. Both Merv Hughes
and ‘Crackers’ Keenan spoke at the men’s
health event in Rutherglen to around
150 men, and a Pit Stop health check
was also available to those attending.
The most recent event had Merv back in
Melbourne speaking at the Ferntree Gully
Cricket Clubrooms for ‘Secret Men’s Stuff
08: The nuts and bolts of being a bloke’.
The event attracted almost 100 people
and included a number of speakers,
as well as a general expo beforehand
with free massages, café bar, basketball
and golf putting games with prizes.
Andrology Australia would like to thank
all those involved in organising these
successful events and for their support in
raising the awareness of men’s health,
in particular, male reproductive health.
Then it was back up to Queensland where
the Cooloola Men’s Health Network
held a public expo for men to promote
their health management in Gympie in
September. The event attracted over 500
Gympie and district residents, with stalls
from a number of health centres and a
Pit Stop health check also being offered.
Focus on: Your sperm – and how to look after them!
Author: Professor Rob McLachlan
Why do men need to be aware of their fertility
throughout their lives?
Whether young or old, with a current partner or not, men need to
protect their fertility so that natural conception can happen when they
are ready to have children.
To start a healthy pregnancy, men need to make large numbers of
sperm that are good swimmers, and that ‘know’ how to fertilise
the egg when they arrive. Sperm also needs to contain genetic
information (DNA) in good condition. Having regular sex also helps!
In many cases, there are no treatments to correct poor sperm
production, blockages to sperm tubes or when couples have difﬁculty
having sex, which means assisted reproductive technologies such as in
vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment is needed.
Whilst there are some causes of infertility that cannot be prevented,
there are things you can do to protect your fertility, protect your
partner’s fertility and lessen the chances of needing IVF treatments in
the future.
What infections can affect fertility?
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
STIs, particularly untreated gonorrhoea and chlamydia, can cause
blockages in the sperm tubes so that sperm are unable to move on
from the testicles (where they are produced) into the semen and
ejaculated. Surgery to ﬁx the blocked tubes is not always possible.
Prostate infection: ’Prostatitis’
The prostate sits underneath the bladder and adds ﬂuid to protect
sperm on their journey through the reproductive system. As the sperm
move through the prostate into the urethra, prostate swelling may
stop sperm from passing through the reproductive system. White
blood cells from the infection can also damage sperm. Some STIs can
cause bacterial prostatitis, so it pays to use protection!
Merv getting out and about promoting men’s health
Epididymo-orchitis
Recent events
Launch of new booklet on preserving male fertility
Andrology Australia has launched a new
men’s fertility booklet ‘Your sperm – and
how to look after them’ at the annual
Fertility Society of Australia conference
in October. The booklet provides a
summary of conditions, behaviours and
situations that can affect male fertility
and outlines the measures men can take
to preserve their fertility potential.
Developed in response to an increase in
both community awareness about male
infertility and in the use of IVF treatments,
the booklet encourages men to think about
their fertility throughout their life.
“It’s important that there’s a resource
available to men outlining how they can
best look after their reproductive health
and avoid fertility issues when they
decide to start a family,” said Prof. Rob
McLachlan, Director of Andrology Australia.
“While some causes of infertility
cannot be prevented, there are others
that can be managed or avoided.”
“In some cases where fertility may be
affected permanently, men also need
to be aware of options available to them
like sperm storage.”
Epididymo-orchitis (pronounced ork-eye-tis) is usually caused by an
infection in the urinary tract. This viral or bacterial infection happens in
the tube that carries sperm out of the testicles (epididymis), but also
spreads back into the testicle. Epididymo-orchitis can cause permanent
blockages and damage to the testicles (and the ability to make
sperm), but this is rare.
The booklet was reviewed and endorsed by
the Fertility Society of Australia and Access
Australia. Andrology Australia wishes
to thank all those who took the time to
review and provide input to the guide.
Mumps
‘Your sperm – and how to look after them’
is available to order from Andrology
Australia in hard copy on 1300 303 878 or
via email at [email protected].
The virus can permanently destroy the tubes that make sperm and
stop sperm production. Mild cases will still stop sperm production, but
only for a short time of six to 12 months.
A viral infection that can be caught by anyone at any age, mumps is
much more dangerous for adult men. Besides causing swelling of the
salivary glands, fever and headaches, it can also cause inﬂammation
and pain in the testicles.
Top Tips
• Practice safe sex – use a condom to stop transfer of infection to or
from your partner
• Young boys should be vaccinated against the mumps virus to protect
their fertility for the longer-term
Can heat damage sperm production?
Does lifestyle affect fertility?
What medical treatments can affect fertility in men?
To produce top quality sperm, the testicles need to be a couple of
degrees cooler than normal body temperature; the scrotum serves as
an ‘evaporative air cooling’ system. When it is too hot, the scrotum
cannot sweat and the testicles have trouble making sperm. In cases
where the scrotum has been too hot for too long, sperm production
can be reduced.
Smoking
Vasectomy
Smoking cigarettes can reduce fertility, with heavy smokers producing
up to 20 per cent fewer sperm. Smoking may also increase the
number of abnormally shaped sperm, making it harder for sperm to
fertilise the egg.
One in four Australian men in their forties have had a vasectomy
believing they will never want to have children again. A vasectomy
should be considered a permanent form of contraception and should
not be decided lightly; it is not easy to regain fertility later.
New evidence shows that sperm DNA (genetic material) is damaged
by the chemicals in tobacco smoke which may lower the chance of
healthy pregnancy and affect your child’s future health.
Surgery and sickness
Top Tips
• Avoid regular very hot baths or spas
• Wearing loose ﬁtting underwear such as boxer shorts may be good
for sperm count: while this is unproven, it seems a reasonable step
to take
Alcohol
Can drugs affect fertility levels?
Binge drinking and regular heavy drinking can cause liver problems and
affect a whole range of body functions. Sexual and reproductive function
can be affected and there may be damage to testicular function.
Treatments for cancer
Obesity
Radiation therapy and chemotherapy can cause long-term
problems with sperm production. As radiation attacks
and destroys rapidly dividing cancer cells, radiation
therapy for cancers in or near the testicles can easily
damage sperm-producing cells.
Studies show that obese men are less fertile than men of normal
weight, and have lower sperm counts and fewer numbers of sperm
that can swim well. Changes in hormone levels and too much heat
around the scrotum may play a part.
Prescribed drugs
Prescribed
drugs such as
cyclophosphamide
and salazopyrine
can cause long-term
fertility problems.
Antidepressants and
sedatives can also
negatively affect sexual
performance, and may be
linked to lower sperm counts.
Diet and vitamins
Foods including pumpkin seeds, parsley and vitamins such as
zinc, vitamin E and B12 are promoted as improving fertility in
men. While there is no strong scientiﬁc evidence to show that
speciﬁc foods or natural therapies improve fertility, having a
healthy diet is important for general health and wellbeing,
especially when trying to start a family.
Marijuana, cocaine, heroin and other illegal drugs can also
affect sperm production as they lower a man’s testosterone
levels and sex drive. Not having regular sex can make it more
difﬁcult to become pregnant.
Top Tips
• Ask your doctor about sperm storage before starting cancer
treatments
• When taking prescribed drugs that may cause fertility problems,
talk to your doctor about using other medications if you’re trying
to conceive
• Avoid using illegal drugs including steroids because all the risks
are unknown
Top Tips
• Men planning a vasectomy should consider storing sperm before the
surgery
• Wait several months after any major surgery or illness with a fever
before trying to conceive
What problems with the testicles can affect
fertility?
Undescended testicles
Undescended testicles or ‘cryptorchidism’ is when a man’s testicles
don’t move down into the scrotum before or just after birth. Testicles
‘stuck’ in the groin or the abdomen are too warm and the spermproducing tubes can be damaged. Even when surgically corrected
in early childhood, there is an increased chance of having fertility
problems later in life.
Top Tips
• Live a healthy lifestyle by watching your weight, have a healthy diet,
exercise regularly, don’t smoke and drink alcohol in moderation
• A healthy lifestyle will improve your quality of life and that of
your family
Illegal drugs
Anabolic steroids taken for body
building or competitive sports cause
acne, weight gain and mood changes, but also shrink
men’s testicles and stop sperm production.
Any type of surgery is a serious medical treatment and any procedure
using a general anaesthetic can lower a man’s sperm count for a short
time. Sickness with a fever can also reduce sperm production and it
can take several months for sperm counts to recover.
Does age play a part in fertility?
Research shows that as men approach middle age it may
take longer to get a partner pregnant. Having sex less
often, erectile problems or other serious health problems
may play a role, and the amount of semen, sperm movement
and perhaps sperm DNA quality is lower. Taking into account your
partner’s age is also important when starting a family as a woman’s
fertility levels naturally drop after the age of 35.
Twisted testicle
A medical emergency, a twisted testicle or ‘torsion of the testicle’
causes extreme pain and needs immediate attention. The testicle
twists in the scrotum and cuts off the blood supply, causing the testicle
to swell up and if left untreated can cause the testicle to die. Surgery
relieves the pain and saves the testicle.
Small testicles
Small testicles often signal problems with fertility or hormone levels. If
an adult male’s testicles are roughly the size of a green grape, it could
be a sign of low hormone levels or problems getting a partner pregnant.
Top Tips
Top Tips
• Men who had undescended testes as a child should check their
testicles regularly for lumps and visit a doctor if anything changes
• Develop a life plan with your partner which recognises that fertility
lessens with age and think about parenthood before the age of 35
• If a man experiences extreme pain in the testicle, he should go to
hospital immediately
Can your workplace affect your fertility?
• Men need to know what ‘normal’ testicle size is and if they are
small, should see their doctor for a full health check, including
measurement of the testicles
Exposure to harmful chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals, toxic
chemicals and radiation may affect the quality and quantity of sperm
men produce and should be avoided. Physical injury at work can also
affect fertility, so evaluate your work environment and make sure your
fertility is safe.
Top Tips
• For men who work in occupations that may affect fertility, it’s
important to wear protective clothing and follow all OH&S guidelines
Storing sperm for later
Particularly if undergoing treatment for cancer, semen samples may
be collected and frozen at a fertility clinic with liquid nitrogen storage
facilities. The collected semen may then be stored long-term for use
later in fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
Professional education
In brief
Latest news
Men’s health education for future health professionals
One of Andrology Australia’s priorities
is the education of health professionals
to ensure that they are conﬁdent in the
management and treatment of male
reproductive health disorders. While
education of current health professionals
continues to be a focus,
it is also important to ensure that there
is appropriate education of future
health care professionals in this area.
core curriculum. The working group will
also assist and advise in the development
of core curriculum and oversee an
extensive consultation process with all
Australian medical schools invited to
participate in the process.
The working group will provide advice
on the development and design of
resources, evaluate primary uptake of the
curriculum, and assist in the development
of strategy to ensure the curriculum
package remains current and up to date.
Congratulations to Katherine Cust, Health
Promotion Ofﬁcer at Otway Health in
Apollo Bay, and to Bernadette Rey of
Belrowes Medical in Queensland! Both
were placed in the draw after completing
recent online evaluations, winning an
iPod 1GB shufﬂe for their troubles.
Thank you to all who provided
their valuable feedback.
The aim of the working group is to develop
a medical curriculum structure that
comprehensively addresses men’s health
needs throughout their life. The working
group brings together a core consortium
of medical schools across Australia to
ensure that the consultation process and
curriculum that is developed is effective.
Endorsed Provider of health
professional education
Members of the Medical Curriculum Working Group (from left to right, top and then bottom row) are Mr Tim Smith (Australian
Medical Students Association), Professor Rob McLachlan (Director, Andrology Australia), Professor Ben Canny (Monash University),
Dr Megan Cock (Andrology Australia), A/Professor Tessa Ho (University of Sydney) and A/Professor Bu Yeap (University of Western
Australia). Not included in the photo is Professor David Wilkinson (University of Queensland).
Research round-up
Andrology Australia is proud to
announce its endorsement as a provider
of health professional education
through the Royal Australian College
of General Practitioners (RACGP).
Andrology Australia is now qualiﬁed to
deliver Category 2 Educational Activities
for general practitioners. Andrology
Australia is also in the process of
becoming an Accredited Provider for
the RACGP QA&CPD program, which will
allow us to develop Category 1 activities.
We need your help!
Your support is essential in
continuing the important work of
Andrology Australia and improving
the health and wellbeing of all
Australian men and their families.
Promoting good health in the workplace
Evidence suggests that lifestyle risk
factors such as obesity and living a
sedentary lifestyle are linked to both
male reproductive health disorders
and chronic disease including
heart disease and diabetes.
The pilot initially includes focus
group meetings with both ofﬁce and
outdoor maintenance staff members,
to better understand their current
physical activity levels and if any health
messages motivate them to exercise.
A pilot program has been developed
as a collaborative project between
Kinect Australia and Andrology
Australia, involving staff working in a
metropolitan and a regional Victorian
government local council ofﬁce.
Outcomes of the meetings are currently
being collated and will guide the
development of the project and education
resources to encourage men to participate
in physical activity programs.
The program aims to promote physical
activity in men by raising awareness of
general and reproductive health, through
communication of relevant health messages
within a workplace environment.
To thank you for your support of
Andrology Australia and men’s health,
all registrants of the Healthy Male
newsletter will receive a 2009 pocket
diary with this issue. Only one diary
is available per Australian resident.
Winners of evaluation prizes
From a preliminary scoping exercise, men’s
health education is generally limited and
appears to vary between medical schools
across Australia. To address the need for
a ﬂexible medical curriculum framework
on a range of men’s health disorders
in Australia, an Andrology Australia
working group has been established.
Project stages will include mapping
the current curricula of universities and
deﬁning the framework for building the
Diaries 2009
Both of the local councils involved already
offer various opportunities and policies to
promote physical activity in the workplace.
However, these are not clearly known or
understood by all staff members.
The pilot is supported by the Australian
Government Department of Health
and Ageing – Healthy Active Australia:
Community and School Grants Program.
For more information on the project,
please contact Ms Taletha Groves,
Education Liaison Ofﬁcer for Andrology
Australia; [email protected].
edu.au or phone 03 9594 7162.
Donations to Andrology Australia
will contribute to our community,
professional and research programs
in men’s health. Visit www.
andrologyaustralia.org or call 1300
303 878 to make a donation.
Do you have Klinefelter
Syndrome? Participants
needed
A major study looking at the
personal impact of Klinefelter’s
Syndrome (KS) is now underway and
is recruiting men diagnosed with
KS to complete a questionnaire.
To register your interest or
for more information, please
email your contact details to
[email protected] or
call Amy Herlihy on 03 8341 6370.
Agent Orange may be
associated with an increased
risk of prostate cancer
The herbicide Agent Orange was sprayed
by the United States in the former South
Vietnam during the Vietnam War from
1962 to 1971, and exposed veterans
were found to have an increased risk
of developing several types of cancer3.
However, studies have shown that there
was only a weak association between
exposure to Agent Orange and the
development of prostate cancer speciﬁcally.
With Vietnam War veterans now entering
their 60s, a new study has looked at the link
between Agent Orange and prostate cancer4.
The authors measured the relative risk of
developing prostate cancer amongst 13,144
Vietnam veterans who were noted as either
‘exposed’ or ‘unexposed’ to Agent Orange,
and were followed between 1998 and 2006.
Differences in patient and disease
characteristics including age, race, smoking
history, family history, body mass index,
prostate-speciﬁc antigen (PSA) level
and Gleason score, were assessed.
The study found that twice as many men
exposed to Agent Orange had prostate
cancer. Exposed men also developed the
disease at a younger age, and had a more
aggressive cancer than those who were
not exposed. The results suggest that
those exposed to Agent Orange should
be classiﬁed at high risk of developing
prostate cancer, in addition to men with
African-American heritage and men
with a family history of the disease.
It is known that during childhood
development, exposure to toxic chemicals
such as vinclozolin (a fungicide) increases
the risk of reproductive problems when
older. This new study is interesting
because it shows that normal, healthy
adult men may still be at risk.
Further understanding of the relationship
between Agent Orange and prostate cancer,
and the contributing factors is needed.
Agent Orange is just one of many toxic
chemicals that men are exposed to over
their lifetime that may affect reproductive
health. However, the association between
Agent Orange and prostate cancer in the
study is strong and should serve to inform
both clinical practice and future research
about the effects of Agent Orange exposure.
3
Institute of Medicine (IOM) Veterans and Agent Orange,
Update 2000. Washington, DC: National Academy
4
Chamie K, deVere White RW, Volpp B, Lee D, Ok J, Ellison
LM. Agent Orange exposure, Vietnam War veterans, and
the risk of prostate cancer. Cancer; e-pub 29 July 2008
The Healthy Male
Newsletter of Andrology Australia
Australian Centre of Excellence in Male Reproductive Health
Editor: Cassy Bezeruk
Andrology Australia
C/O - Monash Institute of
Medical Research
Postal Address:
Monash Medical Centre
246 Clayton Road,
Clayton Victoria 3168
Street Address:
27-31 Wright Street,
Clayton Victoria 3168
Telephone:
1300 303 878
Facsimile:
+ 61 3 9594 7111
Internet:
www.andrologyaustralia.org
Issue 28 – Spring 2008
from The Australian Government Department
of Health and Ageing.
Contents
2
Community education
Trekking the countryside
with Merv Hughes
2
Recent Events
Launch of new booklet
on preserving male
fertility
3
Focus on
Your Sperm – and how to
look after them!
5
Professional education
Men’s health education for
future health professionals
5
Research roundup
Promoting good health in
the workplace
Email:
[email protected]
Andrology Australia is administered by
Newsletter of Andrology Australia – Australian Centre of Excellence in Male Reproductive Health
Andrology Australia is supported by a grant
Monash Institute of Medical Research
6
In brief
6
Latest news
Myths of fertility
Having a healthy diet, exercising regularly,
watching your weight and not smoking are
lifestyle choices that beneﬁt your health.
But do they improve your fertility?
A new study has shown that while
young people are aware that negative
lifestyle factors can reduce fertility, they
falsely believed in fertility myths1.
The study, conducted in the UK, surveyed
110 female and 39 male university students
to establish their views on what effect a
range of health risk factors and myths would
have on women trying to get pregnant. Risk
factors included smoking, drinking too much
alcohol, and being of older age. Fertility myths
included not urinating after sex and lying down
for 10 minutes after sex, among others.
Findings from the study showed a lack
of full understanding of the factors
that can impact on fertility.
Although participants knew about the risk factors
for infertility, they were less aware of the factors
that had no effect on fertility. Those surveyed
wrongly believed that you can be more fertile
by ‘not doing’ something – that not drinking
wine will increase your chance of pregnancy.
A lack of knowledge about what can and
can’t affect fertility may mean that people
are unintentionally contributing to their own
future fertility problems. For example, they
may not understand that being overweight
could be affecting their chances of getting
pregnant. Also, having false beliefs may lead
people to delay seeking treatment such as
IVF when having difﬁculty getting pregnant.
This study shows that there is a need to improve
people’s knowledge surrounding fertility and
the risks and beneﬁts of their lifestyle choices.
It is likely that similar issue affects people’s
understanding of male fertility, and the
authors point to the need for more research to
determine the level of knowledge in relation
to lifestyle behaviours on male fertility.
1
Bunting L, Boivin J. Knowledge about infertility risk factors,
fertility myths and illusory beneﬁts of healthy habits in young
people. Human Reproduction 2008; 28:1858–1864
Subscribe Today!
Andrology Australia extends an
invitation to all to take advantage
of the FREE SUBSCRIPTION offer.
Call, fax or email us to register on our
mailing list and receive this regular
quarterly publication and other
items from Andrology Australia.
From the Director
Male fertility is often taken for granted when
a couple is planning to start a family. By the
time the couple make that decision, few men
would be aware that they had already been
exposed to a range of factors that could impact
their ability to father a child. Infections, heat,
drugs, age, work environments, sporting and
recreational injury, and lifestyle issues such
as smoking, alcohol and obesity can all affect
fertility in men temporarily or permanently.
child may be better if they pay attention
to avoiding injury or infection and to their
overall health by exercising regularly, having
a healthy diet and watching their weight.
This edition of The Healthy Male focuses
on how men can protect their fertility
and raises awareness of the factors
that can impact on fertility in men.
DISCLAIMER
This newsletter is provided as
an information service.
Information contained in this newsletter
is based on current medical evidence
but should not take the place of
proper medical advice from a qualiﬁed
health professional. The services
of a qualiﬁed medical practitioner
should be sought before applying the
information to particular circumstances.
The number of babies born in Australia using
assisted reproductive technology such as IVF
has tripled in a decade2. In half of all IVF cases,
male reproductive complications are either the
exclusive problem or a contributing factor.
It is estimated that infertility affects 1 in 20
men. While often fertility problems are not
preventable, men’s chances of fathering a
Professor Rob McLachlan
2
Wang YA, Dean JH, Badgery-Parker T & Sullivan EA 2008.
Assisted reproduction technology in Australia and
New Zealand 2006. Assisted reproduction technology
series no. 12. AIHW cat. no. PER 43. Sydney: AIHW National
Professional education
In brief
Latest news
Men’s health education for future health professionals
One of Andrology Australia’s priorities
is the education of health professionals
to ensure that they are conﬁdent in the
management and treatment of male
reproductive health disorders. While
education of current health professionals
continues to be a focus,
it is also important to ensure that there
is appropriate education of future
health care professionals in this area.
core curriculum. The working group will
also assist and advise in the development
of core curriculum and oversee an
extensive consultation process with all
Australian medical schools invited to
participate in the process.
The working group will provide advice
on the development and design of
resources, evaluate primary uptake of the
curriculum, and assist in the development
of strategy to ensure the curriculum
package remains current and up to date.
Congratulations to Katherine Cust, Health
Promotion Ofﬁcer at Otway Health in
Apollo Bay, and to Bernadette Rey of
Belrowes Medical in Queensland! Both
were placed in the draw after completing
recent online evaluations, winning an
iPod 1GB shufﬂe for their troubles.
Thank you to all who provided
their valuable feedback.
The aim of the working group is to develop
a medical curriculum structure that
comprehensively addresses men’s health
needs throughout their life. The working
group brings together a core consortium
of medical schools across Australia to
ensure that the consultation process and
curriculum that is developed is effective.
Endorsed Provider of health
professional education
Members of the Medical Curriculum Working Group (from left to right, top and then bottom row) are Mr Tim Smith (Australian
Medical Students Association), Professor Rob McLachlan (Director, Andrology Australia), Professor Ben Canny (Monash University),
Dr Megan Cock (Andrology Australia), A/Professor Tessa Ho (University of Sydney) and A/Professor Bu Yeap (University of Western
Australia). Not included in the photo is Professor David Wilkinson (University of Queensland).
Research round-up
Andrology Australia is proud to
announce its endorsement as a provider
of health professional education
through the Royal Australian College
of General Practitioners (RACGP).
Andrology Australia is now qualiﬁed to
deliver Category 2 Educational Activities
for general practitioners. Andrology
Australia is also in the process of
becoming an Accredited Provider for
the RACGP QA&CPD program, which will
allow us to develop Category 1 activities.
We need your help!
Your support is essential in
continuing the important work of
Andrology Australia and improving
the health and wellbeing of all
Australian men and their families.
Promoting good health in the workplace
Evidence suggests that lifestyle risk
factors such as obesity and living a
sedentary lifestyle are linked to both
male reproductive health disorders
and chronic disease including
heart disease and diabetes.
The pilot initially includes focus
group meetings with both ofﬁce and
outdoor maintenance staff members,
to better understand their current
physical activity levels and if any health
messages motivate them to exercise.
A pilot program has been developed
as a collaborative project between
Kinect Australia and Andrology
Australia, involving staff working in a
metropolitan and a regional Victorian
government local council ofﬁce.
Outcomes of the meetings are currently
being collated and will guide the
development of the project and education
resources to encourage men to participate
in physical activity programs.
The program aims to promote physical
activity in men by raising awareness of
general and reproductive health, through
communication of relevant health messages
within a workplace environment.
To thank you for your support of
Andrology Australia and men’s health,
all registrants of the Healthy Male
newsletter will receive a 2009 pocket
diary with this issue. Only one diary
is available per Australian resident.
Winners of evaluation prizes
From a preliminary scoping exercise, men’s
health education is generally limited and
appears to vary between medical schools
across Australia. To address the need for
a ﬂexible medical curriculum framework
on a range of men’s health disorders
in Australia, an Andrology Australia
working group has been established.
Project stages will include mapping
the current curricula of universities and
deﬁning the framework for building the
Diaries 2009
Both of the local councils involved already
offer various opportunities and policies to
promote physical activity in the workplace.
However, these are not clearly known or
understood by all staff members.
The pilot is supported by the Australian
Government Department of Health
and Ageing – Healthy Active Australia:
Community and School Grants Program.
For more information on the project,
please contact Ms Taletha Groves,
Education Liaison Ofﬁcer for Andrology
Australia; [email protected].
edu.au or phone 03 9594 7162.
Donations to Andrology Australia
will contribute to our community,
professional and research programs
in men’s health. Visit www.
andrologyaustralia.org or call 1300
303 878 to make a donation.
Do you have Klinefelter
Syndrome? Participants
needed
A major study looking at the
personal impact of Klinefelter’s
Syndrome (KS) is now underway and
is recruiting men diagnosed with
KS to complete a questionnaire.
To register your interest or
for more information, please
email your contact details to
[email protected] or
call Amy Herlihy on 03 8341 6370.
Agent Orange may be
associated with an increased
risk of prostate cancer
The herbicide Agent Orange was sprayed
by the United States in the former South
Vietnam during the Vietnam War from
1962 to 1971, and exposed veterans
were found to have an increased risk
of developing several types of cancer3.
However, studies have shown that there
was only a weak association between
exposure to Agent Orange and the
development of prostate cancer speciﬁcally.
With Vietnam War veterans now entering
their 60s, a new study has looked at the link
between Agent Orange and prostate cancer4.
The authors measured the relative risk of
developing prostate cancer amongst 13,144
Vietnam veterans who were noted as either
‘exposed’ or ‘unexposed’ to Agent Orange,
and were followed between 1998 and 2006.
Differences in patient and disease
characteristics including age, race, smoking
history, family history, body mass index,
prostate-speciﬁc antigen (PSA) level
and Gleason score, were assessed.
The study found that twice as many men
exposed to Agent Orange had prostate
cancer. Exposed men also developed the
disease at a younger age, and had a more
aggressive cancer than those who were
not exposed. The results suggest that
those exposed to Agent Orange should
be classiﬁed at high risk of developing
prostate cancer, in addition to men with
African-American heritage and men
with a family history of the disease.
It is known that during childhood
development, exposure to toxic chemicals
such as vinclozolin (a fungicide) increases
the risk of reproductive problems when
older. This new study is interesting
because it shows that normal, healthy
adult men may still be at risk.
Further understanding of the relationship
between Agent Orange and prostate cancer,
and the contributing factors is needed.
Agent Orange is just one of many toxic
chemicals that men are exposed to over
their lifetime that may affect reproductive
health. However, the association between
Agent Orange and prostate cancer in the
study is strong and should serve to inform
both clinical practice and future research
about the effects of Agent Orange exposure.
3
Institute of Medicine (IOM) Veterans and Agent Orange,
Update 2000. Washington, DC: National Academy
4
Chamie K, deVere White RW, Volpp B, Lee D, Ok J, Ellison
LM. Agent Orange exposure, Vietnam War veterans, and
the risk of prostate cancer. Cancer; e-pub 29 July 2008
The Healthy Male
Newsletter of Andrology Australia
Australian Centre of Excellence in Male Reproductive Health
Editor: Cassy Bezeruk
Andrology Australia
C/O - Monash Institute of
Medical Research
Postal Address:
Monash Medical Centre
246 Clayton Road,
Clayton Victoria 3168
Street Address:
27-31 Wright Street,
Clayton Victoria 3168
Telephone:
1300 303 878
Facsimile:
+ 61 3 9594 7111
Internet:
www.andrologyaustralia.org
Issue 28 – Spring 2008
from The Australian Government Department
of Health and Ageing.
Contents
2
Community education
Trekking the countryside
with Merv Hughes
2
Recent Events
Launch of new booklet
on preserving male
fertility
3
Focus on
Your Sperm – and how to
look after them!
5
Professional education
Men’s health education for
future health professionals
5
Research roundup
Promoting good health in
the workplace
Email:
[email protected]
Andrology Australia is administered by
Newsletter of Andrology Australia – Australian Centre of Excellence in Male Reproductive Health
Andrology Australia is supported by a grant
Monash Institute of Medical Research
6
In brief
6
Latest news
Myths of fertility
Having a healthy diet, exercising regularly,
watching your weight and not smoking are
lifestyle choices that beneﬁt your health.
But do they improve your fertility?
A new study has shown that while
young people are aware that negative
lifestyle factors can reduce fertility, they
falsely believed in fertility myths1.
The study, conducted in the UK, surveyed
110 female and 39 male university students
to establish their views on what effect a
range of health risk factors and myths would
have on women trying to get pregnant. Risk
factors included smoking, drinking too much
alcohol, and being of older age. Fertility myths
included not urinating after sex and lying down
for 10 minutes after sex, among others.
Findings from the study showed a lack
of full understanding of the factors
that can impact on fertility.
Although participants knew about the risk factors
for infertility, they were less aware of the factors
that had no effect on fertility. Those surveyed
wrongly believed that you can be more fertile
by ‘not doing’ something – that not drinking
wine will increase your chance of pregnancy.
A lack of knowledge about what can and
can’t affect fertility may mean that people
are unintentionally contributing to their own
future fertility problems. For example, they
may not understand that being overweight
could be affecting their chances of getting
pregnant. Also, having false beliefs may lead
people to delay seeking treatment such as
IVF when having difﬁculty getting pregnant.
This study shows that there is a need to improve
people’s knowledge surrounding fertility and
the risks and beneﬁts of their lifestyle choices.
It is likely that similar issue affects people’s
understanding of male fertility, and the
authors point to the need for more research to
determine the level of knowledge in relation
to lifestyle behaviours on male fertility.
1
Bunting L, Boivin J. Knowledge about infertility risk factors,
fertility myths and illusory beneﬁts of healthy habits in young
people. Human Reproduction 2008; 28:1858–1864
Subscribe Today!
Andrology Australia extends an
invitation to all to take advantage
of the FREE SUBSCRIPTION offer.
Call, fax or email us to register on our
mailing list and receive this regular
quarterly publication and other
items from Andrology Australia.
From the Director
Male fertility is often taken for granted when
a couple is planning to start a family. By the
time the couple make that decision, few men
would be aware that they had already been
exposed to a range of factors that could impact
their ability to father a child. Infections, heat,
drugs, age, work environments, sporting and
recreational injury, and lifestyle issues such
as smoking, alcohol and obesity can all affect
fertility in men temporarily or permanently.
child may be better if they pay attention
to avoiding injury or infection and to their
overall health by exercising regularly, having
a healthy diet and watching their weight.
This edition of The Healthy Male focuses
on how men can protect their fertility
and raises awareness of the factors
that can impact on fertility in men.
DISCLAIMER
This newsletter is provided as
an information service.
Information contained in this newsletter
is based on current medical evidence
but should not take the place of
proper medical advice from a qualiﬁed
health professional. The services
of a qualiﬁed medical practitioner
should be sought before applying the
information to particular circumstances.
The number of babies born in Australia using
assisted reproductive technology such as IVF
has tripled in a decade2. In half of all IVF cases,
male reproductive complications are either the
exclusive problem or a contributing factor.
It is estimated that infertility affects 1 in 20
men. While often fertility problems are not
preventable, men’s chances of fathering a
Professor Rob McLachlan
2
Wang YA, Dean JH, Badgery-Parker T & Sullivan EA 2008.
Assisted reproduction technology in Australia and
New Zealand 2006. Assisted reproduction technology
series no. 12. AIHW cat. no. PER 43. Sydney: AIHW National