International Men’s Day on November 19th
Experts raise alarm over the surge in male infertility and erectile dysfunction among younger Indian men; urge early screening and proactive lifestyle care
Chennai, November 12, 2025: The month of November is dedicated to men’s health awareness, specifically in connection to prostate cancer and testicular cancer. The Asian Institute of Nephrology & Urology (AINU), Chennai, to commemorate International Men’s Day, which will be celebrated on 19th November, has initiated a comprehensive Men’s Health Awareness Program to address the growing burden of male infertility, sexual health issues, and lifestyle-related urological disorders. Through this initiative, AINU aims to encourage men to prioritise their reproductive and sexual health, promote early screening, and foster open conversations around conditions often overlooked due to social stigma.
Speaking at the event, Dr Sanjay Prakash J, Clinical Lead – Ainu Andrology, Consultant Urologist & Men’s Health Expert said, “Men’s health continues to be one of the most under-discussed areas in preventive medicine. We are seeing younger men in their 20s and 30s presenting with fertility and sexual health issues that were once confined to older age groups. Through this program, AINU aims to normalise screening, raise awareness, and make early intervention accessible.”
Male Infertility on the Rise — An Alarming Trend Across India
According to the latest Indian studies, male infertility contributes to nearly 40–50% of all infertility cases, and in almost one in three IVF treatments, male factors are a primary cause.
Key national and regional insights presented at the event include:
- A 2023 study from a tertiary care centre in Gujarat found that 37% of the 2,348 men evaluated had abnormal semen parameters such as oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia or teratozoospermia.
- A 2023 multi-centre study covering infertility centres across India found that 72.1% of men had abnormal semen quality, with the highest incidence of azoospermia (14.2%) in the East zone, and the lowest (5.8%) in the South.
- A 2019 study reported that 60% of men between 30–39 years had abnormal sperm parameters, with asthenozoospermia (35%) and oligozoospermia (25%) being the most prevalent.
- Over the last 37 years, seminal parameters have shown a consistent decline of 1.27 million/ml per year, reflecting a significant drop in male fertility potential across generations.
Experts at AINU emphasised that urban lifestyles, chronic stress, obesity, diabetes, smoking, and exposure to environmental toxins are key contributors to declining male reproductive health.
Erectile Dysfunction (ED): A Silent Epidemic Among Younger Men
Once considered an issue of ageing, erectile dysfunction is increasingly being reported among men under 40.
- National data shows ED prevalence ranging between 16–25% in the general population, and up to 70% among patients with diabetes or hypertension.
- A recent study from the Vindhya region found ED prevalence of 18.5% overall, rising to 29.1% among men aged 18–30 years.
- A South Indian community observed a 15.7% prevalence, while other clinic-based data showed a steep rise from 6% in men aged 20–29 to over 50% in those above 40.
- One in ten Indian men currently experiences ED, with 25% of cases now reported below 30 years of age, compared to just 5–7% a decade ago.
Doctors at AINU highlighted that these issues are strongly linked to metabolic disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, which are rapidly increasing in India.
AINU’s Comprehensive Men’s Wellness Program
As part of its ongoing commitment to men’s health, AINU Chennai has launched a dedicated Men’s Health Wellness Program, offering a holistic evaluation covering sexual, reproductive, and metabolic health.
The program includes:
- Consultation with an Andrologist
- Hormone profiling (Testosterone, TSH)
- Diabetes and metabolic screening (HbA1C, Lipid Profile)
- Scrotal Ultrasound Screening
Semen analysis for fertility assessment
The initiative aims to encourage men to undergo routine screening, detect issues early, and adopt lifestyle changes to prevent long-term complications such as infertility, erectile dysfunction, and metabolic syndrome.
Dr Sanjay, while commenting on the subject, said, “The social stigma surrounding men’s reproductive and sexual health delays diagnosis and treatment. We want to change that conversation. The earlier these issues are identified, the better the chances of recovery and natural fertility. Screening is not an option but a necessity.”
About Asian Institute of Nephrology & Urology (AINU)
Asian Institute of Nephrology & Urology (AINU), part of Asia Healthcare Holdings, is India’s leading super-speciality hospital network exclusively focused on Urology and Nephrology. With 7 cutting-edge hospitals across 4 cities, AINU is at the forefront of delivering world-class kidney and urological care. Known for its clinical excellence, AINU offers advanced services including Uro-Oncology, Robotic and Reconstructive Urology, Pediatric Urology, Female Urology, Andrology, Neuro-Functional Urology, Kidney Transplants, and Dialysis. A trailblazer in Robotic Urological Surgery in India, AINU has treated over 500,000 patients, performed more than 1200 robotic surgeries, and operates a 500+ bed network. Accredited by NABH and recognised for postgraduate training programs like DNB and FNB, AINU continues to redefine standards in specialised care and innovation.
