Is poor quality of life or depression associated with male infertility?

This study investigated if the quality of life (QOL) or depression is associated with male infertility. 

They found that poor QOL or depression were associated with sexual dysfunction, but not with sperm production or testosterone levels.

Male infertility is commonly associated with a low quality of life (QoL). Many men report more negative emotions and depression when diagnosed with infertility. The stress associated with low QoL and depression may affect male fertility. Stress can reduce sperm production. Low mood can also affect testosterone (male sex hormone) levels. Testosterone is involved in sperm production and erectile function. 

Some studies suggest there may be a link between low QoL and male infertility. Many of these studies included a small number of participants. The effects of QoL and depression on male infertility are unclear. 

This study included 708 men. These men were part of couples with unexplained infertility. Men in this study had a motile sperm concentration of more than 5 million cells. Testosterone level was measured. The FertiQOL score was used to measure QoL. Erectile dysfunction (ED) was assessed.

8.3% of men had depression. 14% of men had low testosterone. 9% of men had some degree of ED. QoL scores were not significantly associated with sperm parameters or testosterone levels. However, a lower QoL was associated with a 30% increase in ED rates. Depressed men were 6.31 times more likely to have ED.  

The authors concluded that poor QoL or depression was not associated with sperm production or testosterone levels but with ED.

This was a secondary analysis of a main trial. A full patient medical history was not available for analysis. This includes any medications that the participants were taking to treat depression.