Restorative Andrology

By RRM Academy Reviewed by Dr. Naomi Whittaker, MD, Board-Certified OBGYN, MIGS, NFPMC, FCI Updated May 14, 2026

Restorative Andrology is an approach to male fertility evaluation and treatment that prioritizes identifying and correcting the underlying causes of male factor infertility rather than bypassing them with sperm-retrieval procedures. Male factor is the sole cause of infertility in approximately 20% of couples and a contributing factor in another 30-40%.¹ Identifiable and correctable causes include varicocele (the most common treatable male factor), sperm DNA fragmentation, oxidative stress, hormonal imbalance, and ductal obstruction.²³⁴ Surgical correction restores the male partner's contribution to natural conception where anatomy or obstruction is the underlying problem.⁴⁵ Vasectomy reversal is a restorative option for couples where prior vasectomy is the barrier. Full semen analysis per WHO reference criteria is the starting point for male evaluation.⁶ Restorative andrology stands in contrast to the standard convention of proceeding directly to ICSI, which bypasses male pathology without treating it and carries procedural risks of its own.⁷

This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult an RRM clinician or healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation.