Background/Objectives: Varicocele repair can improve semen parameters and pregnancy rates in appropriately selected men; however, persistence or recurrence remains a common cause of treatment failure with ongoing infertility or scrotal pain. Because mechanisms and definitions vary across studies, counseling and salvage selection can be challenging. This review synthesizes contemporary evidence on why varicocele recur and provides an anatomy-informed approach to evaluation and retreatment. Methods: A narrative evidence synthesis was performed using PubMed/MEDLINE, prioritizing clinical practice guidelines, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and contemporary adult and adolescent clinical series addressing mechanisms of failure, diagnostic workup, and outcomes of salvage microsurgery and endovascular therapy. Results: Recurrence rates vary by technique and follow-up, with the lowest rates reported in contemporary microsurgical subinguinal series. The dominant drivers of failure are incomplete venous control and complex reflux pathways, including duplicated internal spermatic veins and missed collaterals such as cremasteric, external spermatic, gubernacular, and deferential veins. Clinical examination remains central; Doppler ultrasonography is most useful when pain persists or semen parameters and testicular growth do not improve. Venography can define culprit channels in complex or multiply treated cases and enables targeted embolization. Retreatment achieves high anatomic success with consistent improvements in semen parameters and meaningful pregnancy rates in available series, with modality-specific complication profiles. Conclusions: Recurrent varicocele should be managed with structured reassessment that links venous anatomy and the index procedure to the salvage option. Microsurgical redo is generally favored after non-microscopic repairs, whereas endovascular occlusion is often preferred after prior surgery or when venographic mapping is needed.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-unresponsive non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is a high-risk disease state for which early radical cystectomy remains the guideline-supported oncologic reference in surgically fit patients. Bladder-sparing therapy is necessary for patients ineligible for or declining cystectomy, but it is a preference-sensitive trade-off rather than an equivalent alternative: failure may permit high-grade recurrence, progression, and loss of a curative window. This targeted narrative review synthesizes the evidence for intravesical gemcitabine monotherapy, sequential gemcitabine-docetaxel, and the sustained-release gemcitabine intravesical system TAR-200/INLEXZO, updated through 4 August 2026. Because the review is not systematic and the evidence is dominated by single-arm and retrospective studies, cross-study comparisons are descriptive and establish neither superiority nor equivalence; many gemcitabine studies enrolled mixed BCG-failure cohorts that do not satisfy the contemporary definition. Gemcitabine monotherapy is active but shows declining disease control over time. Sequential gemcitabine-docetaxel has accumulated substantial multicenter observational experience, yet a 2026 retrospective comparison did not demonstrate improved high-grade recurrence-free survival over gemcitabine alone. TAR-200 achieved a centrally confirmed complete response at any time in 82.4% of patients, with a median duration of response of 25.8 months in the single-arm phase 2b SunRISe-1 study and is approved in the United States as INLEXZO for BCG-unresponsive carcinoma in situ with or without papillary tumors; no approved agent holds a papillary-only indication. Comparative patient-reported outcome evidence remains limited, and molecular markers, urinary tumor DNA and transcriptomic subtypes remain investigational rather than validated selection tools. Bladder-sparing treatment should therefore be phenotype- and label-aware, time-limited, and coupled to intensive surveillance with predefined triggers for cystectomy.

PURPOSE:Antioxidant (AOX) therapy has long been investigated for the management of male infertility. It has potential benefits, but persistent controversy affects its broad acceptance and clinical utility. This study aimed to develop standardized, evidence-based guidelines for AOX use by synthesizing the best available evidence and achieving global expert consensus. MATERIALS AND METHODS:A comprehensive literature review was conducted by senior experts of the Global Andrology Forum (GAF). Additionally, data on the real-life use of oxidative stress (OS) testing and AOX use obtained from the largest global survey of practicing physicians conducted by GAF, which served as a reference point for this study. In phase one, 151 international specialists (>5 years' experience) participated in a modified Delphi process to evaluate AOX therapy in male infertility. Experts reviewed draft statements and rated agreement on a 10-point Likert scale. Statements achieving >80% consensus (with score >7/10) were accepted. The original eight statements were expanded to 19 and finalized into 18. In phase two, 84 senior physicians (>10 years' experience) graded the Delphi-approved statements using the GRADE approach. RESULTS:Four out of the 18 statements failed to reach consensus and were excluded. Of the final 14 statements, seven (50%) were graded as "Strong" and seven (50%) as "Weak." Current evidence indicates that AOX therapy can reduce OS, improve sperm quality, and potentially enhance reproductive outcomes. However, benefits vary by agent, regimen, and patient population. The guidelines emphasize the need to document OS and to consider underlying factors before initiating AOX therapy, and caution against indiscriminate or prolonged use. CONCLUSIONS:Developed through a dual-validation process and endorsed by a globally diverse expert panel, these GAF guidelines represent the first standardized, evidence-based guidelines for AOX use in male infertility. By addressing heterogeneity in research and practice, they provide clinicians with practical, safe, and patient-centered recommendations for rational AOX therapy worldwide.

Background/Objectives: Varicocele is usually clinically left-sided, but imaging and mechanistic studies suggest that contralateral venous reflux or bilateral testicular effects may be more common than physical examination indicates. This narrative review critically examines whether varicocele-associated infertility is better conceptualized as an asymmetric disorder with potential bilateral anatomical or functional involvement and considers the implications for diagnosis and treatment. Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus were searched from inception to 21 June 2026 for studies on varicocele laterality, bilateral and subclinical disease, color Doppler ultrasonography, venography, and unilateral versus bilateral repair. Reference lists and contemporary clinical guidelines were also reviewed. Because the included studies differed substantially in patient selection, age, operator technique, diagnostic criteria, and reference standards, reported bilateral rates were not interpreted as head-to-head estimates of diagnostic sensitivity or as pooled prevalence estimates. Results: Physical examination identifies predominantly left-sided clinical disease. Bilateral involvement is reported more frequently when both sides are assessed using Doppler ultrasonography or venography, but estimates vary widely across referral-enriched and highly selected cohorts. Human and experimental evidence supports several mechanisms by which a clinically unilateral lesion may have bilateral functional effects, including shared scrotal hyperthermia, oxidative stress, endocrine disturbance, and venous cross-communication. Bilateral repair is consistent with standard treatment criteria when both varicoceles are clinically palpable. In men with a clinical left varicocele and non-palpable right-sided reflux, comparative evidence is mixed, and current guidelines do not support routine treatment of imaging-only disease. Conclusions: Varicocele is best viewed as an asymmetric disorder that may be anatomically or functionally bilateral in selected men, rather than as a universally bilateral disease. Deliberate bilateral clinical assessment and standardized bilateral ultrasonography when imaging is clinically indicated may improve phenotyping and operative planning. However, contralateral imaging abnormalities should not automatically be converted into a surgical indication.

Declining Leydig cell steroidogenesis contributes to late-onset hypogonadism and to age-associated impairment of male reproductive health. Determinants of dysfunction extend beyond chronological aging. This review synthesizes recent experimental and translational evidence on cellular and molecular processes that compromise Leydig cell endocrine output and the interstitial niche that supports spermatogenesis. Evidence spanning environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), obesity and metabolic dysfunction, and testicular aging is integrated with emphasis on oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysregulation, apoptosis, disrupted autophagy and mitophagy, and senescence-associated remodeling. Across model systems, toxicant exposure and metabolic stress converge on impaired organelle quality control and altered redox signaling, with downstream loss of steroidogenic capacity and, in some settings, premature senescence within the Leydig compartment. Aging further reshapes the testicular microenvironment through inflammatory shifts and biomechanical remodeling and may erode stem and progenitor Leydig cell homeostasis, thereby constraining regenerative potential. Single-cell transcriptomic atlases advance the field by resolving Leydig cell heterogeneity, nominating subsets that appear more vulnerable to stress and aging, and mapping age-dependent rewiring of interstitial cell-to-cell communication with Sertoli cells, peritubular myoid cells, vascular cells, and immune cells. Many mechanistic insights derive from rodent in vivo studies and in vitro platforms that include immortalized Leydig cell lines, and validation in human tissue and human clinical cohorts remains uneven. Together, these findings frame mechanistically informed opportunities to preserve endogenous androgen production and fertility through exposure mitigation, metabolic optimization, fertility-preserving endocrine stimulation, and strategies that target inflammation, senescence, and regenerative capacity.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited hemoglobinopathy in which hemoglobin S polymerization drives hemolysis and vaso-occlusion with progressive organ morbidity. Male reproductive impairment is increasingly recognized but remains underreported. This narrative review summarizes mechanistic pathways, clinical manifestations, and fertility preservation options relevant to men with SCD. PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Medscape were searched through 31 December 2025 for human studies addressing endocrine changes, semen quality, priapism and erectile dysfunction, oxidative stress, and treatment-related gonadotoxicity. Evidence supports converging mechanisms: recurrent vaso-occlusion and chronic hypoxia may injure the seminiferous epithelium and impair Leydig cell steroidogenesis; oxidative stress and inflammation contribute to sperm DNA and membrane damage; and disease-modifying or curative therapies such as hydroxyurea and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation can further compromise spermatogenesis. Clinically, men with SCD may present with oligozoospermia, azoospermia, hypogonadism, and sexual dysfunction, particularly after recurrent ischemic priapism. Fertility preservation should be discussed early, ideally before prolonged hydroxyurea exposure or transplantation, and may include semen cryopreservation and testicular sperm extraction (TESE) with assisted reproduction when needed. Prospective longitudinal studies are required to define reproductive trajectories and optimize counseling and management.

Male infertility contributes substantially to couple infertility, and a large proportion of cases remain idiopathic. Dysbiosis within the gut, seminal, and urinary microbiomes has been associated with impaired semen parameters, reproductive tract inflammation, and oxidative stress. This narrative review, informed by a structured literature search, summarizes current evidence for the gut-testis axis and the androbactome in male infertility and discusses mechanistic pathways linking microbial imbalance to sperm dysfunction. Proposed mechanisms include immune activation, increased oxidative stress, endocrine and metabolic perturbations, and disruption of epithelial barriers, including the blood-testis barrier. Early clinical trials report that selected probiotic or synbiotic formulations may be associated with improvements in one or more World Health Organization (WHO) semen parameters and with reductions in oxidative or inflammatory biomarkers (surrogate laboratory endpoints; pregnancy and live-birth outcomes are rarely reported and remain unproven) in selected populations, such as idiopathic infertility and the post-varicocelectomy setting. Given patient heterogeneity, a personalized approach requires prespecified clinical phenotypes and measurable monitoring targets, rather than indiscriminate supplementation. At present, probiotics should be considered an adjunct rather than a stand-alone therapy. Well-designed, contamination-aware microbiome studies and adequately powered randomized trials with clinically meaningful endpoints, including pregnancy and live birth, are required before routine clinical implementation. This synthesis is intended to support personalized counseling and trial design by clarifying candidate phenotypes, appropriate monitoring endpoints, and realistic limitations of current evidence.

Introduction:Digital tools, including online information sources and medical apps, are increasingly woven into patient care. This study aimed to assess internet use, social media habits, online health information seeking, trust in online health resources, medical app use and willingness to use medical apps when prescribed, and attitudes toward electronic patient records (EPRs) among urology outpatients in four European countries. Material and methods:A multicenter, cross-sectional survey was conducted in urology outpatient practices in Poland, Greece, Hungary, and Germany. Each center enrolled ~50 consecutive patients. In total, 184 participants completed an anonymous paper questionnaire between January 2, 2025 and May 30, 2025. The 12-item questionnaire (developed following a PubMed literature review and CHERRIES guidance) combined multiple-choice and 10-point rating items. Group differences and associations were explored using χ2 tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and Spearman rank correlations as appropriate. Results:Participants were 79.35% male and 20.65% female; mean age 54.0 years (SD 16.4). Internet use was near universal (91.86%); 72.8% used the internet several times per day, 11.41% once daily, 7.6% weekly, and 7.6% reported never using it. YouTube (58.7%) and Facebook (54.35%) were the most frequently used social platforms, followed by Instagram (36.41%), TikTok (21.74%), and X (formerly Twitter) (18.48%); 15.76% reported no social media use. Trust in online health information was modest (mean 4.32/10, SD 2.3) and highest in Germany (5.08); education did not correlate with trust in any country (Spearman p ≥0.07). Conclusions:Among European urology outpatients, internet engagement is ubiquitous, but perceived usefulness, trust, and app adoption vary substantially across countries.

Psychological stress is increasingly investigated as a potentially modifiable factor in male infertility, in part through oxidative stress. This narrative review synthesizes mechanistic and translational evidence linking stress-related neuroendocrine activation and coping behaviors with redox imbalance in the male reproductive tract. Chronic activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and sympathetic outflow elevates glucocorticoids and catecholamines. In controlled animal stress paradigms, this is accompanied by suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and by immune and metabolic changes that favor reactive oxygen species generation. The resulting oxidative stress may reduce Leydig cell steroidogenesis, impair testicular and epididymal function, and induce lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and sperm DNA fragmentation. In such models, these lesions, together with apoptosis of germ and supporting cells, are associated with lower sperm concentration, reduced motility, compromised viability, and diminished fertilizing potential. Overall, preclinical animal studies using defined stress paradigms provide experimental evidence consistent with causal effects of stress on oxidative injury and reproductive impairment in preclinical settings. Human studies linking perceived stress, anxiety/depression, and disturbed sleep to adverse semen parameters and oxidative biomarkers are summarized. However, the human evidence is predominantly associative, and the available studies are cross sectional and remain vulnerable to residual confounding and reverse causality. Potential effect modifiers, including smoking, alcohol use, and circadian disruption, are also discussed as contributors to heterogeneity across clinical studies. Standardized assessment of stress biology and redox status, longitudinal designs aligned with spermatogenic timing, and well-powered intervention trials are needed to define dose-response relationships and support individualized prevention and care.

Background/Objectives: Sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent in men with chronic kidney disease (CKD), but longitudinal data across the CKD spectrum, particularly those directly comparing non-dialysis CKD with haemodialysis, are limited. We aimed to characterise longitudinal patterns in erectile and broader sexual function over three years, focusing on persistent between-group stratification and change over time in men with CKD versus community controls, and to identify clinical predictors of poorer outcomes. Methods: We conducted a three-year prospective cohort study in three groups of adult men: a group on haemodialysis, a group with non-dialysis CKD stages 3A/3B, and age-matched community controls without known kidney disease. The primary endpoint was the erectile function (EF) domain score of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15), assessed annually; the IIEF-15 total score and remaining domains were the secondary outcomes. Participants’ health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L), age, and diabetes status were recorded. Linear mixed effects models with participant-level random intercepts estimated the effects of group, year, and group × year, adjusted for age, EQ-5D-5L, and diabetes. Results: We enrolled 267 men (haemodialysis n = 96; CKD n = 88; and controls n = 83). At every time point, EF and other IIEF-15 domain scores showed a graded pattern with controls being the highest, CKD being intermediate, and haemodialysis the lowest. group × year interactions were not significant, indicating parallel trajectories without differential decline between groups over three years. Having a lower EQ-5D-5L, an older age, and diabetes—particularly type 2—were independent predictors of poorer IIEF-15 scores across domains. Conclusions: Male sexual function in CKD is persistently and gradually impaired along the renal disease spectrum, with patients on haemodialysis faring the worst and with no evidence of divergent longitudinal change. Routine EF screening, systematic attention to patients’ quality of life, and aggressive management of diabetes should be embedded in CKD care pathways, and renal-appropriate erectile dysfunction interventions should be considered earlier and more systematically.

Background/Objectives: Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) is an uncommon but treatable cause of non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Fertility can often be restored with gonadotropin therapy. This study evaluated spermatogenic and reproductive outcomes in men with HH-related NOA managed by stepwise gonadotropin therapy, microdissection testicular sperm extraction (microTESE) for persistent azoospermia, and assisted reproduction when indicated. Methods: A retrospective cohort study included 35 men treated between 2010 and 2022. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), with or without follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), was administered to induce spermatogenesis. Outcomes included sperm appearance in the ejaculate, microTESE sperm retrieval rate in persistent azoospermia, and pregnancy and live birth outcomes after natural conception or in vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF-ICSI) when required. Results: Mean gonadotropin therapy duration was 12.0 months (range 6-24). Sperm appeared in the ejaculate in 27/35 men (77%). The remaining 8/35 (23%) underwent microTESE, with sperm retrieved in 7/8 (88%). Seven couples proceeded to IVF-ICSI, undergoing 11 cycles that yielded 6 clinical pregnancies (55% per cycle) and 5 live birth deliveries, including 2 twin pregnancies. Among responders, 13 natural pregnancies occurred, resulting in 13 live birth deliveries, including 2 twin pregnancies. Overall, 18/35 men (51%) achieved biological fatherhood, corresponding to 18 live birth delivery events (4 twin and 14 singleton deliveries) and 22 newborns. Conclusions: In men with HH-related NOA, exogenous gonadotropin therapy is expected to induce spermatogenesis in most patients. MicroTESE provides high sperm retrieval rates for those without ejaculatory sperm. Through an integrated approach of hormonal induction, microsurgical sperm retrieval, and assisted reproduction, approximately half of patients may ultimately achieve biological fatherhood in longer-term follow-up, depending on baseline severity and partner factors.

Prostatitis includes infectious and noninfectious inflammatory phenotypes that can impair male reproductive potential and may influence couple-level reproduction via seminal inflammatory and microbial exposure. This review summarizes mechanisms linking prostatic inflammation and dysbiosis to semen dysfunction and sperm DNA damage and proposes an infertility-oriented diagnostic and management framework. This is a narrative review of clinical and translational evidence addressing semen inflammation, oxidative stress, sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), microbiome signatures, and reproductive outcomes in prostatitis (National Institutes of Health (NIH) categories I-IV). Across prostatitis phenotypes, leukocytospermia and elevated seminal cytokines (especially interleukin-8) are associated with impaired motility, altered viscosity and liquefaction, oxidative stress, and higher SDF. Persistent infection or dysbiosis may sustain immune activation and redox injury, while ductal remodeling and pain-related sexual dysfunction can further reduce natural conception. Seminal cytokines and microbes may affect female reproductive tract biology, although clinical outcome data remain limited. Prostatitis-related infertility requires evaluation beyond routine semen analysis. A biomarker-guided workup integrating inflammatory markers, oxidative stress testing, targeted microbiology (culture plus nucleic acid amplification tests when indicated), SDF testing in selected men, and imaging when obstruction is suspected can identify treatable drivers and guide timing and selection of assisted reproduction strategies. Future studies should standardize fertility endpoints and validate biomarker-guided and microbiome-directed interventions.

PURPOSE:This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials evaluated the effects of low-intensity shock wave therapy (LiSWT) on erectile function (EF) and penile vascular parameters in men with erectile dysfunction (ED), compared with controls receiving sham or no treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS:A systematic search of Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane databases identified studies assessing LiSWT in men with ED. Primary outcomes were changes in the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-5 and the IIEF-EF domain scores. Secondary outcomes included erection hardness score (EHS), sexual encounter profile (SEP) diary Q2 and Q3, global assessment question (GAQ) scores, and penile Doppler ultrasound parameters-peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), and resistive index (RI). Changes from baseline to the end of follow-up were compared between LiSWT and control groups. RESULTS:Of 527 retrieved articles, 12 met inclusion criteria. Pooled analysis demonstrated significantly greater improvements in the LiSWT group for IIEF-5 (standardized mean difference [SMD], 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.47-1.91; p=0.001) and IIEF-EF (SMD, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.02-1.45; p<0.001) scores compared with controls. No significant differences were found for EHS (p=0.698), SEP-Q2 (p=0.934), SEP-Q3 (p=0.985), GAQ (p=0.993), and penile Doppler ultrasound parameters, including PSV (p=0.855), EDV (p=0.995), or RI (p=0.818). CONCLUSIONS:LiSWT provides modest improvements in IIEF scores but fails to produce significant changes in other functional or vascular parameters. These findings suggest that while LiSWT may offer some benefit, the clinical relevance is limited for most patients. Current evidence does not support its routine inclusion in ED treatment algorithms. Future research should focus on identifying patient subgroups most likely to experience significant and sustained improvements from this therapy.

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are biologically plausible biomarkers in male infertility, but no assay is ready for routine use. This narrative review organizes human evidence by intended clinical decision and defines clinical actionability as a test’s ability to inform a specified decision through analytical reliability, clinical validity, incremental value, decision-level benefit, and feasible implementation. Evidence is most developed for obstructive versus non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) classification and sperm-retrieval prognosis. Most reports, however, use selected case–control samples, single-center development cohorts, or same-program evaluations. Mixed biospecimens, incompletely specified RNA isoforms and normalization, uncertain cohort independence, imperfect diagnostic references, and protocol-dependent retrieval outcomes limit transportability. No independent geographic validation of a locked ncRNA assay or prospective evaluation of ncRNA-guided management was identified within the retrieved sources. Current guidelines do not recommend routine ncRNA testing. Progress requires prespecified intended uses, locked assays, representative multicenter validation, same-patient comparison with contemporary care, calibrated risk estimates, decision-curve analysis, and patient-important, couple-centered outcomes.

PURPOSE:Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), defined as the absence of sperm in the ejaculate due to testicular failure, is observed in 5% to 15% of infertile men and accounts for two-thirds of azoospermia cases. The management of NOA is marked by significant controversy and global variation in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, highlighting the crucial need for well-designed and standardized clinical practice guidelines. We present comprehensive graded clinical practice recommendations and statements for diagnosing and treating NOA, aiming to establish standardized strategies that can globally help guide practitioners in their practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS:A comprehensive literature review was conducted to gather evidence on the epidemiological, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of NOA. The Global Andrology Forum (GAF) recommendations were developed through the collaboration of a global panel of experts using the Delphi method and surveys to achieve consensus. Statements were graded according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine "GRADE" classification as either "Strong" or "Weak." Statements receiving at least 80% expert consensus were graded as "Strong," while others were categorized as "Weak." RESULTS:The GAF has formulated a total of 49 recommendations and statements on the diagnosis and treatment of NOA, including 21 for diagnosis and 28 for treatment. The recommendations and statements were evaluated and graded by a panel of 48 GAF experts from 25 countries worldwide. The majority of experts (60.5%) had more than 10 years of clinical experience in managing NOA. CONCLUSIONS:The GAF guidelines address discrepancies in NOA management across diverse clinical settings and provide comprehensive graded recommendations to guide clinicians in its diagnosis and treatment. Developed and graded by a large worldwide panel of experts, the current guidelines present simplified, high-standard strategies that can be seamlessly integrated into the daily global practice, offering practitioners a clear framework for managing NOA.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most frequently diagnosed malignancy in men worldwide. Although traditionally considered a disease of older men, the incidence of early-onset PCa (diagnosis < 55 years) is steadily rising. Advances in screening and therapy have significantly improved survival, creating a growing cohort of younger survivors for whom post-treatment quality of life—notably reproductive function—is paramount. Curative treatments such as radical prostatectomy, pelvic radiotherapy, androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT), and chemotherapy often cause irreversible infertility via multiple mechanisms, including surgical disruption of the ejaculatory tract, endocrine suppression of spermatogenesis, direct gonadotoxic injury to the testes, and oxidative sperm DNA damage. Despite these risks, fertility preservation is frequently overlooked in pre-treatment counseling, leaving many patients unaware of their options. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on how PCa therapies impact male fertility, elucidates the molecular and physiological mechanisms of iatrogenic infertility, and evaluates both established and emerging strategies for fertility preservation and restoration. Key interventions covered include sperm cryopreservation, microsurgical testicular sperm extraction (TESE), and assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Psychosocial factors influencing decision-making, novel biomarkers predictive of post-treatment spermatogenic recovery, and long-term offspring outcomes are also examined. The review underscores the urgent need for timely, multidisciplinary fertility consultation as a routine component of PCa care. As PCa increasingly affects men in their reproductive years, proactively integrating preservation into standard oncologic practice should become a standard survivorship priority.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a prevalent male sexual disorder characterized by the persistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. While its etiology is multifactorial, encompassing vascular, neurological, hormonal, and psychological components, emerging evidence suggests a significant role for gut microbiota dysbiosis in its development. The gut microbiota influences various metabolic, inflammatory, and neuropsychological processes critical to erectile function. Dysbiosis can lead to systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, hormonal imbalances, and altered neurotransmitter production, all of which are key factors in ED pathogenesis. This narrative review synthesizes current research on the association between gut microbiota alterations and ED, highlighting specific bacterial taxa implicated in ED through mechanisms involving inflammation, metabolic disturbances, and hormonal regulation. This review explores potential mechanisms linking gut microbiota and ED, including pro-inflammatory cytokines, gut barrier integrity disruption, metabolic disorders, psychological factors via the gut–brain axis, and hormonal regulation. Furthermore, the gut microbiota offers promising avenues for developing non-invasive biomarkers and therapeutic interventions such as probiotics, prebiotics, dietary modifications, and fecal microbiota transplantation. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies, mechanistic explorations, and clinical trials to validate these findings and translate them into clinical practice. Understanding the interplay between the gut microbiota and erectile function could unveil novel diagnostic biomarkers and pave the way for innovative treatments targeting the microbiota, ultimately improving men’s sexual and overall health.

Low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (Li-ESWT) is gaining attention as a potential treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). Research indicates that Li-ESWT may promote new blood vessel growth, improving blood flow and endothelial function. This study aims to assess the impact of Li-ESWT on measurable and objective indicators such as nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity (NPTR). A prospective, nonrandomized single-center study, conducted from January 2022 to January 2024, included 41 men over 18 with ED presented in Urology Outpatient Department. Detailed physical examinations, cardiovascular risk factors, blood tests, and endocrine assessments were collected. Participants were required to have a stable heterosexual partner, at least twelve months of erectile difficulties and no medication for ED for at least one month before enrollment. Each participant completed IIEF-5, EHS questionnaire and an initial evaluation of nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity (NPTR). After six sessions of Li-ESWT, a follow-up one month later included a re-evaluation with erectile function scales and NPTR. NPTR measurements, using the Rigiscan device, tracked penile circumference, radial rigidity, and frequency and duration of erections. A total of 41 participants (mean age 45.71 ± 10.38 years) were included in the analysis. Key subjective measures, such as IIEF-5 scores (10.60 ± 5.99 vs. 15.13 ± 6.22, p = 0.01) and EHS (p = 0.02), demonstrated significant improvement after treatment. Changes in NPTR parameters following Li-ESWT showed an increase in nocturnal erection frequency (median 3.0 vs. 4.0 times, p = 0.02) and total erection duration (median 24.3 min vs. 64.4 min, p = 0.03) compared to baseline. Additional post-treatment improvements included average erectile rigidity (median 36.54% vs. 51.48%, p = 0.04) and peak rigidity (median 45.13% vs. 62.66%, p = 0.04) at the penile tip. Statistically significant changes were also observed in measurements at the penile base and in the duration of more than 60% rigidity at both the tip and base. Li-ESWT shows potential in enhancing both subjective and objective measures of erectile function in patients with ED. NPTR parameters indicated a notable improvement in nocturnal erections post-treatment. NONE.