Association between mental health and male fertility: depression, rather than anxiety, is linked to decreased semen quality.

Background: Infertility is increasingly recognized as a global health issue affecting couples of reproductive age, with male factors contributing to approximately 50% of infertility cases. However, the association between depression and anxiety-two of the most prevalent mental health conditions-and impaired male fertility remains a subject of ongoing debate.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, male participants seeking fertility counseling at an IVF clinic were recruited.