Andrology is the medical specialty which is interested in the anatomical, biological and psychic elements contributing to the proper functioning of the male genital system.. The discipline encompasses several branches:

• endocrinology, for hormonal abnormalities in testicular endocrine secretion;
• theurology, for abnormalities or diseases of the male urogenital system (prostate, testes, epididymis, penis, etc.) and the urinary tract (urethra, ureter, bladders, etc.);
• the vascular aspect, for the examination of the vascularization of the urogenital system;
• but also the biological and biochemical aspect, for sperm abnormalities.

 In Quebec, andrology is not a surgical specialty. It is the urologist who takes care (among other things) of the male urogenital system. 

Many reasons for consultation fall within the field of andrology. These include:

• un erectile dysfunction (also called impotence);
• ejaculation disorders;
• erection problems;
• age-related androgen deficiency;
• or even male infertility problems.

Certain risk factors are known to affect male fertility. These include:

• age;
• obesity (2);
• genetic ;
• smoking and alcohol consumption;
• or even certain environmental conditions such as heat, exposure to pesticides (3), etc.

The andrologist focuses on the physiology and pathologies related to the male genital system. He is in a way the equivalent of the gynecologist in women.

The specialist :

• questions his patient, to understand what brings him and to know his possible medical or family history;
• performs a rigorous clinical examination;
• may have recourse to examinations such as an ultrasound of the abdomen (to visualize the prostate in particular), a spermogram (to detect any abnormalities in the composition of the sperm) or a blood test to carry out various analyzes ( eg male hormones).

Note that before having recourse to medically assisted procreation, it is mandatory to do an andrological assessment.

The consultation with an andrologist does not involve any particular risks for the patient. It is in any case the role of the doctor to clearly explain the modalities, the possible difficulties or even the dangers associated with the procedures, examinations and treatments that he will have to perform.

Andrology training in France

To become an andrologist, the student must obtain a diploma of complementary specialized studies (DESC) in forensic medicine and medical expertise (DESC type I, for a period of 2 years). Before that, the student must hold a specialized studies diploma (DES), namely the diploma obtained at the end of the internship:

• after having completed 6 years at the Faculty of Medicine;
• and after having passed the national classifying tests, which allow access to the boarding school.

Finally, to be able to practice and carry the title of doctor, the student must also defend a research thesis.

Note that with a DESC type I, the young doctor retains his title of specialist in the specialty of his DES.

Training as an andrologist in Quebec

In the province of Quebec, andrology is practiced by urologists. Thus, to become a urologist, the student must:

• follow a doctorate in medicine, lasting 1 or 4 years (with or without a preparatory year for medicine for students admitted with a college or university training deemed insufficient in basic biological sciences);
• then specialize by following a residency in urology for 5 years (including 2 years of surgical foundations).

Before going to the appointment with an andrologist, it is important to take recent prescriptions, any x-rays, scans or even MRIs performed.

To find an andrologist:

• in Quebec, you can consult the website of the association of urologists of Quebec, which offers a directory4;
• in France, via the website of the National Council of the Order of Physicians (5).

When the consultation is prescribed by an attending physician, it is covered by the Health Insurance (France) or the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec.