ISA/EAA/IFFS Joint Symposium at ECA 2026: Reducing Female Burden by Improving Male Factor Fertility

Modena, Italy – September 2026

On 17 September, the International Society of Andrology (ISA), the European Academy of Andrology (EAA), and the International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS) held a joint symposium titled "Reducing female burden by improving male factor fertility." The session took place during the 16th European Congress of Andrology (ECA 2026), held 16–18 September at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. It was chaired by Giovanni Corona (Italy) and Peter Liu (USA) and drew more than 100 attendees on site, making it one of the best-attended sessions of the congress.

Three speakers presented:

• Edgar Mocanu (Ireland) gave an update on outcomes of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) for the offspring.

• Dimitrios Goulis (Greece) discussed how male factors can contribute to the development or progression of female infertility.

• Luca Gianaroli (Italy) asked whether there is still room for "Art" in ART. He argued that mastering the ars medica remains essential for couples seeking medical help with reproduction.

The symposium also gave ISA and IFFS an opportunity to present the results of their joint work. On 16 September, the day before the session, a scientific statement co-authored by researchers from both societies was published in Andrology and in the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. Titled "Building families—Implementing balanced sexual and reproductive health: A Joint IFFS and ISA Scientific Statement," it was authored by Peter Y. Liu, Edgar Mocanu, Linda Giudice, Marcos Horton, Meletios P. Nigdelis, Antti Perheentupa, Andrea Sansone, Giovanni Corona, Luca Gianaroli, and Dimitrios G. Goulis. The statement offers a new view of how clinicians should address sexuality, infertility, and contraception in couples seeking a pregnancy. Read more about the statement and access both publications here.

ISA Travel Grants

ISA was also pleased to support three early-career researchers with a travel grant of 500 EUR each to attend ECA 2026:

• Helle Margit Albrechtsen (Copenhagen University Hospital – Rigshospitalet, Denmark)

• Britt Balvers (Amsterdam University Medical Center, The Netherlands)

• Valentin Rousseau (Université de Rouen Normandie, France)

  
  

Congratulations to all three recipients.

ISA thanks the EAA and the ECA 2026 organizing committee for hosting the joint session, and IFFS for its continued partnership in advancing balanced sexual and reproductive health.

Text and photos contributed by Andrea Sansone on behalf of the "Building Families" research group.