Male Infertility Awareness: Let’s Talk About It

Male Infertility Awareness: Let’s Talk About It

 

Whenever you hear from a couple that they are not able to conceive, the only thing that comes to your mind is that the problem would be with the female. You are not wrong here, as we have heard this since we knew about infertility. But this is not true, as men’s infertility is not rare, and he could be the reason for infertility. It is a shared journey as women are not the ones to be blamed; it is treatment where both men and women are to be shaped rightly.

Infertility affects 186 million people worldwide, and the male partner is the cause in about half of the cases. The male is solely responsible in about 20% of cases, and is a contributing factor in another 30% to 40% of all infertility cases. As male and female causes often co-exist, it is essential that both partners are investigated for infertility and managed together. Overall, the male factor substantially contributes to about 50% of all cases of infertility.

At Aveya, whenever we encounter the cause of infertility as male, it becomes problematic as men become reluctant to undergo this. In fact, male factors are responsible for around 40–50% of all infertility cases. Yet, stigma, misinformation, and societal pressures often discourage men from acknowledging the issue — let alone seeking help.  Our team at Aveya IVF centre highlights the importance and need for men to know about their issues related to infertility and how they can overcome them while having a safe and secure environment.

Coping mechanisms among men

Each November, Movember encourages men to grow moustaches to raise awareness about men’s health. This Movember, it’s time to bring fertility into the conversation, helping men understand how their overall health, habits, and lifestyle play a direct role in reproductive wellbeing. It is time for men to speak about their issues without being under the pressure of anxiety, stress, depression, grief, and failure.

Men and women may have different coping mechanisms. It can be helpful to seek some support from a professional counsellor to work through the sense of loss that is felt between partners, so that they can work towards infertility resolution.

“Infertility isn’t just a woman’s journey — it’s a shared challenge. It’s not about blame, it’s about answers. Men, it’s time to get tested, speak up, and take charge of your fertility, too. We here provide you with a safe environment where you can openly discuss your problem, keeping it transparent and honest.” Arzoo Chadha

Most common feelings MEN face

Emotional turmoil is a great challenge when you get to know the reason for infertility. Similarly, men also deal with a multiplicity of emotions when they go through a phase, which makes it more difficult for them as they are not vocal about it due to social stigma, peer pressure, or expectations.

Guilt– the feeling of guilt common to men, as when they feel that it is their personal responsibility after being diagnosed with male factor, and their wives have to go through invasive treatment. Men take huge pressure and consider it a failure, as it adds another layer of suffering to them.

Men do not understand that it’s nobody’s fault, and it is as normal as when we talk about women’s infertility. It is a medical problem, and blaming yourself can never be a solution.

Embarrassment- Men are generally embarrassed by giving a sample, especially at the time of semen analysis; they hesitate, which can be off-putting for them.

Shame- Self-doubt and criticizing oneself is the most unwanted thing a man does when they are diagnosed. As we know, society has expectations that men will be able to become fathers or father a child. But when the realization hits that it is not going to happen without medical supervision or assistance, it threatens your self-esteem and stops men from confiding in others.

Powerlessness– during the process, it is affirmed by many men that they don’t know or understand how they should support their partners. They don’t know how to feel strong and bottle up their feelings when their partner is going through a lot.

Like women, men should also be supported while going through such emotions. Proper counseling, support activities, and interaction, etc., would help in opening up about their feelings of grief or extreme stress can be all-consuming and a cause of distraction for both partners.

These internal struggles are rarely talked about, leaving many men to cope in silence. But acknowledging the emotional weight is a crucial part of the healing process. Seeking support—from a partner, therapist, or trusted provider—isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a meaningful step toward understanding, resilience, and care.

Low sperm count

The real concern for men that makes them embarrassed or ashamed is their unwillingness to become a biological father. Like in women, eggs diminish with time, sperm are all the time, and various things can be done to improve their fertility. It does not mean getting medical treatment would only help in improving your fertility, some lifestyle changes and modifications could also assist in helping with you same.

As per the studies, the most common reason that has been identified among men affecting their fertility is Varicocele. A varicocele is an enlargement of the veins within the scrotum, which can cause pain, a feeling of heaviness, or a decrease in testicle size. This impairs the functioning of sperm but can be fixed with the help of surgery.

Though we understand that the diagnosis of low sperm count could be shattering, it is just a starting point during your infertility journey. Even when you are diagnosed with zero sperm, some viable sperm can be detected. It would help in enhancing their fertility while overcoming stress.

Semen analysis is commonly used to assess the quality of sperm, as it reveals areas for improvement and informs the best course of action to provide the optimal solution. This is just the beginning of the treatment, as enhancing its quality can help in resolving the issue naturally. If required, the right medication or surgery could help enhance your chances of yours to become a father. There is no need to stress about this, as it is a common issue that can be addressed if diagnosed on time.

For more information, you can check our blogs on https://aveya.in/what-is-normal-sperm-count/ to know about sperm health and how you can improve it. Similarly, how age affects sperm health can also be read in our blog https://aveya.in/male-fertility-over-40-challenges-risks-treatment-options/.  Other than this, if you need more information about your fertility health or your partner’s fertility health, we are here with our free consultation services for you.

Our Male fertility specialist at Aveya IVF centre will keep honesty and transparency with you. We also ensure that you are being provided with a safe and secure environment so that you can talk openly and discuss your problems. If you or someone you love needs any assistance regarding male infertility, contact us Today!!

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