Emotions Attached to Male Infertility
The emotions attached to male infertility, like female infertility, are complex. If you and your partner are going through or considering infertility treatments, you may experience similar emotions and feelings, such as:
However, men and women are also different, thus the way they experience the emotions attached to infertility may also differ. If you are an infertile man, or suspecs you may be, normal emotions may include:
Coping With Male Infertility
Men struggling with infertility, in general, have fewer resources than women, feel socially isolated and are often forced to cope with infertility on their own. Many of these men may feel uncomfortable seeking outside support, especially from those they know.
As a result, they may keep their emotions bottled up inside or cope with them in unhealthy ways, including overcompensating in other areas.
Here is a list of established resources to help patients with male factor fertility problems.
If you are struggling with infertility, it is important that you find healthy and positive ways to cope with your emotions.
Some suggestions include:
There are a number of established resources in place to help patients with male factor fertility problems. The first goal should be to find an urologist with special training in male reproductive medicine and surgery. A number of organizations can assist you in identifying such physicians near your community.
These include:
American Society for Reproductive Medicine
(ASRM)
1209 Montgomery Highway
Birmingham, Alabama 35216-2809
Phone: (205) 978-5000
Fax: (205) 978-5005
www.asrm.org
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine is interested in all aspects of the reproductive lifecycle and is committed to providing patient information on a wide range of topics. ASRM provides information on infertility, menopause, contraception, reproductive surgery, endometriosis, and other reproductive disorders.
American Urological Association (AUA)
1000 Corporate Boulevard
Linthicum, MD 21090
Phone: (866) RING AUA (1-866-746-4282) or
(410) 689-3700
Fax: 410-689-3800
www.auanet.org
The American Urological Association (AUA) offers an online patient information resource, which was written and reviewed by urology experts in partnership with the American Foundation for Urologic Disease. You can access this online patient information source at www.urologyhealth.org.
Various patient organizations also exist to help individuals facing reproductive health issues and provide resources and support groups:
RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association
7910 Woodmont Avenue
Suite 1350
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: (888) 623-0744 (National Helpline)
Phone: (301) 652-8585 (National Office)
Fax: (301) 652-9375
Email: info@resolve.org
www.resolve.org
The mission of RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association is to provide timely, compassionate support and information to people who are experiencing infertility and to increase awareness of infertility
American Fertility Association (AFA)
666 Fifth Avenue
Suite 278
New York, NY 10103
Phone: (888) 917-3777
www.theAFA.org
The American Fertility Association (AFA) is a national organization dedicated to supporting women, men and families facing infertility and decisions related to family building and reproductive health -- from prevention and treatment to social, psychological and financial concerns.
Through educational symposia and forums, free publications, interactive media and advocacy for research funding and policy, The American Fertility Association serves as a lifetime resource for men, women and families needing reproductive information and support and to forward the causes of adoption and reproductive health.