How to Cope With Male Infertility

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:

• Sadness or depression
• Anger
• Frustration
• Uselessness

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:

• Feelings of inadequacy in all parts of your life
• Feelings of sexual inadequacy because of strong cultural associations between virility and masculinity.
• Guilt
• Lack of Control
• Feelings of failure to yourself and your family

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.