Male Infertility Recognition During National Infertility Awareness Week
Each year, on the last week of April, National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) takes place to highlight the need for better infertility awareness and understanding. NIAW is an important time of year for those who suffer from infertility or who struggled to conceive. It serves as a time and space for those affected to share their stories and make their voices known. Of course, what you share and to whom is always your choice, but men are typically more reluctant to get involved in the infertility community. This reluctance has inadvertently contributed to a lack of education about male fertility.
Modern male infertility
Education about male infertility is growing, but the fact that men are just as likely to have fertility issues as women is still not well-known. Even in 2017, when a couple struggles to conceive, the go-to reaction is usually that the female partner needs fertility testing. The male partner is often left unconsidered. This delay in testing and treatment only further postpones any potential fertility treatment that could aid in conception, should the male partner need it.
Get the support you need, but may not want to ask for
Sharing your story with the world may not be at the top of your to-do list, and it doesn’t have to be. There are simple, more private ways men can share their experiences as an infertility patient without having to fear the unfair stigma placed on male infertility. One way to tell your story and hear from others in similar situations is to join an infertility support group. Infertility support groups are catered to a wide range of needs – all male, all female, couples, online, in person, and many other iterations which are tailored to your specific tastes and needs. You can find a local support group that best fits your needs and comfort level.
Don’t avoid fertility testing if you suspect a problem
Sometimes, men can be their own worst enemy when it comes to facing a potential fertility concern. Male fertility testing can seem intimidating, but the process only usually involves a semen analysis that tests the sperm’s quality, quantity and motility (ability to move). If you have concerns about finding the best male fertility doctor to fit your needs, we’ve compiled a helpful guide that you can find here.
We also invite you to learn more about causes of male infertility, a semen analysis, treatment options and the most common male fertility FAQs.
