Why Men Need to Participate in National Infertility Awareness Week

When the topic of infertility comes up in conversation, many people assume that this is a medical condition that affects only women. However, men are just as likely to experience infertility, a fact that is often overlooked in society. The lack of awareness about male infertility is generally caused by a combination of misconceptions and cultural stigmas regarding masculinity. Many men are unaware that they have to think about their fertility health, while others may feel too embarrassed to talk about it.

Every April, National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW), which takes place April 19-25 this year, gives the infertility community an opportunity to chip away at the stigma of infertility. Because male infertility continues to be overshadowed by falsities and taboos, it’s more important than ever before for men dealing with infertility to participate in this conversation. Engaging in meaningful public discourse is the only way that we can move past the stigma of male infertility and empower others to take charge of their reproductive health.

Dismantling Myths About Male Fertility
One of the most important goals of NIAW is to educate the public about infertility facts. The subject of male fertility is dominated by an astounding number of myths. For example, many men believe that age has no impact on their ability to have children. While it’s true that men can continue to produce sperm as they get older, their sperm quality, quantity, and motility declinewith age.

Another misconception is that lifestyle and environmental factors don’t play a role in a man’s ability to conceive. However, things like obesity, drug use, smoking, and even air pollution have all been shown to have a negative effect on sperm production. These misconceptions are harmful because they induce a false sense of security that hinders men from taking care of their fertility health.

Telling Your Story Online
One of the most powerful things you can do as a man coping with infertility is to simply share your story on social media during NIAW. Your story and voice can pull others out from the shadows and show the world that male infertility isn’t something to hide but rather is a fact of life that needs to be confronted head-on and discussed openly. Furthermore, it can inspire others to start thinking about their fertility health in ways they never have before.

To really spread your story around, consider tagging @resolveorg in your Facebook or Twitter post, and including the hashtags #NIAW, #IamChangingtheConversation, #NationalInfertilityAwarenessWeek, and #MyStory.

Change the Conversation
The only way to combat the stigma of male infertility is to take it on directly and take part in actively changing the conversation. When we pull back the curtain and shed light on the things we’re embarrassed about, it makes it easier for those things to be discussed. To learn more about male infertility, please contact us today.