Male Attitudes towards Infertility: Results from a Global Questionnaire

Abstract

Purpose: In general, men are less likely to seek health care than women. Infertility is a global disease that afflicts approximately 15% of reproductive age couples and the male contributes to 40% of the diagnosable cause. Remarkably, no large or multi-national population data exist regarding men's perceptions about their infertility. The purpose of this study was to advance our knowledge about the infertile male's social experience regarding: (1) how they feel about their infertility, (2) what motivated them to seek health care, (3) how likely are they to talk with others about their infertility, (4) their awareness of male infertility support groups, and (5) what their primary source for information is regarding male infertility? Based on the results from this study, these simple questions now have clearer definition.

Materials and methods: An Institutional Review Board-approved, male-directed, anonymous questionnaire translated into 20 languages was made globally available through the Fertility Europe website (https://fertilityeurope.eu). Males (n=1,171) age 20-49 years were invited to complete the online survey after informed consent.

Results: Most respondents were European (86%). Of European men, <15.8% were self-motivated to seek medical help. Further, their physician was not the primary source of information regarding their infertility. While most men (59%) viewed their infertility positively, a large majority were not very likely (73%) to talk about it. Most respondents indicated a lack of awareness or absence of male infertility support groups.

Conclusions: These are the first multi-national population data revealing men's feelings about their infertility, what motivates them to seek help and their awareness of resources for peer support and information. These findings also serve to highlight significant gaps that exist in the provision of male reproductive health care and in supportive resources for men suffering from infertility. We offer recommendations on how to address the problem(s).

Keywords: Attitiude to health; Feelings; Infertility, male; Reproductive health.

Fig. 1. What motivated you to seek medical help for your infertility (n=1,162)?

Fig. 2. How do you view your infertility (n=1,160)?

Fig. 3. How likely do you talk about your infertility with others (n=1,164)?

Fig. 4. Is there a male infertility support group in your country (n=1,166)?

Fig. 5. From where have you primarily searched for information about male infertility (n=1,164)?

Fig. 6. Has an infertility specialist recommended herbal supplements to you as a treatment for your infertility (n=1,163)?