What is Male Factor Infertility and Why the Stigma?

10:25 30th August 2017 | Male Challenges

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When talking about fertility challenges, we are referring to couples who have trouble conceiving or sustaining a pregnancy. Fortunately, there are tests to determine fertility status and treatments to overcome infertility challenges. Even though these challenges are often attributed to women, both partners can face challenges or infertility can solely be due to male factors.

What is Male Factor Infertility?

In a nutshell, it refers to a situation where a man has challenges and difficulties in getting his female partner pregnant which includes the reproductive organs, semen and sperm therein. Problems in any of these areas could make it difficult for sperm to successfully fertilise eggs.

There are many factors that can cause infertility in men, but several of these complications can be overcome. The cause and its severity will determine the course of treatment recommended by primary healthcare consultants or, if necessary, fertility specialists.

Male Factor Infertility: Why the Stigma?

Many men look forward to becoming a father someday; in fact, fatherhood is practically a rite of passage. The thought of not being able to conceive, or not being able to conceive naturally, can cause confusion and great frustration which are only a small part of the emotional implications.

There are also physical, mental, social and cultural implications.

How Can We Overcome the Stigma?

There are many uncertainties that come with fertility challenges and seeking answers and treatment can seem very daunting. Therefore, the first step is to overcoming the stigma requires creating awareness of male factor infertility. People need to know that it exists; they need to understand the causes; and they must be told that there is hope in the form of primary as well as advanced medical care. Without awareness and education, acceptance and progress are hindered.

What You Need to Know

It’s not easy to conceive.
It’s not always the woman’s ‘fault’.
Fatherhood does not define manhood.
Infertility is a growing problem in Nigeria.
It’s normal to feel judged or rejected if you face fertility challenges.
According to a few studies, male factors are responsible for up to 50% of all infertility in Nigeria.

There is Hope

Male infertility is not a myth, but don’t let the inability or struggle to conceive affect your day-to-day life. If you are experiencing challenges, know that you are not alone. At Bridge Clinic, we understand the psychological & emotional trauma that many men feel and we are here to help.

Our treatment options include:

Addressing Primary Healthcare issues
Semen analysis to determine the best treatment option
Blood work may be required to access the difficulty
Specialist Care treatments allow us to bypass the majority of male fertility challenges
Assisted Reproductive Procedures that Involve Women
- IUI (Intrauterine Insemination): A number of washed sperm directly into the uterus.
- IVF with ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection): A single sperm is injected directly into the partner's egg to bypass male infertility challenges.
- IVF with IMSI (Intracytoplasmic Morphologically-collected Sperm Injection): Sperm are selected before the microinjection takes place.