Psychosocial Challenges Among Men Who Undergo Infertility Treatment

Abstract

Despite the increasing prevalence of infertile couples undergoing infertility treatment, there has been a dearth of attention to the psychosocial challenges encountered by men experiencing infertility. This study aimed to understand the psychosocial challenges of men diagnosed with male-factor infertility who underwent fertility treatment. Through purposive sampling, eight men who had undergone infertility procedures were recruited for in-depth interviews. The case analysis revealed five overarching themes (complex emotions experienced following an infertility diagnosis, heightened stress in family dynamics, difficulties in spousal relationships during infertility treatment, stress and burden associated with disclosing infertility treatment in social relationships, and absence of social support systems during infertility treatment) and 16 subthemes related to challenges faced by infertile men. The findings of the study confirmed the personal, relational, and societal challenges experienced by men during infertility diagnosis and treatment. This study confirmed the importance of implementing interventions at the individual and societal levels to address the psychosocial challenges encountered by infertile men undergoing infertility treatments.