Conception Health - Infertility: Window into Men's Minds by Dr. Paul Turek

Recently, sitting face to face with an infertile patient, I asked him what the first thing was that came to his mind after being told that he had no sperm count. After a short silence in which his eyes gazed downward and then back again toward me, he stated, quietly “I thought it might be the end of my family lineage.”

Facing a diagnosis of infertility is one of the loneliest experiences a man can have, as evidenced by a study I recently co-authored with Drs. James Smith and Patty Katz at UCSF. Published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine this week, it found that men with a diagnosis of male infertility suffer intense negative sexual, personal and social strains that might be considered typical for other medical illnesses, including cancer. It affects not only their self esteem, but their sexual confidence and sexual function. Think about it. Men find the inability to sire children a real and palpable blow to their manhood and self-identity. The impact of this diagnosis is easily comparable to the mortal challenge associated with a cancer diagnosis. Infertility causes an immense strain to their relationships both with their partners and socially. Adding to the strain, this diagnosis is as taboo as syphilis or AIDS. The ramifications for the rest of his life are significant, especially if his lifelong assumption was that having kids is normal, expected, eventually, would not be a problem. Infertility is often one big secret that is kept from the rest of the world, making the patient, and his partner, feel isolated and desperate.

I have seen this distress in my practice, day in and day out, for years. Finally, through this study, some proof has surfaced that male infertility is one of the toughest challenges a man can face in life. The funny thing is, male infertility is not as uncommon as one might think. It affects 10% to 15% of reproductive aged couples worldwide. About half as common as diabetes. But far more silent a disease than diabetes. The bright side is that it is treatable in many cases.

So what should men do if they have a diagnosis of infertility? First, get information so that you can make decisions and get control of the situation. You need to “own” it, and this is a great start. Learn through websites such as ASRM.org and SSMR.org, or TheTurekClinic.com and see a urologist or specialist. Also, talk openly with your partner and people you trust, and get the support that you need. Decide with your partner who needs to know about this and who doesn’t. Keep the lines of communication open with your partner, as this can be the most significant threat your relationship will ever see. Keep doing the things that you do best, as these are not likely the cause of infertility and can keep the balance in your life. Importantly, take time to “blow off” stress through exercise, sports, yoga, massage or whatever works for you. Maintain that critical balance as you tackle this issue like you have tackled others, and as you will tackle future issues.

- Author: Dr. Paul Turek

Visit his blog at TurekOnMensHealth.com or to learn more about Dr. Turek, vist TheTurekClinic.com

About Paul Turek, MD, FACS, FRSM

Male reproductive health expert Dr. Paul Turek is founder of The Turek Clinic, a leading health care resource for men worldwide. Dr. Turek is a recent recipient of a prestigious National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant for research designed to help infertile men become fathers. A former Professor and Endowed Chair at the University of California San Francisco, Dr. Turek has pioneered innovative techniques for treating male infertility, including Testicular Mapping. Dr. Turek has also helped to popularize the No-Scalpel Vasectomy and has published some of the highest success rates worldwide for vasectomy reversals. Dr. Turek sits on the board of several high-profile organizations and is an advisor to the NIH and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). He donates his time to help the working poor of San Francisco receive medical treatment as Chair of the Medical Advisory Board for the non-profit Clinic By the Bay. Dr. Turek blogs on a weekly basis about common medical issues, solutions and innovations at TurekOnMensHealth.com.

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