Why male shy from fertility treatment?
With changing lifestyle and stress the infertility problem is
increasing throughout the world. Whenever the word infertility is mentioned the
immediate picture visualized in our head is that of ‘woman’s problem’. Surprisingly
out of total infertility cases reported, 50% of them have something or the
other to deal with male infertility.
This means that approximately 7.5 to 10% of all men in their
reproductive age groups are infertile i.e they are incapable to fathering
child. This is stupendous figure, by any yardstick, of which generally people
are not aware of. Infertility in man may be the sole reason why the couple
can’t conceive and is unable to enjoy parenthood.
So it’s essential that men as well as women should get tested
for fertility. Though guys are very reluctant to accept the fact and get them
tested in the early phase of fertility treatment- probably to avoid
embarrassment. But an early testing may relieve their partners from much
unnecessary discomfort, experience and expenses. It’s also a better way to
quickly taper down potential problems.
It’s necessary to understand that infertility is not medical
illness. Both male and female have to be medically fit to undergo any
infertility treatment. Unfortunately, this concept is not known to most of with
people. Quite wrongly but traditionally women is the prime suspect of
infertility. The investigations and evaluations start and end with her only.
However, the male treated to be better species do not shy away
either from polygamy or from remarriage. He is authorized to divorce and boldly
come out from the old relation and bring not one, but several wives under
prejudiced belief that she alone is responsible for the vacuum and ‘barrenness’
in life. In some parts of India especially Rajasthan, people still think that
to bring a new wife is cheaper than going for fertility treatment. Needless to
say such man do not beget child their entire life after several marriages also.
It’s worth mentioning that people ordinarily think that in the
country like India, where population is exceeding 980 millions, child bearing
is effortless attempt but this is untrue. It’s seen that the national
population figure has no relation with the infertility figure.
Males are often found fussy when their fertility is in question.
It is important to understand that Infertility and Impotence are two different
entities. Failure to differentiate between the two is an unwanted cause of
awkwardness to many males. Because of this only, they fear of being labeled as
‘lesser man’ and end up staying away from andrology clinics. To be infertile
means inability to bear child even after one year of unprotected sexual
intercourse.While Impotence is a common problem among men characterized by the
consistent inability to sustain an erection sufficient for sexual
intercourse or the inability to achieve ejaculation, or bot.
Unable to comprehend this difference, denial from men for
fertility check up is quite common. Men usually think they have harmed
themselves either by undertaking rigorous exercises or playing excessively
outdoor game like football which has landed them up in this infertility
problem. It’s difficult for them to accept that infertility is an internal
problem and is out of their control.
Even in normal circumstances, to beget a child is not so easy.100-300
million sperms are present in the typical ejaculation out of which merely 15%(15-45
million) are healthy enough to fertilize an egg. Among them only 40 sperms
survive ejaculation and toxicity of the vaginal environment to race to the egg
and become true competitors to hold pregnancy. It’s essential that sperm moves
quickly and straight forward as they have to swim through layers of cells to
reach the eggs. Knowing this it’s can be concluded that when sperm count is 300
million then only 40 get chance to become serious contender for conception.
Hence it becomes easy to imagine that what will happen when the sperm count
falls below than normal. More than 90% of male infertility is due to low sperm
count, poor sperm quality or both the factors.
Male infertility can be caused by variety of disorders right
from hormonal disturbances to physical or physiological problems. In many
cases, testicular damage is the reason for the male infertility resulting in
inability of testis to produce the sperms. Usually if the testis is damaged
once, it does not regain its sperm making capabilities. This aspect of male
infertility is quite similar to that of menopause in women the only difference
being that this is not natural and cannot generally be treated. Other than
testicular damage, low sperm count and poor sperm quality is the major cause of
male infertility for which many treatment options are available now.
While sperm donation was popularized a lot across the country by
bollywood movie Vicky Donor, a more understated message was brought to the
forefront that how male infertility is becoming prevalent. Without giving a
second thought, the fertility issues always make all the pointed stares,
audible whispers and snide comments routed towards the female, if any how the
couple is unable to bear child.
Irony is that if female is ‘barren’ then nobody stops spilling
her image whereas if the male infertility is involved whispers are quite and
are kept under carpets. Male avoids the fertility test until and unless it
becomes very clear that no problem lies with his lady who was poorly undergoing
all sorts of investigations and evaluation uptill now.
If male shows little courage and comes forward for early
treatment then lot of hassles can be avoided and half battle is already won.An
early examination of both male and female can help the doctor to identify the
problem easily and suggest the treatment best suited to both of them. Partner
understanding and support can simplify the fertility way for achieving bundle
of joy in much lesser time and expenditure. Man accepting the fertility issues
with him and overcoming his ego can save his lady from humiliation, torcher and
mental stress.
Article is published in IVF India
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