When the word infertility is mentioned, most often female infertility is thought of first. Most couples never even consider their infertility can be caused by the man. But males are responsible for 20–30 percent of infertility cases.
Men tend to respond to the experience of their infertility differently than women. They are more silent and withdrawn while women are more open and emotional. Because of this, women have thought men deal with the issue more easily. But in actuality, men are simply less likely to open up about their emotions. Many men believe their masculinity is tightly wrapped up in their ability to conceive. Feeling they have lost that ability can produce strong, negative emotions.
Keeping these negative emotions all bottled up until they you crack is unhealthy. It is important to find coping strategies to keep the negative impacts of infertility from overwhelming you.
Communicate with your partner – Probably the most important thing you can do is talk with your partner. Let them know where you are at and how you are feeling. Even though it’s tempting to be silent, having someone know what you’re thinking and going through will be extremely helpful.
Move, move, move – Exercise has been shown to help reduce stress. No matter what you do (weightlifting, basketball, boxing, jiu-jitsu, or just taking a walk) exercise will make you feel happier.
Take a break – Do something every week (or at least every month) that is just for you. Relaxing and keeping your mind off the stress is very beneficial.
Shed a tear – No, really. Male stereotypes says you should never cry. But sometimes it’s what is needed to release the pent up emotions.
Laugh it up! – It may feel like the last thing on earth that you want to do — but it can help. It helps with stress relief and lifts the mood. Don’t hide away and avoid everything that brings you joy.
With embryo adoption, you can overcome male infertility. To learn more about embryo adoption and donation, visit EmbryoAdoption.org.
Recent Comments