Exploring men's struggles with infertility: A qualitative content analysis

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Men's Health
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• Male infertility is often overlooked in clinical research and practice.
• Sociocultural factors significantly influence men's experiences and acceptance of fertility care.
• Understanding men's perspectives is vital for improving infertility services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the lived experiences of men with primary infertility.
• To identify the central struggles faced by men undergoing infertility.
• To inform culturally sensitive approaches in fertility care.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study employing in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 11 men in Iran.
• Conventional content analysis used for data analysis, adhering to Krippendorff's guidelines.
• Study followed Lincoln and Guba's criteria for accuracy and COREQ checklist for reporting.

Main Results:

• A central theme of "threat to masculinity" emerged from the analysis.
• Six categories detailed the struggle: psychological pressure, frustration, social discomfort, enduring ridicule, tolerating opinions, and concealment.
• These findings highlight the profound impact of societal expectations on men's infertility journey.

Conclusions:

• Male infertility poses a significant challenge to men's sense of masculinity.
• Culturally sensitive care, emotional support, and public awareness are essential to reduce stigma.
• Enhancing infertility care requires attention to sociocultural factors and patient beliefs.