Fertile ground for social support? Understanding men's use of online infertility support groups

Men grappling with infertility often face emotional distress due to stigma and masculinity norms. Social support is vital in coping with infertility, and with the rise of digital health, much of it has shifted online. However, Dutch-speaking online infertility support groups (OISGs) remain unexplored, especially regarding male support inclusion. Existing research focuses on message content, offering limited insight into user demographics and usage patterns. Men's online support experiences are largely unexplored, and studies rarely examine online and offline networks together, despite their combined importance for support and wellbeing. This study addresses these gaps through three objectives: (1) explore the availability of Dutch- speaking OISGs and their inclusion of male-specific support; (2) map characteristics of male users and their usage of OISGs; and (3) understand how men experience online versus offline infertility support, and what factors shape their use.

A multistage mixed-method design was used in Flanders and the Netherlands, comprising three sequential components: (1) an environmental scan; (2) an online survey; and (3) online semi-structured interviews.

Findings show that Dutch OISGs are scarce and male-specific support is not self-evident. Users are predominantly higher-SES, indicating selective access. Freya is the most used platform, with sustained but varied usage. Men's engagement is shaped by an interplay of digital and psychosocial factors, with perceived anonymity acting as a paradox. Online and offline infertility support are experienced as complementary, fulfilling different needs. The core distinction lies in the nature of relationships, peer versus intimate, rather than the medium. Support needs are dynamic across both settings.

These insights underscore the need for more, inclusive, and tailored support strategies that address the dynamic needs of men navigating infertility in both online and offline contexts.