Male Reproductive Health Matters

Male Reproductive Health Matters: Infertility

Infertility is a disease of the male or female reproductive system which could affect a  couple’s inability to conceive after a year of unprotected sex. This can be emotionally painful, especially for couples who yearn to have children of their own. Prolonged infertility issues, if left untreated, can leave couples with emotional distress, strained relationships, and eroding self-confidence. Infertility, in short, can be devastating.

In most cases, women bear the brunt of the blame for infertility. This is because women are viewed as vessels in producing offspring for their spouses in various cultures. Many people overlook the fact that men too play a role in whether a child can be conceived successfully.

The truth is, men are equally as responsible as women when it comes to infertility. 

The Talk of the Town on Male Infertility

According to PubMed Central, male infertility contributes to approximately 50% of infertility cases globally. While there is a lack of accurate statistics on the regions with the highest male infertility rates, many agree that the highest rates come from Africa and Central/Eastern Europe [1]. 

Geography aside, why are women usually the ones who bear the brunt of the blame? 

Now the answer may come as a surprise to many, but the fact is, public awareness of male infertility has been at an all-time low. 

Infertility strikes deep into a man’s soul and it is something that many often think will never happen to them. Men who have healthy sexual appetites may not even be aware that they are, in fact, infertile [2]. 

Even if men are aware of their infertility,  most of them prefer not to discuss it due to  fear of being ridiculed, judged, or shamed. Society often compares a man's fertility to his virility, and these erroneous beliefs about not being a "real man" can cause mental distress. To many people, male infertility is a stigma that should be swept under the rug and kept a secret.

Also, even if men are willing to seek help, help may not be readily available since the focus is usually so much more on women. People tend to forget that men need help too. 

These health associated gender stereotypes among our society needs a change  to encourage everybody regardless of their gender to be more vocal on their mental and physical wellness, at least with people who have their best interest in mind. 

Breaking The Stigma As Our Way Forward 

Although infertility is fairly common, there is no denying how isolating it can be. Male infertility requires increased public awareness and medical intervention. Social media can be a very effective educational platform, allowing people from all walks of life to learn about the "whys" and "hows" of male infertility.

The current advancements in infertility diagnosis and treatment have allowed many couples, or in this case, men, to maintain hope in having a child. Malaysia, positioned as Asia's Fertility Hub [3], aids not only the locals, but also to prospective healthcare travellers seeking top-tier fertility treatment. 

Malaysia Healthcare, through our member hospitals, offers a wide range of affordable and high-quality treatments, including consultation and examination by our fertility specialists, such as:

1. In-vitro Fertilization (IVF)
2. Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT)
3. Sperm Extraction & Retrieval Procedures (PESA / TESA / TESE)
4. Cryopreservation

Malaysia Healthcare is committed to giving hope, guidance and support to aspiring parents through their journey into parenthood. Reach out to Malaysia Healthcare to ensure your reproductive health is under check.

References

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4424520/

[2]https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/no-link-between-mans-sexual-drive-and-low-sperm-count/articleshow/15914208.cms 

[3]https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2022/04/784996/malaysia-safe-and-trusted-healthcare-travel-destination