Infertility Is a Couple’s Issue: Facing the Journey Together
For this reason, it is essential to address the possibility of male infertility with the same level of attention and medical intervention as female infertility.
In this article, we discuss the fact that infertility is a shared challenge that affects both partners, and discover that approaching infertility as a couple’s issue is vital for emotional wellbeing, accurate diagnosis, and effective treatment.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), infertility affects approximately one in six people globally during their reproductive lifetime.
The WHO also notes that although both men and women can experience infertility, women are often perceived to be partner responsible for a couple’s infertility. As a result, in many cultures, female partners in infertile couples experience added emotional stress, depression, anxiety and low self-esteem, and even social stigma, divorce and violence.
Men And Women Are Equally Likely to Experience Infertility
While the misconception that infertility is primarily a female issue is still prevalent, the truth is that infertility is not a gender-specific issue, it is medically recognised as a condition that affects men and women equally.
According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), about 40% of infertility cases are attributed to female factors, 40% to male factors, and the remaining 20% are caused by a combination of issues, or remain unexplained.
Because both men and women are equally likely to experience fertility challenges, it is important for couples to seek support and medical evaluation together.
Both the male and female partner need to undergo evaluations when the couple has been trying to conceive without success for more than 12 months, or for more than six months if the female partner is older than 35.
Other reasons to see a fertility specialist sooner rather than later include:
- The male partner is more than 50 years old
- Known problems with the genitals
- Prior history of sexually transmitted diseases
- Problems with ejaculation
- Prior pelvic or abdominal surgery
- Ovulation problems or irregular menstrual periods.
SASREG (Southern African Society of Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecological Endoscopy) underscores the importance of a comprehensive assessment for both partners and recommends that a complete fertility workup include semen analysis, ovulation tracking, hormonal testing, and imaging studies, to ensure both partners are properly evaluated and treated.
The good news is that both men and women have access to a range of treatments, depending on the cause of infertility. In many cases, lifestyle changes, medical treatments, surgical interventions or advanced therapies can significantly improve the chances of conception.
Both Male and Female Partners Are Impacted Infertility
Along with the realisation that a couple’s infertility could as likely be the result of medical factors on the male partner’s side as it could be on the female partner’s side, it is also important to recognise that infertility has significant negative social impacts on the lives of both partners in infertile couples. Below are some examples.
Shared Emotional Stress
Infertility often brings great emotional distress that impacts both partners. Regardless of sex, feelings of sadness, guilt, disappointment, frustration, helplessness and anxiety are common and can take a toll on the mental health of the partners and the strength of the relationship.
While both men and women responded to the diagnosis of infertility with negative emotions, men and women tend to react and cope in different ways. Studies have found, for example, that women tend toward feeling sadness, while men are more likely to experience helplessness.
Women have also been found to believe in the success of the treatment to a greater extent than men do, and women are more likely to attempt to talk openly about the problem of infertility, while men are more restrained in this respect. Women are also more accepting of the assisted reproductive technologies (ART), while men accept childlessness more often than women.
Despite their different approaches, it is important that both partners work together to navigate this challenging journey toward parenthood. Emotional support between partners can significantly help in managing the psychological burden of infertility.
Facing the journey together helps partners feel less isolated and more capable of coping with treatment challenges and outcomes.
Joint Participation in Treatment
Fertility treatments, including ovulation induction, intrauterine insemination (IUI), and in vitro fertilisation (IVF), require joint commitment. Both partners are typically involved in decision-making, planning, and, in many cases, direct participation in medical procedures.
Male partners may need to provide semen samples, follow specific lifestyle guidelines, or undergo medical treatment. Female partners often undergo hormone treatments and more invasive procedures. The best outcomes are achieved when both partners are equally involved and supportive throughout the process.
Financial Responsibility
Assisted reproductive technologies can be costly, particularly when multiple treatment cycles are needed. IVF, for example, involves significant financial investment.
Couples must work together to navigate the economic impact, which may include budgeting, evaluating financing options, or considering insurance coverage where applicable.
SASREG recommends early financial planning and open communication between partners to reduce stress and maintain unity during the journey.
Social and Lifestyle Adjustments
Fertility treatment can lead to lifestyle changes, such as dietary modifications, reduced alcohol or caffeine intake, and managing stress levels. Couples may also need to set boundaries with friends or family, especially in societies where there is strong pressure to conceive.
Social events, family gatherings, and conversations about parenthood may become emotionally triggering. Facing these societal and lifestyle challenges as a united front fosters resilience and mutual understanding.
Long-Term Family Planning
Infertility can delay or alter a couple’s vision of their future family. This may involve reconsidering timelines, exploring alternative paths to parenthood such as egg or sperm donation, or deciding on adoption. These long-term decisions require open communication, shared values, and emotional alignment.
At Cape Fertility, we have seen many couples emerge stronger after facing infertility together, having built a foundation of trust and cooperation.
A United Front Improves Outcomes
Approaching infertility as a couple’s issue ensures both partners feel valued, heard, and supported. Research as well as clinical experience from our team at Cape Fertility confirm that emotional connection and mutual support between partners not only improve quality of life but may also positively influence treatment outcomes.
As SASREG and WHO both emphasise, a holistic, couple-focused approach is essential for navigating infertility with resilience and hope.
Facing infertility together strengthens the relationship, promotes emotional healing, and provides a more unified path toward building the family you dream of.
Taking Your Next Step – Together
If you are concerned about your fertility, the next step on your fertility journey is simply to contact us by clicking here…
At Cape Fertility, we value each individual patient and we look forward to providing you with individualised and personalised care, affordable quality fertility treatment, and higher success rates at our purpose-built premises in the beautiful city of Cape Town.