Psychological Aspects of Male Infertility. An Overview

Current literature indicates that in high-income countries some 15% of heterosexual couples experience difficulties conceiving, in up to half of these cases infertility is attributable to the male partner. Research findings - mostly focused upon women - suggest that women develop more distress when facing infertility, but that may be a construct influenced by gender stereotypes. Men are also psychologically affected by infertility, displaying impaired self-esteem and inadequacy in relation to their societal role, eventually feeling responsible for denying their wives a child. Further developments will focus upon effective psychosocial interventions, including refined counseling approaches for couples undergoing ART treatments.