Women continue to be unfairly blamed for societal problems with infertility, even though infertility can be caused by a multitude of factors, including male issues. This blame places an unnecessary burden on women and contributes to feelings of inadequacy and failure.
Society’s narrow focus on women as the culprits of infertility also serves to reinforce traditional gender roles and expectations. By placing the blame solely on women, there is a lack of accountability for partners and a failure to address the systemic issues that may contribute to fertility challenges.
Infertility is not an issue with only women. Both, men and women can be infertile or are responsible for the condition. The process of reproduction requires mutual co-operation from both sexes. Therefore, they can together contribute towards infertility as well. It is wrong to blame the woman only. According to the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth data, it has been found that about 7.5 % men in the age group of 18-45 years (who have has sexual exposure) visited infertility clinics at least once in their lifetime. Of these men, about 18% were affected by male-related infertility issues.
Infertility is not an issue with only women. Both, men and women can be infertile or are responsible for the condition. The process of reproduction requires mutual co-operation from both sexes. Therefore, they can together contribute towards infertility as well. It is wrong to blame the woman only. According to the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth data, it has been found that about 7.5 % men in the age group of 18-45 years (who have has sexual exposure) visited infertility clinics at least once in their lifetime. Of these men, about 18% were affected by male-related infertility issues.
Infertility in men: Men can suffer from infertility due to various factors. Infertility can be detected by analysis of the semen. A doctor can evaluate the concentration of the semen or determine the sperm count, the mobility of the sperm and its shape or morphology. These are important for fertility.
When infertility comes into the picture, we are not exempt from this process because we want to find a solution. Instead this could backfire and cause a dangerous case of the blame game. Whether you blame yourself or your partner, either one could be detrimental to the health of your relationship. If a husband blames the wife this can affect her confidence and self-esteem which could impact the way she interacts with her husband and other people. If a wife blames the husband, this can affect his ego and masculinity. He could feel emasculated and not enough of a man for his wife. The blame game can break down both partners leaving them to be a shell of their former selves.
Whether infertility issues are found in the male or the female, it is important not to blame anyone. Many of the factors that cause infertility may have been unavoidable. If it is avoidable or reversible then you have a means forward. Blaming doesn’t resolve the issue, working together as a couple with your fertility doctor does. At the fertility clinic, a fertility doctor will be able to give you a course of treatment that would be in line with your fertility issues. As a couple, you need to support each other during this time because stress can decrease the possibility of conception. So it is essential that you both remain calm and carry on with your lives as a normal couple.
Infertility can be tough and it can be a lengthy journey. However, if you have a strong foundation as a couple, you can get through this.
