You want to go to a reproductive health specialist and discuss fertility problems you and your partner have had. But whenever you bring up the subject, he becomes defensive and refuses to attend even an exploratory meeting with a physician… let alone hear you out.
What gives?
For many men, especially those who were raised in families where infertility and reproductive health were “verboten” issues, discussing topics like this can be extremely difficult. And for other men, there can be an overwhelming fear that they might be facing male infertility.
What many men simply don’t realize is that male infertility is quite common. In fact, just as many fertility problems can be caused by male infertility factors as female infertility factors! But that can be little relief for the wife or partner of the man who won’t even discuss going to a doctor.
If you’re with someone who finds the male infertility discussion difficult, there are a few routes you can take.
First, you can make an appointment on your own to see a reproductive health specialist who can assist you in getting some information.
Next, you can get in touch with a counselor who might be able to give you advice on broaching the subject of male infertility.
Finally, you may just have to be patient but direct. If you both want children and you haven’t conceived naturally (though you’ve been having sexual intercourse regularly and without protection) in a 6-12 month period, there’s something amiss. That could be the bare fact that gets him to attend an appointment in the hopes of getting one step closer to a solution.