A Qualitative Exploration of Social Support in Males and Females Experiencing Issues With Infertility

Abstract

Introduction:The purpose of this study was to qualitatively investigate and compare male and female experiences of infertility in the context of social support.Methods: A Qualtrics survey (Qualtrics, Provo, Utah, United States) was posted to online fertility support groups and the responses were thematically analyzed. Only participants that completed the qualitative component of the survey were included in the study. Responses were subsequently thematically analyzed.Results: A sample of 110 participants (13 males and 97 females) were included in the present study. Thematic analyses revealed that isolation and loneliness, stigma, sentiments of misunderstanding, insensitive reactions, and others' unhelpful attempts at support were general recurring themes, especially amongst females. Males predominantly reported negative emotional experiences and stigma, often feeling overlooked when compared with women despite being equally affected by these issues. Conclusion:Our study provides insight into the factors that contribute to perceived isolation amongst the infertile population. These largely stemmed from feeling misunderstood and from others' inexperience with infertility. Spreading awareness and facilitating dialogue and education across not only the infertile population but also the community, is therefore critical to begin addressing the mental health effects of infertility.

The Relationship Between Serum Anti-Müllerian Hormone and Basal Antral Follicle Count in Infertile Women Under 35 Years: An Assessment of Ovarian Reserve

“…WHO defines infertility as "a disease of the male or female reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse" [97]. Childlessness is a medical ailment [110] that often instigates emotional, bodily, cerebral, religious, saintly, increased stress, depression, anxiety, and medical impairments among the sufferer; female partners remain considerably more likely to face these agonies and pain [111][112][113][114][115][116][117]. The inimitable characteristic of this medical disease enmeshed distressing both the case and the patient's connubial spouse as a couple with martial frustration; again, women are the principal victims [116,117].…”

A Qualitative Exploration of Psychosocial Support Strategies for Reducing Psychological Distress among Clients Attending an Assisted Reproductive Center in South-West Nigeria

“…Overall, social support plays an important role in helping a person adapt to life's crises and lead a healthy life. It acts as a mental cleanser enabling individuals to overcome mental stress by feeling belonging to one or more groups (Borowczak & Rotoli, 2022).…”

Trudging Through Infertility

“…There are few studies that examine how men cope with infertility, but it has been reported that men often feel overlooked, in addition to feeling isolation, loneliness, depression, grief, and inadequacy. 3,5 Despite all the training I had received to help women navigate infertility, I felt ill-equipped to address my own feelings as a man experiencing it. Initially, even my wife and I were not able to fully understand the depths of pain the other was feeling.…”

“…Even with infertility being so common, many couples do not share their struggles with infertility with even close family members or friends and often are left processing a multitude of feelings in isolation. 3 Because vulnerability begets further vulnerability, I believe that it takes people sharing their stories for others to recognize that they are not alone. By sharing my journey with infertility, it is my hope that other people experiencing infertility will feel less inclined to navigate it by themselves.…”