Men’s experiences of the infertility vary depending on sociocultural factors. This study aimed to explore the challenges faced by men experiencing infertility in a patriarchal, developing society. Understanding their emotional needs and lived experiences can guide the development of gender-sensitive and holistic care. An interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach was employed. The study included 16 men diagnosed with infertility who had completed in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment in Türkiye. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews. The analysis revealed three main themes: “desire for fatherhood under sociocultural pressure,” “facing infertility: emotional struggles,” and “the treatment experience amid waves of stress.” The findings suggest that participants perceived infertility as process characterized by both distress and hope, expressed a desire to be actively involved in treatment, and required non-judgmental support from their environment.
AbdullahzadehMVanakiZMohammadiE, et al. (2024) Exploring men’s struggles with infertility: A qualitative content analysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing80(5): 2018–2026.
2.
AlaminSAllahyariTGhorbaniB, et al. (2020) Failure in dentity building as the main challenge of infertility: A qualitative study. Journal of Reproduction and Infertility21(1): 49–58.
3.
AryaSTDibbB (2016) The experience of infertility treatment: The male perspective. Human Fertility19(4): 242–248.
4.
BendayanMSaisEAlterL, et al. (2022) For patients with non-obstructive azoospermia, the outcome of testicular sperm extraction correlates with self-esteem, sexual health and the quality of the couple’s relationship. Basic and Clinical Andrology32(1): 3.
5.
BiggsSNHallidayJHammarbergK (2024) Psychological consequences of a diagnosis of infertility in men: A systematic analysis. Asian Journal of Andrology26(1): 10–19.
6.
ChenDZhangJPJiangL, et al. (2016) Factors that influence in vitro fertilization treatment outcomes of Chinese men: A cross-sectional study. Applied Nursing Research32: 222–226.
7.
de VriesCEJVeerman-VerweijEMvan Den HoogenA, et al. (2024) The psychosocial impact of male infertility on men undergoing ICSI treatment: A qualitative study. Reproductive Health21(1): 26.
8.
DyerSJAbrahamsNMokoenaNE (2004) ‘You are a man because you have children’: Experiences, reproductive health knowledge and treatment-seeking behaviour among men suffering from couple infertility in South Africa. Human Reproduction19(4): 960–967.
GünbayıISormS (2020) Social Paradigms in Guiding Management Social Development and Social Research. Pegem Akademi Yayıncılık.
11.
HannaEGoughB (2020) The social construction of male infertility: A qualitative questionnaire study of men with a male factor infertility diagnosis. Sociology of Health & Illness42(3): 465–480.
12.
HiadziRABoafoIMTettehPM (2021) ‘God helps those who help themselves’. . . religion and assisted reproductive technology usage amongst urban Ghanaians. PLoS One16(12): e0260346.
13.
HintonLMillerT (2013) Mapping men’s anticipations and experiences in the reproductive realm: (In)fertility journeys. Reproductive Biomedicine Online27(3): 244–252.
14.
HoweSZuluJMBoivinJ, et al. (2020) The social and cultural meanings of infertility for men and women in Zambia: Legacy, family and divine intervention. Facts, Views and Vision in ObGyn12(3): 185–193.
15.
HynieMBurns HammerL (2006) Cross-cultural issues in infertility counseling. In: CovingtonSNBurnsHL (eds) Infertility Counseling: A Comprehensive Handbook for Clinicians, 2nd edn. Cambridge University Press, pp.61–82.
16.
IwelumorOSJamaludinSSSGeorgeTO, et al. (2020) “A child is as important as life”: Reflections on the value of children from infertile couples. Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences8: 302–307.
17.
KottakCP (2002) Antropoloji – İnsan Çeşitliliğine Bir Bakış. (tran. various translators) Ütopya Yayınları.
18.
KyeiJMManuAKotohAM, et al. (2021) Beliefs about children and the psychosocial implications of infertility on individuals seeking assisted fertilization in Ghana. Reproductive Biomedicine & Society Online12: 88–95.
19.
LangdridgeDSheeranPConnollyK (2005) Understanding the reasons for parenthood. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology23(2): 121–133.
20.
MerriamSB (2013) Nitel Araştırma: Desen ve Uygulama Için Bir Rehber. (tran. STuran) Nobel Yayınları.
21.
MikkelsenATMadsenSAHumaidanP (2013) Psychological aspects of male fertility treatment. Journal of Advanced Nursing69(9): 1977–1986.
22.
NagórskaMBartosiewiczAObrzutB, et al. (2019) Gender differences in the experience of infertility concerning Polish couples: Preliminary Research. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health16(13): 2337.
23.
NazBBatoolSS (2017) Infertility related issues and challenges: Perspectives of patients, spouses, and infertility experts. Pakistan Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology15(2): 3–11.
24.
ObstKLOxladMTurnbullD, et al. (2023) “No one asked me if I’m alright”: A mixed-methods study exploring information/support needs and challenges engaging men diagnosed with male-factor infertility. American Journal of Men’s Health17(6): 15579883231209210.
25.
Öskan FıratBHotun ŞahinN (2022) Toplumsal cinsiyet rolleri kapsamında infertilite ve damgalanma: Bir sistematik derleme. Ordu Üniversitesi Hemşirelik Çalışmaları Dergisi5(1): 93–103.
26.
PakpahanCIbrahimRWilliamW, et al. (2023) “Am I masculine?” A metasynthesis of qualitative studies on traditional masculinity on infertility. F1000Research12: 252.
27.
PatelASharmaPSNarayanP, et al. (2016) Distress in infertile males in Manipal-India: A clinic based study. Journal of Reproduction and Infertility17(4): 213–220.
28.
PekelE (2019) Toplumsal cinsiyet rolleri ve kadının çalışma hayatındaki konumu. Balkan and Near Eastern Journal of Social Sciences5(1): 30–39.
29.
PottingerAMCarrollKMasonG (2016) Male attitude towards masturbating: An impediment to infertility evaluation and sperm parameters. Andrologia48(7): 774–778.
30.
RomeiroJCaldeiraS (2019) The human responses and nursing diagnoses of those living with infertility: A qualitative systematic review. International Journal of Nursing Knowledge30(3): 173–189.
31.
Sakallı-UğurluNTürkoğluB (2019) “Erkek” olmak ya da olmamak: Sosyal psikolojik açıdan erkeksilik/erkeklik çalışmaları. Türk Psikoloji Yazıları22(44): 52–76.
32.
SarıRErciyesJ (2021) İnfertil çiftlerde psikolojik; sosyal ve cinsel problemler. İstanbul Kent Üniversitesi İnsan ve Toplum Bilimleri Dergisi2(2): 79–94.
33.
SauvéM-SPéloquinKBrassardA (2020) Moving forward together, stronger, and closer: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of marital benefits in infertile couples. Journal of Health Psychology25(10–11): 1532–1542.
34.
SavaşG (2018) Türkiye’de yaşayan bireylerin toplumsal cinsiyet eşit(siz)liği algısı. Akdeniz Kadın Çalışmaları ve Toplumsal Cinsiyet Dergisi1(2): 101–121.
35.
SchickMRösnerSTothB, et al. (2016) Exploring involuntary childlessness in men – A qualitative study assessing quality of life, role aspects and control beliefs in men’s perception of the fertility treatment process. Human Fertility19(1): 32–42.
36.
SextyREHamadnehJRösnerS, et al. (2016) Cross-cultural comparison of fertility specific quality of life in German, Hungarian and Jordanian couples attending a fertility center. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes14(1): 27.
SylvestRFürbringerJKPinborgA, et al. (2018) Low semen quality and experiences of masculinity and family building. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica97(6): 727–733.
39.
ThompsonRLeeC (2011) Sooner or later? Young Australian men’s perspectives on timing of parenthood. Journal of Health Psychology16(5): 807–818.
40.
TongASainsburyPCraigJ (2007) Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): A 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups. International Journal for Quality in Health Care19(6): 349–357.
WuWLaJSchubachKM, et al. (2023) Psychological, social, and sexual challenges affecting men receiving male infertility treatment: A systematic review and implications for clinical care. Asian Journal of Andrology25(4): 448–453.
43.
Yousefi AfrashtehMGhodrati MirkuhiM (2020) Emotional and psychological consequences of infertility in a group of men with over 4 years of follow-up treatment: A qualitative study. Journal of Qualitative Research in Health Sciences8(4): 1–8.
44.
YücesoyHYıldırımFŞahinE (2021) İnfertilitenin kültürel, ekonomik, psikososyal ve cinsel yönüne güncel bir bakış: Temel hemşirelik yaklaşımları. Androloji Bülteni22(4): 256–263.
Supplementary Material
Please find the following supplemental material available below.
For Open Access articles published under a Creative Commons License, all supplemental material carries the same license as the article it is associated with.
For non-Open Access articles published, all supplemental material carries a non-exclusive license, and permission requests for re-use of supplemental material or any part of supplemental material shall be sent directly to the copyright owner as specified in the copyright notice associated with the article.
