Male infertility: an obstacle to sexuality?

Abstract

SUMMARYInteractions between infertility and sexuality are numerous and complex. Infertile men may suffer from sexual dysfunction (SD) when undergoing an assisted reproductive technology programme. We undertook a review both in French and English of the available data on male SD when being diagnosed with a fertility problem with a specific focus on azoospermic men. The review was performed over a 30-year time period using PubMed/Medline. The sexual concerns and needs of infertile/sterile men for whom potential parenting can be compromised were evaluated. When diagnosed with infertility, men usually go through a crisis that can have a deleterious effect on their sexuality with sometimes a feeling of sexual inadequacy. Infertile men will feel stigmatized because they are perceived as being deficient in a specific component of their masculinity. Hence, subsequent SD may occur that can impact the couple sexuality and the infertility management. However, little is known on how the announcement of azoospermia may affect male on a sexual and psychological point of view. The present review suggests that a global management through a healthcare network (biologist, andrologist, sexologist and psychologist) is required which will allow to consider infertility and its subsequent sexual disorders as a whole and not as dichotomized issues.

Evaluation of sexual dysfunction and its associated risk factors in the male partners of the infertile couples using International Index of Erectile Function

“…In the infertile men, sexual dysfunction is an intricate issue (13) that may have a deep impact on the quality of their sexual life (14( . Men with infertility experience a crisis that may have an injurious outcome on their sexual function with the perception of sexual inefficacy (15) . Many infertile men believe that infertility is associated with the loss of virility and masculinity, resulting in the sexual problems (13) .…”

037 Semen Quality Impairment is Associated with Sexual Dysfunction According to its Severity

“…Somatized anxiety is the unconscious process by which psychological distress is expressed as physical symptoms (APA, 2013). It is well known that infertile men may develop feelings of inadequacy, guilt, depression, distress, anxiety (Ferraresi et al, 2013;Bechoua et al, 2016), low virility, low selfesteem (Owens, 1982;Gannon et al, 2004) and psychological pressure resulting from sex aimed at conception (Monga et al, 2004;Song et al, 2015). Accordingly, the announcement of azoospermia has been described as 'the worst news ever received' (Johansson et al, 2011).…”

“…Accordingly, the announcement of azoospermia has been described as 'the worst news ever received' (Johansson et al, 2011). Infertility per se and related psychological problems, including anxiety, are associated with sexual dysfunction, including ED (Berger, 1980;Marci et al, 2012;Ferraresi et al, 2013;Bechoua et al, 2016).…”

“…These studies reported a prevalence of~18% and~16% for ED and PE, respectively (Lotti et al, 2012;Gao et al, 2013). Infertile patients with sexual dysfunction have a higher prevalence of mood disturbances, such as anxiety and depressive symptoms, when compared to infertile men without sexual problems or fertile subjects (Ferraresi et al, 2013;Bechoua et al, 2016). However, the relationship between sexual dysfunction and the degree of fertility impairment has never been investigated.…”

Male Infertility is a Women’s Health Issue—Research and Clinical Evaluation of Male Infertility Is Needed

“…This can prevent the premature and unnecessary use of ART [48]. Both partners can support each other through the stress they feel when each understands the conditions that confound their inability to conceive [10,[49][50][51][52]. Knowing they are not alone in their treatment and are doing all they can reduces the burden of infertility on both the man and the woman [49].…”