The Experience of Infertility: A Review of Recent Literature on Male Infertility Due to Post Testicular Disorders

Abstract

Infertility is usually well-defined as the inability of a couple to conceive even after one year of unprotected, frequent sexual intercourse [1,2]. At least 180 million people worldwide and about 15% of all couples in the US are affected by it [3,4]. Male infertility is defined as the inability of a male to successfully carry a fertile female to term, also for at least one year of unprotected sexual activity. About 20% of all cases of infertility are solely the male's fault, and another 30% to 40% have the male as a contributing factor [5]. Due to the frequent coexistence of male and female causes of infertility, it is crucial that both partners undergo infertility testing and receive joint management. A total of 50% of all cases of infertility are significantly attributed to the male factor [6-8]. Even though clinical emphasis still dominates research, more studies are now situating infertility within broader social contexts and social scientific frameworks. Methodological issues persist, but there have also been significant advances. In the social scientific study of infertility, we identify two active research traditions. In order to enhance service delivery and determine the need for psychological counseling, one tradition studies clinic patients primarily using quantitative techniques. The other tradition uses primarily qualitative research to capture the experiences of infertile people in a sociocultural context. We conclude that more attention is now being paid to the ways in which the experience of infertility is shaped by social context. We call for continued progress in the development of a distinctly sociological approach to infertility and for the continued integration of the two research traditions identified here.