When we talk about infertility, the focus tends to be on the woman. After some basic tests, IVF is often seen as a solution. But half of the time, infertility is caused by issues with the man’s sperm. And sperm counts are on the decline worldwide.
Toby Trice tells Helen Pidd about how he and his wife spent years trying to conceive and had had two rounds of IVF before they discovered a problem with his testicles was behind their difficulties. He says he struggled with feelings of guilt and shame afterwards. Yet his issues were resolved with a routine operation.
Michael Carroll is an associate professor in reproductive science. He says it is time to talk more openly about the issue. “If you pull a bicep in the gym, you would talk about that. If you’re not producing sperm, you can talk about that. The fact that your testicles aren’t producing sperm doesn’t make you less of a man.”
Photograph: Christian Sinibaldi/The Guardian
