Male Infertility

Why Movember provides a platform for us to talk about it

It’s that time of year again when there is an influx of men’s faces becoming wild, bushy, woolly and outrageously cool!  What started off as a small statement years ago, in an attempt to bring awareness to much-needed discussions about men’s health, catapulted into a worldwide movement that today challenges any bewhiskered gentleman around the world, to grow a Mo for the full month of November.  

Since it started, the Movember Foundation has successfully funded men’s health programmes across the globe, that set out to educate and build awareness around the issues men face,  such as testicular/prostate cancer and mental health. 

Did you know that testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men aged 15-39? It is therefore critical that men check for any abnormalities on a regular basis. If you are concerned and need assistance in how to check your testicles, speak to your general practitioner as soon as possible. 

Male Infertility:

Another very serious issue that is often overlooked, is male infertility, as the emotional impact that infertility has on men is often neglected; regardless of whether infertility stems from them or from their partner. 

At HART, we have always advocated the need to address the stigma surrounding this.  It is a topic that is rarely discussed or brought into a public space because our society does a great job of making men feel emasculated; it is viewed as a taboo for men to open up about their own emotional scars or to seek help.  

Semen Analysis:

We offer our male patients a simple semen analysis test that will determine the quality and feasibility of a man’s sperm; semen is classified as the fluid containing sperm that is released during ejaculation. The semen test, therefore, determines three important elements:

• Sperm Count
• Sperm motility (how sperm moves around)
• Shape of the sperm

So, if you and your partner have not been able to fall pregnant successfully in the past year, book this simple test.

Conclusion:

So, this Movember, whilst growing a MO to save a BRO, start conversations with your Mo-Bro’s and Mo-Sisters about the importance of men opening up about their own struggles, whether it be about pain, loss, mental health, infertility or cancer concerns.

The more we champion breaking that silence, the more globally acceptable it will be for men to make the crucial step forward by speaking out and in turn, taking their reproductive (and general) health more seriously.

BIG respect to all our BRO’s out there!

Check out our blog: The emotional impact of male infertility