Why don't we talk about male infertility? Let's find out with Michael Hughes

unRipe - Learning to Embrace the Childless Life

“I was given a sample jar and a key; the technician then tells me that I’m in the room behind me. “There is only one key so you can feel secure that once locked no-one else will enter”, she said. “There is scotch in the cupboard and magazines in the draw, wash your hands before you start and do not get any other liquid in the sample jar”. In a daze I turned, opened the door and stepped inside, then the reality of my situation dawned on me. Lock the door, lock the door, I thought.”

I didn't get a bottle of scotch at my IVF clinic!

Today I speak with Michael Hughes about male infertility and what it's like to be a childless man in a world that thinks all men can keep fathering children until the day they die, like Mick Jagger and Rod Stewart.
But here are the facts: Those men are the odd ones. One in six couples have difficulties falling pregnant. Overall, one-third of infertility cases are caused by male reproductive issues, one-third by female reproductive problems and another third by both male and female reproductive challenges or by unknown factors. Plus, the paternal age effect is a huge factor. What's that? Have a listen.

Enough of the stats. Let’s talk to a real live man who, along with his wife Vickie, has grappled with infertility, and has written his story in a moving and honest blog – Married and Childless. Michael talks bout his experience and, today, he’s going to enlighten us about a lot of things, including the toxic language around male fertility.

Michael blogs over at: https://www.marriedandchildless.com
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Sound engineering and original music by Jeff Willis. You can find his tunes on Spotify and iTunes
Produced by Jo Vraca