By Adedamilola Atiba-Sogules
In many African societies, infertility is still viewed largely as a woman’s problem. When pregnancy does not happen, attention often shifts immediately to the woman — her body, her choices, her past. Men are rarely questioned, rarely tested, and often excluded from fertility discussions. Yet medical evidence is clear: male factor infertility contributes to about half of infertility cases worldwide.
This gap between science and societal belief continues to fuel stigma, delay diagnosis, and place unnecessary emotional burden on women.
What Is Male Factor Infertility?
Male factor infertility refers to challenges related to sperm — including low sperm count, poor movement, abnormal shape, blockages, infections, hormonal issues, or genetic factors.
Sometimes, no clear cause is found. Importantly, infertility is a medical condition, not a moral failure or curse.
Common Myths That Need to Be Addressed
“I got someone pregnant years ago, so I can’t be infertile.”
Fertility is not fixed. A man’s fertility can change over time due to age, infections, lifestyle factors, medical conditions, or environmental exposure.
Past fertility does not guarantee present fertility.
“I ejaculate a lot of semen, so everything is fine.”
Semen volume does not equal fertility. What matters is the number of sperm, how well they move, and whether they are healthy.
“If pregnancy hasn’t happened, the woman must be the problem.”
Fertility is shared. Evaluation should be shared too.“Male infertility is spiritual or a punishment.”
Infertility is not a spiritual judgement. It is a health condition.
Clearing the Confusion:
Erectile Problems vs InfertilityImpotence or erectile dysfunction refers to difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection.A man with erectile dysfunction may still have healthy sperm.Infertility refers to difficulty achieving pregnancy due to sperm quality or function.
Why Male Evaluation Matters
A complete fertility assessment should always involve both partners. For men, this usually begins with a semen analysis — a simple and informative test.
Changing the Narrative
Infertility is not a woman’s burden to carry alone. It is a shared journey that deserves understanding, compassion, and evidence-based care.
About the Author
Adedamilola Atiba-Sogule is a Senior Clinical Embryologist with experience in fertility care and reproductive health education across Africa and North America.
She is passionate about reducing stigma around infertility and promoting informed, science-based conversations.For questions or further discussion,
contact:adedamilolasogules@gmail.com
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