7 Fun Facts About Thanksgiving You Probably Dont Know

7 Fun Facts About Thanksgiving You Probably Dont KnowThanksgiving is a holiday that brings people together. Regardless of what your race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation is, its a time when we can all get together, enjoy good food and share what were thankful for. To get you prepared for this year, weve compiled an infographic with some fun facts about Thanksgiving you might not have known. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) )

Male Fertility Why We Need to Be Talking About It

Male Fertility Why We Need to Be Talking About It Infertility is unfortunately very common. A recent study showed that 22% of men and 26% of women in a large cohort had reported that they had been attempting to conceive for 12 months without success(Thea van Roode, 2015). According to the CDC, about 12% of couples will have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term (CDC.gov). Tzu siche are many different ways to create a family and many different family structures.For purposes of this article, were talking about males and their female partners.We have all learned by now that a womans ability to use her own eggs to conceiveis directly correlated to her age. In other words, as a woman ages, her fertility decreases, and shes likely to have mora problems getting pregnant (asrm.org). And if we paid attention in biology class, we know that it takes both a healthy egg and a healthy sperm (as well as a few other factors) to make a baby.Yet, we spend a lot of time talking ab out female infertility and reproductive health and less time talking about male factor infertility, even though when heterosexual couples experience fertility problems, they are caused by a male fertility issue at least a third of the time (CDC.gov).The role of male fertility in the processSo, why is the discussion uneven when we know fertility problems can be caused by an individual and sometimes combined factors?And what harm does this lack of discussion and education potentially create?I know from working with women, men, and couples for years both at Progyny and in a clinic setting that knowledge is power and so much of what alleviates the stress around fertility is knowledge about the process. It can be confusing and daunting when you dont know what to expect, and the fertility process is no different.It can be frightening at first. There are a lot of unknowns about what is going to happen, why getting pregnant hasnt happened yet, and, fruchtwein importantly, what one can do to be successful.When we dont talk about the male partners role in this and male factor infertility, were only addressing half the battle.Facts about mens health and fertilityHere are some important facts to keep in mindwhether youre trying to understand the role your partner plays in the process, considering a fertility treatment, or simply need more information.1. Male infertility is common and fairly simple to diagnose. Usually, a reproductive endocrinologist, OBGYN, or primary care physician will order a semen analysis which is a test that analyses a males sperm quality. fruchtwein sperm banks or fertility clinics will perform the semen analysis, which can identify issues such as sperm count, sperm motility, sperm production, and semen quality, among other problems in fertile or infertile men. Testosterone levels can also play a role.2. A reproductive endocrinologist is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility and the specialist with whom most people and couples wil l start when they are having difficulty conceiving.3. A male partner who is diagnosed with any type of abnormality may be referred to a urologist for further diagnosis or treatment.4. Many male factor issues can be overcome by treatments such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). In some cases, lifestyle changes can improve sperm count, testosterone levels, and other issues, and a specialist can work with you to identify what kinds of changes can influence fertility.Exploring treatments for infertile couplesIf family-building is important in your relationship, it makes sense to talk about it with your partner and start exploring your options as soon as you encounter difficulty. Keep in mind that the age of the female partner is important. Infertile couples should talk to their physician about both female and male infertility to ensure you can access the wide range of options for fertility treatment.For many, the first step is to talk to your primary ca re physician or gynecologist.You can also check your medical benefits and find an in-network reproductive endocrinologist who specializes in infertility.When you begin to see a fertility doctor, its important that you bring your male partner with you as many appointments as he can attend.He should be included in the decision-making in terms of the treatments you choose to undergo.Ask him questions about how hes feeling about this process.If it is a male factor issue, many men Ive talked to throughout the years report that they feel guilt and shameguilt because their female partner must undergo treatment she might not otherwise have had to and shame because its their biological imperative to create offspring and its not working out how they had hoped. Feelings of inadequacy can have adverse effects on the self-esteem and mental health of infertile men (Domar, 2011).Men sometimes feel their role is to fix things, and infertility is something they cannot fix on their own. Asking for he lp can be difficult, and the feelings of loss of control can be really confusing and anxiety-provoking.Talk through your feelings with your partner whether the fertility issue is male or female. Its ok to talk about this with him and assure him that you understand his reproductive health issues arent his fault.Make sure his opinions are heard and his questions are answered.Be open about your feelings too. If you are feeling frustrated and stressed out, be sure to tell him. Dont keep your feelings bottled up.Dont be embarrassed to talk about eggs, sperm quality, and all that goes into baby-makingWorking with your partnerIf you and your partner are going through infertility you know how disruptive it can be to your life, your relationship, your schedule, andif you dont have covered benefits through your employeryour finances. Besides the disruption it can cause in your life, the process can be disappointing (since in vitro fertilization and other treatments sometimes fail), and full o f ups and devastating downs.You will both feel less stress if you talk it through and lean on each other through this process.If you need some guidance, explore support groups in your area (RESOLVE is a good place to start).A lot of people say talking it through with others who are going through a similar scenario is very helpful.If you feel more comfortable outside of a group setting, seek out a couples counselor who specializes in infertility.You can find a counselor at resolve.org as well as other sites such as Psychology Today.The bottom line is, if you are on this journey with your partner, remember that you are in this together.Not talking about mens health and fertility, fully understanding your options, and carefully choosing your next steps can mean a delay in treatment, choosing the wrong treatment, or not accessing treatment altogether.Approach your infertility treatment as you would any other challenge you face as a couple.You might find that your communication is improv ed, that your relationship is made stronger, and that you end up feeling closer to your partner because of your journey together1 Cumulative incidence of infertility in a New Zealand birth cohort to age 38 by sex and the relationship with family formation van Roode, Thea et al. Fertility and Sterility, Volume 103 , Issue 4 , 1053 - 1058.e222 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2009).Infertility FAQs. Retrieved May 23, 2018, fromhttp//www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/infertility