We know someone who is infertile – but “it only happens to others”

71% of men know someone with infertility, but believe they will not be affected. And they are little aware of some factors.

The sample is not large but it can be revealing: the The vast majority of Portuguese men know someone who is infertile – but don’t believe it will ever happen to them the same.

The research with around 100 men was carried out by GFK for IVI, the first medical institution specialized entirely in Assisted Reproduction. The questions reached all regions of Portugal, with Portuguese men between 30 and 50 years old.

The sample revealed that the majority want to have children – or more children – but shows little or no no worries with possible problems with fertility.

Furthermore, you are unaware that these problems have increase in the last 20 years.

Returning to the central conclusion of the research: 71% of men know someone with fertility problems; overwhelmingly, close people and direct family members. But the same think they won’t be affected.

67% of those who want to expand their family with children are little or not at all concerned with the possibility that they may have difficulties having children. Only 12% are very worried.

“Perhaps the fact that men are not as aware as women are about their declining fertility leads them to think that they can become parents at any time. But the truth is that male fertility, according to some studies, may have decreased significantly in the last 20 years”, warns Samuel Ribeiro, specialist in reproductive medicine and director and scientific coordinator of IVI Lisboa.

There are several factors that negatively influence male fertility: semen quality, age, lifestyle habits and exposure to toxins, stress, obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and/or exposure to chemicals.

Most interviewees are aware of the dangers of tobacco, alcohol, poor diet or drug use – but devalues obesity, age or sedentary lifestyle.

Only 8% of men pointed to a sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical exercise as factors that harm male fertility.

Positive point of the survey: there are more men to speak openly about infertility. Half of those surveyed would talk about the subject with family and close friends. The taboo seems to be disappearing.