SUMMARY :
Infertility is a complex pathological condition, whose psychological impact has often been the subject of thoughts as far as the feminine aspect of things is concerned. However, men too, in this context, are also confronted with difficulties and doubts, and are led to call things into question. A few questions that the gynaecologist could ask himself on this subject will be presented here.
Whilst women often appear ready right away to turn to medical support for their needs to have children, men on the other hand may hold back rather more. Is this because they are less aware of the risk of the time that is passing? Is it because they always put a lot more into their professional futures that into their family projects? Is it because the permanent confusion that they drag with them between fertility and sexuality makes them fear their virile identity will be called into question?
Why are there so few clinical examinations, whose importance can not be disputed, neither on a diagnostic level, nor on the level of relationships? Is it because men are not used to them? Is it because the doctors do not have the necessary training? Are they embarrassed about it? Are they going to shut the patient away in a subject role, who is appreciated only for his spermatic parameters?
Why have procedures for paraclinical examinations received so little explanation and justification? Why are the results of these examinations so delicate to interpret and announce?
When it has been decided to turn to a medical-assistance technique for procreation, what difficulties will the man still have to face? What does the collection of sperm symbolise? What profound sentiments does the patient attach to them? Thus, what masculine behaviour do we encounter? All things considered, what place do we give to the man during the course of this treatment?
Lastly, recent progress in the medicine for and the biology of reproduction has drastically changed the approach to certain situations that were still very recently judged as being insolvable. If the mourning process of biological paternity still remains delicate, if not impossible, what will happen to these men that medical progress tosses about between mourning and hope on the sandstone of modern techniques? Donšt they deserve to be heard and accompanied?
Are men not distributors of sperm, efficient they may be, but rather beings endowed with sensitivity, sexuality and fragility. When faced with infertility, they may encounter serious difficulties that they are certainly in danger of playing down, even neglecting.