Sahoo Swagata, Das Aditi, Dash Rojalin, Behera Anasuya, Mishra Nilam, Bal Karishma
Obstetrics and Gynaecological Nursing, Kalinga Institute of Nursing Sciences, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University (KIIT-DU), Bhubaneswar, IND.
Obstetrics and Nursing, Kalinga Institute of Nursing Sciences, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University (KIIT-DU), Bhubaneswar, IND.
Cureus. 2025 Aug 5;17(8):e89453. doi: 10.7759/cureus.89453. eCollection 2025 Aug.
Male infertility is a major health concern worldwide. While biological causes are well understood, the psychological aspects receive less focus. This gap is evident in clinical practice and research, where emotional, social, and mental health issues linked to male infertility are often neglected or inadequately managed. This review aims to highlight the psychological effects of male infertility, emphasizing mental health, emotional well-being, and the sociocultural factors influencing men's experiences. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed and Web of Science, encompassing English-language studies published between 2010 and 2025. Of the 118 articles identified, 36 met the inclusion criteria based on methodological rigor and relevance. These studies included observational research, clinical trials, qualitative analyses, and systematic reviews that examined psychological outcomes among men diagnosed with infertility. The findings consistently indicate that male infertility is associated with significant psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, diminished self-esteem, and disruptions to masculine identity. Sociocultural expectations that equate fertility with manhood often exacerbate these emotional burdens, especially in patriarchal contexts where infertility is stigmatized or incorrectly attributed to external or spiritual causes. Many men report feelings of emotional suppression, isolation, and reluctance to seek support, which are further complicated by sexual dysfunction and relationship strain. Despite these challenges, psychological support for men remains limited within infertility services, which primarily focus on female partners. This review emphasizes the need for a more inclusive, gender-sensitive, and psychologically informed approach to the care of male infertility. Recognizing male infertility as a complex psychological experience is essential for improving outcomes and promoting holistic reproductive health.
男性不育是全球主要的健康问题。虽然生物学原因已为人熟知，但心理方面受到的关注较少。这种差距在临床实践和研究中很明显，与男性不育相关的情感、社会和心理健康问题往往被忽视或处理不当。本综述旨在强调男性不育的心理影响，重点关注心理健康、情绪健康以及影响男性经历的社会文化因素。使用PubMed和Web of Science进行了全面的文献检索，涵盖2010年至2025年发表的英文研究。在识别出的118篇文章中，36篇基于方法的严谨性和相关性符合纳入标准。这些研究包括观察性研究、临床试验、定性分析以及对被诊断为不育的男性的心理结果进行检查的系统评价。研究结果一致表明，男性不育与严重的心理困扰有关，包括抑郁、焦虑、自尊下降以及男性身份认同的紊乱。将生育能力等同于男子气概的社会文化期望往往会加剧这些情感负担，尤其是在不育被污名化或被错误地归因于外部或精神原因的父权制背景下。许多男性报告有情绪压抑、孤立的感觉，并且不愿寻求支持，性功能障碍和关系紧张使这些情况更加复杂。尽管存在这些挑战，但不育服务中对男性的心理支持仍然有限，这些服务主要关注女性伴侣。本综述强调需要一种更具包容性、对性别敏感且有心理依据的方法来治疗男性不育。认识到男性不育是一种复杂的心理体验对于改善治疗结果和促进整体生殖健康至关重要。
