When asked about their fertility journey Stephen and Jenn Yunis say, almost simultaneously, “It’s been a crazy ride.” In June 2013, the Yunis’ participated in a Washington Post Magazine article titled, “For Men, Infertility Often Becomes a Private Heartache,” about the hidden struggles couples face when dealing with male factor infertility.
The Post Magazine recounted Stephen and Jenn’s story from the very beginning: from pen pals, to boyfriend and girlfriend, to marriage and building a life together, to making room for children. The Post describes how “month after month, Jenn bought ovulation predictor kits, downloaded fertility predictor apps, and made sure they had sex on the right days. They watched as one home pregnancy test after another turned up negative. Meanwhile, their friends started having children and posting ebullient pregnancy photos on Facebook.”
After 2 years of trying the Yunis’ sought out the experts at Shady Grove Fertility, and under the care of Jeanne E. O’Brien, M.D. in Rockville, MD, they began the next phase of their story. Stephen describes the first questions posed as “womanly things.” He certainly did not expect to learn that they fell under the “unexplained infertility” category and then eventually to the “male factor infertility” category.
Male Factor Infertility Is Often Not Talked About
For men, who generally keep the conversation light with their male counterparts, dealing with male infertility is especially challenging. Stephen described the difficulty talking about it with his friends saying, “they think it’s hilarious. Most of them are just kidding. But it’s like, ‘You don’t have any idea.’”
After four unsuccessful tries with intrauterine insemination (IUI), Stephen and Jenn moved on to in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the Spring of 2013.
Sharing Their Story of Male Factor Infertility
Looking back, the Yunis’ still marvel at the impact sharing their story made. People started sharing their own fertility struggles with them. Stephen, who like so many men hadn’t been able to discuss his condition with friends and coworkers was suddenly a source of support, some apologizing for insensitive remarks. When one of his coworkers underwent fertility treatment, Stephen was a shoulder to lean on and a much-needed sounding board.
“A simple semen analysis can provide insight to the overall quality of a male’s sperm. While men might be hesitant, the analysis is a fast and simple test. The results can point physicians towards more targeted treatment, and identify infertility issue early,” advises Dr. O’Brien.
Overcoming Male Factor Infertility
Today, with their son Noah Samuel in full throes of toddler-hood, Stephen and Jenn feel a greater appreciation for the little moments after all the years of trying and failing. Jenn recalled a time over the summer when she and Noah were playing with chalk on their front steps. She says she took a moment to sit back, realizing she had spent years wondering if she and Stephen would ever have those experiences.
Shady Grove Fertility broadened its array of male factor infertility services with the addition of an in-house reproductive urologist, Paul R. Shin, M.D., in November 2015. With the addition of Dr. Shin, patients now have easier, more convenient access to a suite of male infertility services from a highly regarded board certified urologist and male fertility specialist—services that previously required a referral to a urologist outside of the practice. Male factor infertility accounts for 40 percent of all infertility cases.
Our team of dedicated New Patient Liaisons is available to answer your questions regarding male and female infertility. Call 877-971-7755 or click to schedule an appointment.
