Zero Sperm Count and Biological Fatherhood: Elevating the Experiences of Men with Non-Obstructive Azoospermia

Abstract

Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is the most severe form of male infertility that is caused by impaired sperm production. It is crucial to understand the experiences of NOA patients for whom surgical sperm retrieval, which is unsuccessful in half of cases, is the only, but not a guaranteed way, to achieve biological fatherhood. Data from five men with NOA were collected via interviews and analyzed using an interpretive phenomenological analysis by applying a framework grounded in the critical studies of men and masculinities. Four themes were identified and developed into interpretations of the meaning of the phenomenon (NOA diagnosis). NOA can cause a crisis in men’s identity and reproductive goals and heighten men’s vulnerability to doubting their masculinity. Findings of this research can contribute to the development of support resources specific to men, which can help strengthen the delivery of fertility care and improve the quality of life of NOA patients.