Arab Culture & Infertility

Women's Corner

Arab Culture & Infertility

RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL BACKGROUND AND ITS IMPACT ON THE REACTION TO MALE INFERTILITY IN THE ARAB COUNTRIES

Male Infertility

The males in the Arab culture is supposingly fertile. Childlessness is usually accepted as a wife's health problem.
As per traditional teaching, the infertility specialist should ask for a semen analysis in the early couple visits. It is not uncommon for the wife, accompanied by her mother, sister or close relative or friend to come for the first visit. Usually this readily available. However, it is not uncommon that the wife mentions that the husband refuses to make any medical visits let alone tests as there is no way that he is the cause of the problem and that the wife should seek the help. He make even interfere with any procedural interference with his wife. Of course this is more if the husband was married before and has children.
In cases of male factor infertility, the first reaction is immense shock and alarm that disrupts temporarily the life of the husband. He is hit in his very male ego. When he recovers he passes in a phase of denial. The husband cannot even discuss his problem with his family or friends as this will make him less of a male in their eyes. He keeps it to himself and starts to be introvert. At this stage this affects his work and social life especially among friends with children. He starts to be aggressive with his wife as he will never be looked at as the weaker partner in this relationship. He is now concerned about his image in the close and remote family members and friends and is always under threat that his wife is going to disclose his weakness although strictly preventing her from mentioning it to any soul. This is independent of culture and education and is mainly influenced by tradion, background and upbringing. Male infertility may be mixed up with impotent. This is a nightmare. This is a taboo that will never be accepted by Arab husbands. Potency is part of the male self esteem and integrity. He starts now to be jealous of his wife suspecting that she is having extra-marital relationship or even admiring other men. Quarrels are at its peak heat now. In the Southern area (Saeed) this problem is intensely magnified. In these and to a less extent in other areas of Egypt the wife is usually expected to put the blame on herself for being sterile than to disclose her husband problem. If she does she is a traitor and will always be blamed. The wife has no choice in that. In some instances the husband may be so shocked that I have faced cases of fraud. The husband will ask a brother or very close friend to give his semen for analysis and give this report to the deceived wife to be presented to the doctor. Some of them will remarry blaming the wife for being sterile before accepting the fact.
These two stages (shock and denial) usually stays for varied period of time before the husband recovers. The urge for being a father usually guides the husband for acceptance especially that now male treatment options (e.g. ICSI) proved successful.

2000 جميع حقوق الطبع والنشر محفوظة للدكتور عبد المجيد رمزي لعام