Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40918879›Full record

ReviewCureus2025

The Psychological Impact of Male Infertility: A Narrative Review.

Swagata Sahoo, Aditi Das, Rojalin Dash, Anasuya Behera, Nilam Mishra, Karishma Bal

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Cureus, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
10citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

10 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. Article
  9. Review
  10. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Swagata SahooObstetrics and Gynaecological Nursing, Kalinga Institute of Nursing Sciences, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University (KIIT-DU), Bhubaneswar, IND.
Aditi DasObstetrics and Gynaecological Nursing, Kalinga Institute of Nursing Sciences, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University (KIIT-DU), Bhubaneswar, IND.
Rojalin DashObstetrics and Nursing, Kalinga Institute of Nursing Sciences, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University (KIIT-DU), Bhubaneswar, IND.
Anasuya BeheraObstetrics and Gynaecology, Kalinga Institute of Nursing Sciences, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University (KIIT-DU), Bhubaneswar, IND.
Nilam MishraObstetrics and Gynaecology, Kalinga Institute of Nursing Sciences, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University (KIIT-DU), Bhubaneswar, IND.
Karishma BalObstetrics and Gynaecology, Kalinga Institute of Nursing Sciences, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University (KIIT-DU), Bhubaneswar, IND.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

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.

Indexed as

anxietydepressionmale infertilitymasculine identitypsychological impact

Identifiers

PMID40918879
PMCPMC12413911

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.