The Gender Gap in the Diagnostic-Therapeutic Journey of the Infertile Couple.

Giuseppe Gullo,Andrea Roberto Carosso,Rossella Tomaiuolo,Gaspare Cucinella,Antonio Simone Laganà,Giovanni Buzzaccarini,Marianna Maranto,Adolfo Allegra,Antonio Perino,Angelo Marino,Domenico Gullo,Daniela Segreto,Zaira Donarelli,Piernicola Garofalo

doi:10.3390/ijerph18126184

Abstract

Medical procreation impairs both the biological and psychological lives of couples. However, male and female attitudes to infertility are different and require a different approach during the IVF journey. Thus, the gender impact assessment (GIA) method was used to analyse original studies present in the literature. We found some gender-related differences and, subsequently, possible outcomes of intervention to improve healthy reproduction management and prevent infertility. In particular, it became apparent that there was the need for an in-depth male infertility assessment and a gender-specific follow-up.

Highlights

Infertility affects about 15–20% of couples worldwide [1]
Despite male-factor infertility being thought to play a role in 50% of infertile couples [2], currently, most scientific studies place the male factor as a secondary consideration compared to the female factor, in contrast with other pathologies [3]
This difference is significant when considering the psychological distress generated by infertility; there is no doubt that infertility is a stressor for a couple, but it is experienced differently by males and females [4,5]

Summary

Introduction

Infertility affects about 15–20% of couples worldwide [1]. Despite male-factor infertility being thought to play a role in 50% of infertile couples [2], currently, most scientific studies place the male factor as a secondary consideration compared to the female factor, in contrast with other pathologies (cardiovascular, degenerative, neurological, etc.) [3].This difference is significant when considering the psychological distress generated by infertility; there is no doubt that infertility is a stressor for a couple, but it is experienced differently by males and females [4,5].Since procreation involves sex (biological aspects) and gender (the social construction of femininity and masculinity, which includes sociocultural and psychological aspects) [6], optimizing the diagnostic and therapeutic journey of infertility and promoting gender equality is a mandatory gender-sensitive approach.The introduction of a sex and gender determinant in clinical practice can contribute favourably to the management of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies, making health services more effective and efficient [7], as these factors influence the physiological aspect and the pathological course of diseases affecting both men and women [8].Int. Despite male-factor infertility being thought to play a role in 50% of infertile couples [2], currently, most scientific studies place the male factor as a secondary consideration compared to the female factor, in contrast with other pathologies (cardiovascular, degenerative, neurological, etc.) [3]. This difference is significant when considering the psychological distress generated by infertility; there is no doubt that infertility is a stressor for a couple, but it is experienced differently by males and females [4,5].

Objectives

Methods

Findings

Conclusion