Male Fertility Matters Too: Shifting from “Partners” to “Patients”

One of the most thought-provoking conversations I’ve heard recently was Shaun and Ciaran of The Male Fertility Podcast sharing a man’s perspective on IVF at Fertility 2026. Speaking openly about the isolation, shame, and silence that infertility can bring for men , they also talked about how male partners can feel completely invisible in clinic settings. This isn't because staff don’t care, but because our systems and language haven’t always evolved to include them fully.

The Impact of the "Invisible" Partner

For many men, infertility is deeply isolating. They often carry a sense of shame while simultaneously feeling they must "stay strong" for their partner, all without knowing where to turn for their own support. When clinical care focuses almost entirely on the female partner, that sense of isolation only grows.

It truly is the small moments that send the loudest messages. A top consultant reflected to me recently that he’d realised he usually only calls out the female partner’s name in the waiting room. This small habit can easily be interpreted as a statement on who the appointment (and the care around it) is really "for". Every interaction is an opportunity to signal that both individuals matter in the IVF journey.

Seeing Men as Patients

When both partners feel fully supported, couples are better equipped to cope through the rigours of treatment. Transitioning toward inclusive care means recognising men as patients in their own right, not just as "drivers" or "coat carriers". This involves:

• Inclusive Communication: Speaking to both partners directly and including both in explanations and clinical decisions.
• Emotional Check-ins: Actively checking in on how both partners are coping emotionally, rather than focusing solely on physical protocols.
• Targeted Resources: Providing information that deals specifically with male fertility, lifestyle factors, and emotional wellbeing.

Practical Steps for Your Clinic

Making a big impact often starts with small, intentional shifts in practice. To ensure men feel their support matters, your clinic might try:

• Inviting both partners into all conversations and appointments to reinforce a sense of partnership.
• Using inclusive language across all written and verbal communications.
• Signposting to male-specific resources, such as support groups and specialised podcasts like The Male Fertility Podcast.

Building a More Inclusive Care Model

Inclusive care is the cornerstone of exceptional patient support. By recognising potential blind spots and tweaking daily practices, we can build care models that truly embrace both partners.

If you’re ready to embed more inclusive care into your clinic’s support offering, I’d love to help. My clinic workshops are fully tailored to help your teams refine their approach and ensure every patient feels seen.

Please DM or get in touch today at [email protected] to learn more.