What's worst than knowing you won't be a dad ever? Though infertility affects both men and women, many times it is misconceived as a medical condition associated with women. Often, male infertility goes undiagnosed and untreated when the focus of diagnosis and treatment is on the female partner as men are reluctant to seek help and accept the reasons.

Being infertile can leave men feeling 'emasculated' and 'jealous' when they see another couple with a baby, a study has found.

A survey of infertile men found infertility hits males' mental health, self-esteem, relationships, sex life and even their career. But emotional support for men is scarce as infertility is seen as a 'women's issue'.

The survey of 41 infertile men found participants had been trying to conceive for five years on average, the research by Leeds Beckett University and Fertility Network the UK found, writes Daily Mail.

The majority of respondents - 93 percent - stated their well-being had been adversely affected by fertility issues. Men reported fertility issues to be emasculating, distressing and isolating, harming their self-identity, and causing stress, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.

Comments made by respondents included that it was 'the most upsetting, dark and emasculating experience of my life'; 'it made me feel less of a man'; 'I now suffer from anxiety'; and 'it made me feel worthless that I couldn't have kids'. Other comments included: 'Our sex life immediately took a hit'; 'seeing a baby I would feel jealousy, envy, and anger'; and 'I pushed my wife away'.

Susan Seenan, chief executive Fertility Network UK said: 'Men are half of the fertility equation. When they cannot create the family they long for without medical help they suffer and struggle physically and mentally just as women do, yet our major new survey with Leeds Beckett University shows that men's needs are far too often ignored, with support scarce before, during and after fertility treatment.

According to The Hindu, male factors are said to be reasons for 40-45 % of all infertility cases in Coimbatore, says R. Meenakshi Priya, Fertility Consultant at Nova IVI Fertility, Coimbatore. According to Dr. Priya, the majority of the patients with male infertility complications are in the age group of 29 to 35 years old.

“Male infertility could be genetic or caused by an infection, testicular or pelvic injury or a severe medical condition. Lifestyle factors such as age, nutrition, lack of regular exercise, work stress, and exposure to environmental pollutants also play a role in the development of infertility in men.”

“Habits such as cigarette smoking, illicit drug, and alcohol abuse, and also obesity and poorly controlled diabetes can negatively influence fertility in men,” says Dr. Priya adding that 32% of infertile men diagnosed at the hospital are overweight or obese while 35% are tobacco users.

Sadly, there still remains stigma and taboo about male infertility within society. But it is really encouraging that the men who share their personal perspectives lead the way in starting conversations about how fertility issues affect both men and women equally. It is conversations such as these that will help men speak out and receive the emotional support that they need during these highly stressful times.