Discrimination against men in infertility treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the scope of the medical effort invested in the study and treatment of male infertility, some of its sources and implications.


METHODS
The study reviewed the range of medical treatments of male and female infertility and their effectiveness. It also examined the funding policy in Ontario, Canada, as well as patients' responses to this policy.


RESULTS
Male infertility therapy is relatively lacking and is not funded by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan. Neither professionals nor patients, however, challenge the unequal policy.


CONCLUSIONS
The traditional association of infertility with the female partner prevails among professionals, policy makers and patients. It explains both the relative lack of therapy and the absence of public resentment. This traditional attitude hinders the prospects that infertile men will be assisted by biomedicine.
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000628:therapy; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000628:therapy*; D007348:Insurance, Health; D008297:Male; D009864:Ontario; D011287:Prejudice; D011639:Public Opinion; D012106:Research