Nearly 50% of infertility is a male factor, meaning it’s related to men not women. Even with this shocking percentage, it’s not openly discussed. In this week's episode, we are speaking with TJ Peyten who has become an advocate for male factor infertility after she and her husband experienced it first hand. TJ shares about her deep longing for motherhood and the differences in how men and women process and grieve in the midst of male infertility. Listen as Julia and TJ have a beautiful conversation about disappointment, infertility awareness, and the miracle of building a family through adoption. 

 

IN THIS EPISODE:

 

• [02:14] Introduction to TJ and her advocacy for male infertility
• [08:21] Receiving the news of their infertility and their response
• [18:12] How infertility affected their relationship with each other and God
• [25:22] Searching for alternative family building options and choosing adoption
• [35:55] TJ’s perspective of being a mommy without having given birth
• [38:09] TJ’s heart for better advocacy and understanding of male infertility

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

 

• 40-50% of infertility is a male factor and yet there is so little awareness or conversations around this topic. There also aren't routine healthcare options for male fertility.
• Men may appear strong or even indifferent to male factor infertility, but they are grieving and experiencing similar feelings of loss and failure that women face during female infertility.
• Reading books about adoption to your child is a great way to have conversations that help them process the news of their adoption so it’s not hurtful later on in life.

 

BIO:

TJ Peyten is a Georgia native with a mission to raise awareness about Male Factor Infertility. TJ currently works as a health scientist focused on public health policy and workforce training. TJ holds a bachelors in English and Communication, a masters in Communication and Social Work, and a Doctorate in Health Education. Her hobbies include spending time with her family, traveling, journaling, eating great food, and watching college football.

TJ's infertility journey started in 2013, when, after five years of marriage, it was discovered that her husband was the factor in their inability to conceive. Frustrated at the lack of support and resources available for those struggling with male infertility, TJ used her journal as an outlet to deal with the pain. After several years of coping with their infertility through her journal, TJ finally got the courage to share her story with the world through her book Semen Secrets: Truths and Confessions of a Wife's Journey Through Male Infertility. TJ's journey to parenthood was not easy, but in 2019, TJ and her husband were blessed to finally realize their dream of becoming parents to a beautiful baby girl. 

 

TJ Peyten on Instagram

 

TJ's Book: Semen Secrets: Truths and Confessions of a Wife’s Journey Through Male Infertility

 

Semen Secrets Website

 

TJ Peyten on Facebook