Status ten years after fertility assessment and counselling in men of reproductive age - a qualitative study.

RESEARCH QUESTION: The study investigates (1) how men perceive the fertility counselling, now, and (2) how counselling may have shaped their reproductive decisions, family trajectories, and broader life perspectives. DESIGN: A longitudinal, semi-structured qualitative interview design, where follow-up data were collected from 19 men who had previously sought fertility counselling at a Fertility Assessment and Counselling (FAC) Clinic. RESULTS: Ten years after attending a FAC Clinic, the men described the fertility counselling as meaningful and reassuring, offering a sense of control and responsibility in planning their future family life. While favourable semen results provided comfort, unfavourable results were recalled as emotionally challenging and tied to masculinity and self-worth. For some, the consultation acted as a catalyst for reflection and behavioural change, prompting reconsideration of life priorities and the timing of fatherhood. Over time, many came to recognise that family building cannot be fully planned, and that life often unfolds through unexpected circumstances. Experiences such as pregnancy loss, fertility treatment, divorce, and bereavement shaped their perspectives. Fathers anticipated stability in their life, whereas men without children described an uncertain but open future. CONCLUSION: The findings highlight that fertility counselling for men extends beyond biomedical information, underscoring the need to address psychosocial and existential dimensions in reproductive health communication.