Finally, A Resource for Men on the IVF Journey
It’s not often you see a former NFL player tackling the quiet, private struggle of infertility. But that’s precisely what Corey Parchman is doing. After going through the rollercoaster of IVF with his wife, he realized how invisible men are in the fertility conversation. His new book, IVF: A Male’s Guide to the Playbook, is a groundbreaking, practical, and honest resource designed specifically for male partners navigating assisted reproduction.
This is a big deal—and long overdue. In fertility clinics across North America, the focus is overwhelmingly on the female partner. While we counsel women on medications, egg retrieval, and embryo grading, the male experience is often reduced to a few quick semen analyses and a request to “be supportive.” But men also go through stress, loss, and confusion during fertility treatment. They just haven’t had a voice—or a playbook—until now.
Why IVF Is a Team Sport
Parchman’s guide uses football metaphors, but the real power of the book lies in how it makes IVF feel like a shared journey. From the emotional impact of failed cycles to practical tips on supporting your partner through hormone injections and retrievals, this book treats male partners not as spectators but as co-players. It’s a rallying cry for men to show up—not just physically but emotionally and relationally.
The book doesn’t sugarcoat the reality. Parchman describes the pain of watching his wife undergo repeated procedures, the financial strain of multiple rounds of IVF, and the helplessness many men feel when they’re unsure how to make things better. He also highlights the mental health toll IVF can take on both partners and the importance of communication and therapy.
Bridging the Fertility Gender Gap
For too long, infertility has been painted as a woman’s issue. This has led to a dangerous gap in support: men are less likely to talk about fertility challenges, less likely to seek counseling, and less likely to be given the tools to understand the process. Parchman’s work is helping to bridge that divide. His book is part of a growing (and very necessary) movement to normalize male participation in fertility care—not just as sperm donors, but as active, informed, emotionally engaged partners.
What This Means for Patients and Providers
As a fertility doctor, I often see the quiet suffering of men in my office. They sit in the corner, hands in pockets, unsure of their role. They rarely ask questions. Sometimes they cry silently in the hallway after bad news. Corey Parchman’s book is more than a guide—it’s permission. Permission to be vulnerable. Permission to learn. Permission to be involved.
I’ll be recommending this book to my IVF patients. And I hope more clinics will consider how we can better involve male partners in the IVF process—not just for sperm collection, but for counseling, education, and support.
Final Thoughts: It’s Time for a New Playbook
Infertility doesn’t discriminate. It affects couples across all walks of life—including professional athletes. Corey Parchman’s story is a reminder that strength comes not from hiding pain, but from facing it head-on and helping others along the way. His IVF Playbook is a game-changer—for men, for couples, and for the fertility field as a whole.
Let’s make sure this conversation doesn’t stop here.
Dr Marina OBGYN