Support groups are a convenient way to let you meet other men and women who have experienced first-hand what you are going through. Support groups are usually held on a monthly basis. They may be run by another fertility patient or even by a social worker or other mental health professional. Be sure to ask who is running the group. This can help tell you what is going on in the group and what it may be like.

The group may run on an official schedule, with meetings covering specific topics. They may invite speakers to talk to the group about specific topics that are of interest. This may include doctors or technicians from local fertility clinics talking about their practices, their research, or any new treatments being used. Sometimes they come just to answer general questions.

Other types of topics that support groups might cover are dealing with the holidays, facing life in a fertile world, understanding insurance and financial issues, and so forth. Some groups even offer a night out where you may go out to dinner but the topic is not allowed to turn to infertility. These are often called “girls night out.” These special meetings are usually held in addition to regular support meetings.

Many of these groups invite you to bring your husband with you. Some men are better able to see that this is a couple's issue and not feel as isolated when they see other males involved. Some groups also have their own version of “boys night out.”

RESOLVE and INCIID are two of the largest groups who hold meetings for a support system. They have meetings both in person and online. You may find that one of these organizations has a local chapter that meets near you.