Infertility and steroids: ‘Taking steroids made me infertile’
Here X gives a warts and all account of his steroid journey. From starting taking steroids, to using way too much, to the impact on his sex life and the ultimate near decimation of his sperm count.
Hair transplants for men: “I learnt the hard way you don’t fix what’s going on inside by getting rid of a bald patch”
After two years of pondering, X spent £8,000 on a hair transplant – sadly, the only thing he’s felt since having it done is shame.
Homosexuality and homophobia: “There’s been countless times in my life I’ve sat and cried, wishing I wasn’t gay”
Homophobic bullying at school, physically and verbally assaulted in public, family fall outs, being the gay dads on the school gate, X’s coming out story is one of sadness, near tragedy, acceptance, reconciliation and hope.
Health anxiety: ‘I was convinced I’d die in my sleep’
An innocuous fainting experience for X led to a decade of misunderstood anxiety that meant he struggled to leave the house, get through a tube journey without getting off - he even thought he was going to die.
OCD: ”Every time I saw my sister and mum I was certain I was sexually attracted to them”
X has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). His OCD manifests in sexual intrusive thoughts about being attracted to family members and his sexuality.
Adoption challenges: ‘I’m not sure I love my kids’
18 months X, an adoptive father, adopted two boys with his partner. Sadly, the two boys have struggled to connect with him which has left him feeling left out, sad and rejected.
Self-hatred and low self-esteem: ‘The liberating day I realised I hated myself’
X’s realisation that his anxiety was rooted in some form of self-hatred was difficult to take. But in time, the realisation has led to a calmer, more peaceful mind. Here X shares how the realisation occured.
Bereavement: “I don’t miss my mum because I didn’t really know her, what I miss 40 years on is never getting to know her properly”
X’s mum unexpectedly died aged 36, and he was only 16. Here he talks about coping with bereavement as a teenager, the emotional impact of losing a parent young, and how her passing still affects his life today, at the age of 56.
Coping with pet loss: “I had to return our puppy after 10 days because my daughter was allergic - it broke me”
A few years of convincing and X finally got the family puppy he’d craved. Unfortunately, the supposedly hypoallergenic dog wasn’t. His daughter was severely allergic. After just 10 days Daisy was returned to the breeders. It left X utterly devastated.
Male infertility and IVF: “Being told my sperm wasn’t working was like a punch in the gut”
Four miscarriages, multiple wanks on demand into a pot and £60k spent – X gives a warts and all account of his eight-year male infertility and IVF journey.
Sex anxiety and premature ejaculation: “Sex has always made me anxious”
MMF reckons there’s plenty of blokes that are dealing with sex anxiety and performance issues. X has kindly shared his story about something we’re calling ‘sexiety’.