I just finished Michael Saunders’ memoir Test Tubes And Testosterone A Man’s Journey into infertility and IVF and I have to say, I really enjoyed it! First, I want to say how refreshing it was to get the male point of view into the world of infertility and IVF. I’ve been through IVF and of course have shared many conversations with my husband on the subject but it was quite interesting to be inside Michael’s head through his journey. If you’ve ever wondered what your hubby was thinking when he needs to poke you for an injection or when you get moody, then you should pick up this book!
The other thing I loved was how Michael explained the process. IVF in the UK is quite different from the US and I found it interesting to know what the other side of the world does when it comes to this procedure. For example, instead of Lupron injections to ‘down regulate,’ they use a nasal spray. And of course, there was a lot of tea to mark each occasion! Michael was also kind enough to do some reserach on IVF and FETs and he gives us a mini history lesson on the subject which I thought was enlightening. I also love how he gives us an excellent analogy of sperm moving to the egg by explaining it in human terms: ‘getting to Glasgow from London on foot without feet or legs, getting weaker by the day, and lots of things trying to kill you along the way. Then when you get there, you are exhausted and dying and then you discover you have to break through a wall they built around the city using nothing but your head.’ Now doesn’t that put things into perspective?
Michael also gave some great advice throughout the book. In one part he writes to all the males out there (regarding your sperm), “Don’t eat rubbish, don’t drink rubbish, don’t put nasty things into your body and make sure you have happy knackers.” He also writes, “I firmly believe the best way to start IVF is to be as relaxed and chilled as possible.” I whole-heartedly agree! Other helpful parts of the book are Michael’s top ten tips, a glossary of medical terms and Internet abbreviations, and a list of resources to check out online all located at the end.
I thought Test Tubes and Testosterone was really funny. Michael certainly has a wit about him and I’m guessing this sense of humour is what helped him through his infertility. There were many parts I was literally laughing out loud! There are also really touching parts that were sprinkled throughout that I loved.
*Spoiler Alert*
If you’re interested to know if Michael does indeed have success (since some infertility memoirs aren’t wrapped up by the end in a neat little baby bow), then I am happy to report that he does! That’s all I will tell you, although he does announce his daughter Ruby in the opening Author’s Note. You’ll have to read the book to find out more!
The only criticism I would give is that I wanted more! More details on the birth of his child(ren) would have been nice especially since he goes into great length about his thoughts on the subject before his wife Hayley even becomes pregnant. I also wanted to know what it is finally like for him to be a father. Although he does sum it up quite nicely in #10 on his tip list: “It can be worth it in the end, believe me.“
Read Test Tubes and Testosterone! It is an interesting read with a rare perspective into an unfamiliar world. You can share it with your significant other and everyone can get a laugh! You can follow Michael on Twitter at @theIVFdad and buy the book here! 
Fran Meadows is the author of The Truth Behind The Secret “Infertility.” I had the pleasure of meeting her on Resolve’s Advocacy Day on April 25th in Washington D.C. (You can read more about her day here). She had an amazing, but difficult infertility journey that has turned into a success story (which I featured here).
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