wife began trying to have children in 2014. “I could really see the toll that [my infertility] took on [my wife] because she’s not the problem,” said Yost. “She has no issues, and it’s unfortunately [because of] me.” Yost and his wife are not alone in their experience with a genital injury. A 2017 report in The Journal of Urology found that he is among more than 1,300 men who suffered genitourinary injuries in Iraq or Afghanistan between 2001 and 2013. Beyond infertility, such injuries can impair the ability to urinate and have sex. Of the injuries reported in the study, 73% involved the external genitals, and more than a third of the injuries were considered severe, including the loss of one or more testicles or complete loss of the penis. Additionally, 94% of the wounded men were 35 or younger, the peak age group for sexual development and reproduction. Another study, conducted by the VA and published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, found that male veterans who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, like Yost, were four times more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction. To make matters worse, according to researchers, these men are at a high risk for suicide—an epidemic that is already too prevalent within the veteran community. “We had to go through a lot of marriage counseling, because this was a huge thing that ultimately almost caused us to split,” said Yost. “But we were able to work through it.” “These are serious issues that most young men and women aren’t very forthcoming about, so that in itself presents a unique challenge for medical professionals in getting these veterans the physical, mental and emotional health care they need,” said National Commander Butch Whitehead. “But the resilience, strength and courage these service members and veterans display in the aftermath of such life-altering injuries is inspiring.” “That’s why I’m OK with telling my story,” said Yost. “Even though it’s embarrassing to an extent, it’ll still help other people.” n Top: Yost and his wife, Tiffany, at a family outing in summer 2017. Yost supervises DAV’s Washington, D.C., service office. Bottom: As a service officer, Yost (left) counsels veterans about benefits they have earned through their military service and helps them navigate the VA claims system. 21