For too long, fertility challenges have been seen as a female issue, with tests, treatments, and emotional pressure often falling solely on women. Yet male reproductive health contributes to at least 50% of infertility cases. Despite this, it often receives far less attention, even though male reproductive well-being is just as crucial for couples trying to conceive as egg quality. Learning how to support male fertility, improve overall reproductive health, and optimise chances of conception is an essential part of the journey to parenthood.
I am passionate about this subject because I believe the narrative needs to change. Male partners deserve practical guidance on how their everyday choices affect fertility, miscarriage risk, pregnancy, and their future child’s health.
Too many are never given this information, and too many female partners are left to carry the responsibility alone.
I begin my book with a chapter on this very topic – beginning with male fertility issues and how to take steps to assess and support healthy sperm. Earlier blogs also address this topic and provide links to research and testing options.
Trying but it’s just not happening?
Sperm health needs to be evaluated right from the start of any fertility journey. Whether you are trying to conceive naturally or using assisted reproductive techniques such as IVF (in vitro fertilisation) or ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection), understanding sperm quality and quantity is essential.
Many people still believe that ICSI can bypass sperm issues, but that is not true. During ICSI, the embryologist selects the sperm that looks best under the microscope, the one that moves well (motility) and has the right shape (morphology). However, they cannot see what is happening inside the sperm’s DNA.
Each parent contributes 23 chromosomes, forming the full genetic blueprint for the baby. If the sperm’s DNA is damaged, that blueprint may not form properly, even if the sperm looks perfect under the microscope.
There are many factors that can damage sperm. Sperm are surprisingly fragile. They can be easily damaged by oxidative stress caused by factors such as:
- chronic stress
- hormonal dysregulation
- alcohol and smoking
- high scrotal temperature from tight clothes, saunas or laptops
- endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are found in plastics and pesticides
- nutritional deficiencies
- chronic inflammation
When sperm are exposed to these stressors, their movement, shape and DNA integrity can be compromised.
Even during ICSI, if the sperm’s DNA is fragmented, it can lead to infertility, increased time to conception, IVF and ICSI failure, poor embryo quality, miscarriage, birth defects, or even long-term health and cognitive issues in offspring.
That is why a comprehensive semen analysis, including DNA fragmentation testing, is crucial. Without it, we might miss a key part of the fertility picture, which means more emotional and physical strain, particularly on those who go through hormonal stimulation, egg retrieval and repeated IVF cycles.
When the female partner undergoes such significant intervention to achieve quality eggs, it is only fair and necessary that males ensure their sperm are equally optimised.
It is the above reasons that prompted the title of my book: How to Have a HEALTHY Baby. It’s more than simply conceiving – you and your partner are creating a new life.
For more information consult a qualified fertility trained health professional.
