EDUCATION
Male Fertility
It is widely known that one in six couples will face infertility at some point in their lives. What is less commonly recognised is that in about 30 percent of those cases, the issue lies solely with the man. Another 30 percent are attributed to the woman, and the remaining 40 percent involve a combination of both partners. Despite male factors being a significant part of the equation, is the patient experience—and the support offered—truly equal for men and women?
Article Series
The Male Patient Experience in Fertility Treatment
In society, fertility is often framed as a predominantly female issue. Most educational resources, support systems, and marketing messages focus on women. When it comes to assisted reproductive techniques, this focus makes some sense—since these procedures involve the female body—but it also sidelines men, whose role is equally critical.
Male Fertility Testing
or decades, semen analysis has been regarded as the gold standard for assessing male fertility, providing men with a basic overview of their sperm health. However, advancements in diagnostic technology now offer more comprehensive insights into a man’s fertility potential, allowing men and couples to better understand their reproductive health and make informed decisions about fertility treatments.
The impact of male fertility on men
Male infertility affects about 1 in 6 to 10 men worldwide, making it more common than diabetes. Yet, while diabetes is openly discussed, screened for, and the subject of educational campaigns, male infertility remains largely under the radar. People are well-informed about diabetes, its causes, and risk factors—but do men have the same level of awareness about their fertility? Hardly.
Support for Men
A study conducted in collaboration with Fertility Network UK revealed that men often feel excluded and marginalised, as most of the attention tends to focus on their female partner. Many men also reported feeling a lack of sensitivity from clinical staff and perceived a shortage of emotional support services from healthcare professionals and fertility clinics.
The male fertility problem: What can be done better?
Male infertility is an increasingly recognised issue, that appears to be worsening with time. While significant advancements in fertility technology such as embryoscopes, PGT-A, ICSI, and PICSI have transformed some areas of treatment, progress in addressing male fertility challenges remains frustratingly stagnant.
Understanding Sperm Production, Hormonal Regulation, and Fertility
Sperm production, known as spermatogenesis, is a detailed and carefully controlled process crucial to male fertility. Through spermatogenesis, basic cells in the testes develop into mature sperm ready to fertilise an egg.
Available in two versions:
How to Improve Sperm Health
Male fertility plays a crucial role in many cases of infertility and optimising sperm health can improve the chances of conception. Key factors such as sperm count, motility, morphology, and overall sperm function significantly impact male fertility. These parameters can be influenced by diet, lifestyle, environmental exposures, and frequency of ejaculation. This guide provides general advice on improving sperm quality through nutrition and lifestyle modifications.
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