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Overview
When Perth couple Matt and Mylie Hammond married, they were ready to start the family they had spent years dreaming about. But after 12 months of trying to conceive without success, the couple sought answers at Genea Perth, expecting the focus to fall on Mylie. Instead, blood tests revealed Matt had Klinefelter syndrome, a genetic condition that often goes undiagnosed until adulthood and commonly affects a man's ability to produce sperm.

For Matt, 34, the diagnosis was completely unknown territory. The condition had affected his testicular development and resulted in little to no sperm production. The couple was advised their best option was a microscopic testicular sperm extraction (MicroTESE), a surgical procedure to locate sperm directly from the testes, with a 50 per cent chance of success.

The surgery was a success. Mylie then underwent IVF with egg retrieval, and following an embryo transfer in May 2021, the couple welcomed their son Jasper in February 2022.

Matt's experience reflects a pattern seen across Australia. According to ANZARD data, male infertility is a factor in one in three IVF cycles, with 20 per cent of cycles attributable to male infertility alone. Research from the Hunter Medical Research Institute suggests male infertility could account for up to 50 per cent of all infertility cases. Yet the conversation around male fertility remains far less common than it should be.

Matt is now open about his experience and encourages other men to seek testing without hesitation. Talking about it, he says, takes away the stigma.

For couples facing difficulties conceiving, assessing both partners early is essential. Understanding the full picture sooner means more options and a clearer path forward.

At Genea, our expert team of Change Makers supports both partners through every stage of the fertility journey.