The Modern Man’s Fertility Manual
When we talk about fertility, the spotlight often falls on women, but fertility is a shared journey. During Men’s Health Week, it’s time to acknowledge the crucial role men play in conception.
When we talk about fertility, the spotlight often falls on women, but fertility is a shared journey. During Men’s Health Week, it’s time to acknowledge the crucial role men play in conception and highlight how male fertility contributes to the overall success of building a family.
Whether you’re just starting to think about parenthood, actively trying to conceive, or supporting a partner through IVF, male fertility deserves attention, care, and open conversation. This guide explores everything from sperm health and collection room realities to the emotional load and lifestyle changes that can make a difference.
Understanding male fertility: It's not all on her
Roughly one third of infertility cases are due to male factors. Another third are female related, and the remaining third are either a combination or unexplained. Despite this, women are often the ones who initiate fertility investigations and treatment.
Many men come into the process uncertain of their role, sometimes assuming everything is fine on their end until testing says otherwise. Male fertility isn’t always obvious, and that’s why semen analysis is one of the very first steps in the fertility workup.
What makes “good” sperm?
You might hear someone say, “My sperm is fine” but what does that actually mean?
Under the microscope, embryologists are looking at several factors:
- Morphology: The shape and structure of sperm
- Motility: How well the sperm swim (and if they’re moving in the right direction)
- Concentration: The number of sperm in the semen
- Volume: The amount of semen produced
Sperm quality can fluctuate naturally even day to day. It takes about three months for new sperm to develop, so what you do today can impact your fertility outcomes a few months down the line.
The realities of sperm collection
Let’s address the elephant in the room: producing a semen sample on demand can be awkward, uncomfortable, or even stressful. Some men find it straightforward, others feel embarrassed or anxious.
At Genea Fertility, collection facilities are designed with comfort and privacy in mind soundproof rooms, WiFi, and everything needed for a smooth experience. Men are welcome to bring a partner for support and can also collect from home (with strict guidelines for transport and timing).
Top tips before collection:
- Abstain for 3 to 5 days for best sample quality
- Avoid lube, sex, or ejaculation before collection
- Keep the sample warm if collected at home (inside a coat pocket is ideal)
- Maintain good hygiene to avoid bacterial contamination
And yes, avoiding things like oral sex, condoms, or any non-sterile collection methods is essential. A single trace of bacteria can compromise embryo development in the lab.
Fertility, stress and mental load
It’s common for men to feel like passive observers during fertility treatment, especially when their partner is undergoing hormone injections or egg collection. But that emotional distance can lead to feelings of helplessness, stress or guilt.
Mental health matters. That’s why Genea Fertility provides access to counselling and support services tailored to both partners. Individual counselling can be especially helpful because sometimes, what men need is a private space to process grief, stress or relationship tension.
Think of mental health support the way you would a gym session: one visit won’t transform your wellbeing, but consistent care builds emotional strength, communication skills, and resilience.
Lifestyle changes that make a real difference
There's no magic pill for sperm health, but evidence-based changes can help improve outcomes. Here's what research shows works:
- Maintain a healthy BMI
- Exercise regularly (but avoid overheating)
- Stop smoking and recreational drugs
- Limit alcohol intake
- Reduce exposure to heat (e.g. saunas, hot tubs, laptops on laps)
- Avoid anabolic steroids or testosterone supplements
Steroid use can drastically reduce sperm count even supplements taken without medical advice can be harmful. If you’ve taken steroids in the past, stopping may help recovery, but it can take time, depending on how long you’ve been using them.
What about supplements?
There’s a lot of marketing around male fertility supplements, but the scientific evidence is mixed. Some multivitamins, like those containing CoQ10 or antioxidants, may offer marginal benefits but nothing has shown dramatic, consistent improvement across the board.
There’s no harm in trying them (unless you’re taking unregulated supplements or testosterone boosters), but the most important changes still come from overall health.
Frozen vs fresh sperm: What you need to know
Sperm freezing is a great option for men in high-risk jobs, those undergoing medical treatment, or anyone not planning to start a family for several years.
Thanks to advances in freezing technology, frozen sperm has excellent success rates, although fresh sperm is slightly more effective where possible. Thawing may result in a small loss of sperm, but with millions per sample, you only need one good swimmer.
IVF, ICSI and sperm confidence
If a semen analysis reveals suboptimal sperm quality, couples may be advised to use ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) a process where a single healthy sperm is selected and injected directly into an egg.
This can feel confronting for some men, but it’s simply another tool to help maximise success rates. Just like IVF, ICSI is a clinical strategy, not a statement on masculinity or fertility “failure.” It’s about increasing the chances of fertilisation, especially when much is already being invested emotionally and financially in each cycle.
Being a Supportive Partner During Treatment
The best support isn’t always about fixing it’s about showing up.
- Attend appointments where possible
- Understand medications and timelines
- Ask how your partner is feeling (and listen)
- Share the decision-making process
- Be kind to yourself and each other
Fertility journeys are tough, but partnership, empathy and open communication go a long way. Even if you feel unsure how to help, just being present makes a meaningful difference.
Takeaway Advice for Men Navigating Fertility
- Get tested early: Don’t assume everything is fine get a semen analysis early in your fertility journey.
- Take ownership: Book your tests, follow up on referrals, ask questions.
- Look after your health: Your lifestyle choices today can impact your fertility in three months.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for support: Whether emotional, physical or medical, help is available.
- Remember you're not alone: Many men are on this path and the silence around male infertility doesn’t mean it’s uncommon.
Fertility isn’t just her journey. It’s yours too. And the more we talk about it, the more we can shift the narrative around male reproductive health.
This Men’s Health Week, we invite all men to start the conversation whether it’s with your partner, your doctor, or yourself. Ask questions. Get informed. And most importantly, know that you have a powerful role to play in your family building story.
We understand that it can be overwhelming to get started on your fertility journey. To set your mind at ease and find out clear next steps, connect with our Fertility Concierge today.
Disclaimer: Please note that this is a Genea Group blog and as such information may not be relevant for all clinics. We advise that you consult clinics directly for further information.
