Half of All Fertility Challenges Involve Male Factors. Why Is the Entire Conversation Still About
the Woman?
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Motherly — Half of all fertility challenges involve male factors. Here is what every couple
needs to know about male fertility, sperm health and what to test.
When a couple experiences difficulty conceiving, the default cultural response—in India and in most of the
world—is to focus investigation and concern on the woman. She is the one who sees the gynaecologist. She is the
one who has her hormones tested and her ovaries scanned and her tubes checked. She is the one who receives
advice about lifestyle, diet, and stress management. And he—unless the couple eventually reaches a fertility
specialist who specifically requests a semen analysis—may go entirely uninvestigated for a year or more.
This approach reflects a cultural bias rather than a medical reality. Male factor infertility—problems with
sperm count, motility, morphology, or DNA fragmentation—is implicated in approximately 40 to 50% of all cases of
couple infertility. In roughly 30% of cases, it is the sole cause. Addressing male fertility as a parallel
investigation from the beginning of the fertility journey is not just fair. It is efficient, and it prevents
months of investigation directed at the wrong person.
“Addressing male fertility as a parallel investigation from the beginning of the fertility
journey is not just fair. It is efficient, and it prevents months of investigation directed at the wrong
person.”
Heat, lifestyle, and sperm health
Sperm production is sensitive to heat, which is why the testes are located outside the body at a slightly lower
temperature than core body temperature. Prolonged sitting, laptop use on the lap, tight underwear, and hot baths
can all elevate testicular temperature and affect sperm production.
Antioxidant nutrition and fertility herbs
Oxidative stress—driven by poor diet, smoking, alcohol, and environmental toxin exposure—damages sperm DNA and
reduces fertility. Antioxidant nutrition: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, zinc, selenium, and coenzyme Q10 have the
strongest evidence for improving sperm parameters and reducing DNA fragmentation. Ashwagandha and Shilajit have
robust evidence from clinical trials for improving sperm count, motility, and testosterone levels in men with
suboptimal fertility.
Explore Our Couple’s Fertility Programs
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Motherly Editorial Team
Written by Motherly’s editorial team — dedicated to supporting women through pregnancy, birth, postpartum
recovery, and early motherhood with compassion, dignity, and expert care.