The Missing Piece in the Fertility Puzzle
Understanding how male factors affect fertility and what it means for you and your body
Do you feel like you’re carrying the whole fertility journey alone? You’re not imagining it.
For a long time, all eyes were on women. You were the one tested, treated and questioned even when the answers weren’t clear. But what if that focus was only part of the story?
In 2025, a major international study led by the University of Birmingham, Münster and Dundee [1], [5] highlighted something many of us didn’t know: male infertility plays a much bigger role than what we were told.
This article isn’t about blame. It’s about clarity and the best way to move forward with real understanding.
You deserve to understand the full picture. Because when you do, you stop carrying it all on your own. You start seeing where support has been missing. And most of all, you start trusting your body again.
Let’s break this down in a way that feels simple, honest and helpful.
1. What We Were Told & What Was Missing
a. All eyes were on women
Until recently, fertility care focused almost entirely on women. You were the one called for test after test. Hormones. Scans. Treatments. Some of my clients told me they went through years of appointments before their husbands were even tested. The good news is, more and more women now say their partners are being assessed early in the process too. This is progress.
b. The 50% fact
Here’s what the latest data shows: male factors are involved in about 50% of all infertility cases. That full 100% breaks down like this: around 30% are caused by male infertility alone, 30% by female infertility alone, 20% involve both partners and 20% remain unexplained. That means tests didn’t find a clear reason, even after both partners were fully assessed. There was no medical explanation as to why pregnancy wasn’t happening [4].
c. Why this wasn’t talked about
There are a few reasons why this may have happened. The woman carries the baby, so the focus naturally stayed on her. Most testing and treatment plans were built around her body. Back then, we didn’t realise how much the man’s fertility mattered too.
Now we do. Studies are showing that sperm plays a bigger role than just fertilising the egg. It helps guide the earliest stages of development. Poor sperm quality has been linked to problems with how the placenta forms, which is key for the baby to grow. It’s also linked to a higher risk of miscarriage [2], [3].
So when we look at fertility today, it’s clear that both sides matter. Testing both partners gives better answers. It also helps reduce unnecessary treatments and pressure on women.
That’s changing now—because it has to.
When both partners are properly assessed, women go through fewer unnecessary treatments and couples get the answers they deserve.
2. What the Science Says Now
a. Beyond sperm count
For years, sperm tests focused on how many sperm there were and what they looked like and that didn’t tell the full story. Many men who were told their sperm was “normal” still struggled to conceive with their partner. Why? Because their sperm couldn’t move properly and that’s something traditional tests didn’t check.
A team of researchers from Birmingham, Münster and Dundee created a tool called FAST (Flagellar Analysis and Sperm Tracking). This tool looks at how sperm tails move, how they beat and swim, which is key for sperm to reach the egg [1], [5]. Think of it like a fitness test for sperm. Even if they look okay under a microscope, if they can’t move the right way, they likely won’t reach or fertilise the egg. With FAST, doctors can now spot these hidden problems and give couples clearer answers.
It turns out that many men with “normal” results may still have sperm that don’t function properly. With this new test, doctors can now spot issues that might have been missed before and give couples more accurate answers.
b. Everyday habits matter
Things like stress, smoking, poor sleep and weight all affect sperm quality. Research confirms that these factors directly change how sperm behave [2], [4]. That means small lifestyle changes can help a lot. It’s not about doing everything perfectly. It’s about knowing what makes a difference and starting there.
Simple changes like getting better sleep, eating more fresh food and finding better ways to manage stress can be powerful. You don’t need to do it all at once. One step at a time is enough. And now we know these habits don’t just help you conceive. They also support a healthier pregnancy and can make a real difference for your future baby too.
c. Looking deeper into sperm DNA
Some sperm problems are hard to see. Even when sperm look normal, they might still carry hidden damage in their DNA. This is called DNA fragmentation. It means the genetic material inside the sperm is broken or incomplete. This can make it harder to fertilise an egg. And if fertilisation happens, it can lead to weaker embryos or raise the risk of miscarriage [2], [3].
This damage often comes from oxidative stress—when harmful molecules build up in the body and there aren’t enough antioxidants to balance them. Things like smoking, pollution, poor diet and stress can all play a part. Sperm are especially vulnerable because they can’t repair this kind of damage easily.
DNA damage can happen during sperm production, while sperm travel through the body or due to outside factors. It’s more common than most people realise. I see this more often now. That’s why I created a special recording for men who want to improve their sperm health. Because when sperm quality improves, so do your chances of conception, a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
When doctors understand what’s happening at the DNA level, they can give couples clearer answers. This can help guide the next steps and lead to more personalised, effective treatment options.
3. What This Means for You
a. The magic happens in your body
Even if the diagnosis points to male infertility, conception still happens inside your body. Your womb, your hormones, your cycles: they lead the process.
This means your body is always central. You are not on the sidelines of this journey. You are at the core of it. You create the space, the rhythm, and the environment where life begins and grows. And because of that, you can do so much to support conception—physically, emotionally, and energetically. I work with many women facing male infertility. They learn how their body still plays a powerful role. Your body is not passive. It’s responsive. It adapts and it can welcome life, even in challenging conditions. And when you give it the care and trust it needs, it often surprises you.
Even if a doctor says the challenge lies outside of you, know this: what happens in your body still makes all the difference. When you care for it, trust it and listen to it, you reconnect with a power beyond logic, a quiet strength that lives in your body and knows exactly what to do.
Your body is not broken. It’s brilliant. And it deserves the same attention, support and respect, no matter what the diagnosis says.
b. You don’t need millions: The Real Story on Sperm Numbers
You’ve probably been told that you need millions of sperm to get pregnant. But here’s the truth: more isn’t always better.
Yes, only one sperm is needed to fertilise an egg—but the journey is hard. Not all sperm make it. Only a small number are healthy enough to reach the egg.
Studies show that about 15 million sperm per millilitre is considered the lower end of a “normal” sperm count. But I’ve worked with couples where sperm counts were lower—and they still conceived. It might take a little longer, but it’s still possible.
A large study from Denmark found that chances of pregnancy improve as sperm count rises—but only up to around 40 million per millilitre. After that, the odds don’t really change. So no, you don’t need 100 or 200 million. You just need a strong team that knows how to do the job.
And it’s not just about the numbers. Sperm quality matters too. They need to swim well. They need the right shape. That’s what really makes the difference. In fact, studies say that motility (how well sperm move) and morphology (shape) are often more important than just the count.
Think of it like this: you don’t need a massive crowd. You need a solid few. Like a focused team of warriors—ready, able and determined. And that’s what really makes the difference. That’s why more doctors today are looking at the full picture—not just one number.
c. You are not a statistic
You may have seen the numbers. You may have read things that made you feel like your chances are low. Maybe someone even told you it’s not worth trying, that you’re just wasting time. I hear stories like this every day. But you are not a number. You are not a folder on someone’s desk.
You are a whole person. And your body is capable of far more than you’ve been told or led to believe, especially when it’s supported and trusted. This is where your decision comes in. You get to choose to believe that you are the one it works for. You get to decide that you are the exception. With full trust. With no space for doubt. Because when you believe that, something shifts. And that shift can change everything.
A New Way Forward
Fertility science is changing. We now know that male infertility is far more common than we once believed. Research from leading global universities is giving us better tools, better insights, and a more balanced understanding of what’s really going on.
This isn’t about pointing fingers. It’s not about blame.
It’s about moving forward with clearer information, better support and real hope.
Even when male factors are part of the picture, conception still happens in your body. That means you hold so much power in this process.
Your womb, your rhythm, your energy, they still lead the way. And there’s so much you can do to support that.
You don’t need everything to be perfect. You don’t have to figure it out by yourself. What you do need is clarity, support and a deeper trust in your own body.
You might be the one reading this, even if the fertility diagnosis wasn’t “yours.” That’s how it usually starts. Let’s make space for your voice, your questions and your body’s wisdom.
References
[1] University of Dundee, 2025 international study on male infertility.
[2] World Journal of Men’s Health, 2024 review on male infertility developments.
[3] Grand Rounds in Urology, 2024 state-of-the-art male fertility testing.
[4] Extend Fertility, 2025 National Infertility Awareness Week.
[5] University of Birmingham, 2025 global study on male infertility.
Main – Photo by Andrea Piacquadio
