“It’s Not Always Her: Rethinking Male Infertility

There’s a quiet assumption in many households when a couple struggles to conceive: the problem must lie with the woman.

The truth is different.

Male factor infertility contributes to nearly 40–50% of all infertility cases, either alone or combined with female factors. Yet it remains one of the least discussed, least screened aspects of fertility care.

What contributes to male infertility?

• Declining sperm count and quality, seen increasingly across younger age groups
• Varicocele: enlarged veins in the scrotum that raise testicular temperature and impair sperm production
• Azoospermia: complete absence of sperm in the ejaculate, which does not always mean biological fatherhood is impossible
• Lifestyle factors: smoking, alcohol, obesity, heat exposure, and chronic stress

The good news: most causes are treatable.

For varicocele, correction can meaningfully improve sperm parameters.

For azoospermia, techniques like TESA (Testicular Sperm Aspiration) and TESE (Testicular Sperm Extraction) can retrieve sperm directly from the testicular tissue, even when none is found in the ejaculate.

Combined with ICSI, this has helped many men who were once told fatherhood wasn’t possible.

The real barrier isn’t medical. It’s silence.

Too many men delay a semen analysis out of embarrassment, or avoid the conversation altogether. A basic semen analysis is simple, quick, and often the first step that changes the direction of a couple’s fertility journey.

Infertility is a couple’s issue, not just a woman’s diagnosis.

If you and your partner have been trying to conceive, both partners deserve equal, early evaluation.”

Other articles featuring Hrishikesh Pai on Fertility News.

“Last month, the Center for Healthy Aging in Women at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging just wrapped its Reproductive Aging Summit, and I am still thinking about the impact.

We spent the day exploring reproductive aging from every angle.

• Ovarian aging and fertility.
• Menopause and midlife health.
• The links between reproductive aging and whole-body health.
• New approaches to extending healthspan specifically for women.

Junior investigators and trainees presented new work throughout the day, and the poster session showed the sheer breadth of what is happening in this space right now.

One of the highlights, for me, was our community panel, where researchers sat alongside women from the community to talk honestly about what people actually need across the lifespan, and how research eventually becomes better care.

This is one of the most understudied areas in aging biology, and also one of the most consequential. Women live longer than men, and spend more of those years in poor health.

Closing that gap starts with taking the biology of reproductive aging seriously.

Thank you to every speaker, panelist, researcher, and attendee who made this an amazing day!

If you work in women’s health or reproductive biology, what question do you most want this field to answer next?”

Stay informed with the latest updates in fertility and reproductive medicine on Fertility News.

“In this systematic review, Julia Deneer, Yvonne Louwers, and Eileen Lashley summarize and evaluate studies primarily investigating pregnancy outcomes in women with idiopathic premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) compared with women without POI, following both spontaneous and assisted conceptions.

Despite screening 3640 articles, none met the predefined inclusion criteria set for the study. Nevertheless, comparison of available data on POI pregnancies with outcomes in the general population suggests an increased risk of early pregnancy loss, after (non-) donor ART.

Given that POI is a complex condition with profound effects on physical and mental health, the authors discuss the importance of further exploration of its potential impact on pregnancy and emphasize the need for well-designed future studies in this field.

Published open access, the Review is available to read in full from issue 52.6″

Title: Pregnancy outcome in patients with idiopathic premature ovarian insufficiency: a systematic review of the literature

Authors: Julia JM Deneer, Yvonne V Louwers, Eileen ELO Lashley

You can read the Full Article in Reproductive BioMedicine Online (RBMO).

Stay informed with the latest updates in fertility and reproductive medicine on Fertility News.

“Male Fertility Can Be Improved. So Why Aren’t We Talking About This More?

When a couple is struggling to conceive, who usually starts making the changes? More often than not, it’s the woman.

She’s researching fertility. Looking at her diet. Taking supplements. Tracking her cycle. Thinking about her weight, stress, sleep and lifestyle.

Meanwhile, the conversation around male fertility can sometimes go little further than a sperm test.

Yet creating a baby has always involved two people. And here’s the part I believe we need to talk about much more:

Male fertility isn’t necessarily fixed. There are tings men can do to support and potentially improve the quality of their sperm.

That should be an incredibly hopeful message for couples who are struggling to conceive.

The 90 days before conception matter for men too.

Men continually produce new sperm, and it takes approximately 90 days for sperm to develop. That means the sperm involved in conception three months from now is developing today.

So what happens during those months matters.

Nutrition, gut health, weight, sleep, stress, alcohol, smoking and vaping, exercise, environmental toxins and other lifestyle factors can all influence the environment in which sperm develops.

Yet how many men are actually being encouraged to use those 90 days to prepare?

In my experience, not nearly enough.

We’re missing an opportunity.

When poor sperm quality, concentration or motility is identified, couples may be told what the problem is without necessarily being given comprehensive support around what could potentially be done to improve it.

And sometimes the assumption is:

‘We’re going for IVF anyway, so does it really matter?’

I believe it does. IVF can help sperm and egg meet, but it doesn’t make the health of the sperm irrelevant. IVF is a fertilisation technology; it’s not a fertility treatment.

Whether you’re trying naturally or through IVF, surely it makes sense to create the healthiest egg and sperm possible before conception? This isn’t about guaranteeing an outcome.

It’s about doing what you reasonably can to improve the foundations you’re starting with.

Gut health may be part of that foundation.

This is one area I believe is still hugely underestimated in fertility for men as well as women.

We tend to think about gut health in terms of bloating, constipation, indigestion or other digestive symptoms and those are some early signs of poor gut health.

But the gut microbiome has a much wider influence throughout the body, including nutrient absorption, inflammation, immune function and hormone regulation.

Emerging research is also exploring the relationship between the gut microbiome, the male reproductive microbiome and reproductive health.

An imbalanced gut microbiome and the inflammation associated with it have been linked with poorer sperm concentration and motility and changes in hormone levels, including testosterone.

And this is why simply taking a probiotic isn’t necessarily the answer.

When someone’s microbiome is significantly out of balance, restoring gut health can require a much more structured and personalised approach.

It’s not about blaming men.

This is incredibly important.

Male fertility needs more attention, but this should never become another source of blame.

Finding out that sperm quality may be contributing to difficulties conceiving can be extremely difficult for a man.

It can affect confidence and masculinity. He may feel he’s letting his partner down.

The answer isn’t to say:

‘You need to sort your sperm out.’

It’s to change the conversation entirely.

‘What can we both do over the next 90 days to become healthier and give ourselves the best possible chance of conceiving?’

Suddenly, fertility preparation becomes something you’re doing together.

Not his problem.

Not her problem.

Your shared preparation for your future family.

Small changes can build a very different foundation.

Improving male preconception health doesn’t have to mean turning life upside down.

• It can mean looking at nutrition and gut health.
• Improving sleep.
• Moving more.
• Reducing alcohol.
• Stopping smoking or vaping.
• Reducing unnecessary exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
• Addressing weight where appropriate.
• Managing stress.
• Avoiding excessive heat around the testes.
• Looking at workplace exposure to chemicals, solvents, pesticides or heavy metals where relevant.

Individually, some of these things may sound quite simple. Together, over time, they can help create a healthier environment in which sperm develops.

And there’s another benefit that I think is equally important. You’re not only creating healthier habits to help you conceive and have a healthy baby.

You’re creating habits that can support your health through pregnancy, parenthood and the years ahead.

To me, that matters, and it’s a great gift for your future child.

Because the goal isn’t simply to make a baby. It’s to create the foundations for a healthy family.

Male fertility needs to become part of the normal fertility conversation.

I would love to see us reach the point where, when a couple is struggling to conceive, we don’t automatically focus most of our attention on the woman.

Where men aren’t simply tested and then forgotten about. Where both partners are encouraged to prepare. And where couples understand that the months before conception are not simply months of waiting.

They are an opportunity.

An opportunity to improve health. An opportunity to support egg and sperm quality. An opportunity to prepare for natural conception or IVF. Because the health of both parties really does matter.

And an opportunity to approach fertility as a couple rather than leaving one partner carrying most of the responsibility.

Because fertility isn’t solely a woman’s responsibility. It takes two to create a baby and preparation should involve two as well. It also brings couples closer together and strengthens their relationship.

If you’ve been struggling to conceive, have been told IVF may be your next step, or have already experienced unsuccessful IVF cycles, it may be worth asking a different question:

Have both of us really done everything we can to prepare our bodies for conception?

If you’d like help understanding what may be worth exploring for you or your partner, I offer a complimentary, confidential 30-minute Fertility Focus Call.

We’ll look at your individual situation and identify where there may be opportunities to strengthen your fertility foundations, whether you’re hoping to conceive naturally or through IVF.”

Other articles featuring Sue Ritchie on Fertility News.

“Every day of BFS Study Week 2026 has been an exceptional learning experience, combining high-quality lectures with valuable insights from leading experts across different fields.

The programme has provided an excellent opportunity to enhance my knowledge of ultrasound, IVF, and reproductive medicine, while strengthening practical clinical skills.

A highly enriching and rewarding week of professional development, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning.

2 of the greatest mentors in BFS study week:

Ippokratis Sarris
Dimitris Mavrelos.”

Other articles featuring Salma Yasin on Fertility News.

“Natural Conception or IVF After 35?

The Real Decision Isn’t Either/Or

Past 35, the question people ask is usually ‘keep trying or start In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)?’

But that’s not actually the decision your clinician makes first.

The real first step is an evaluation – and it doesn’t commit you to anything yet.

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) recommends that evaluation after 6 months of trying at 35 or older, sooner if there’s a known concern, and more immediately past 40.

There’s no universal extra month everyone should spend trying a wellness product before booking that appointment – the evaluation comes first, regardless of what else is on the table.

What that evaluation opens up isn’t a single choice but three possible directions, and each comes with its own question worth asking rather than assuming.

• If continued trying is still reasonable, ask your clinician what makes waiting appropriate for you specifically, and when to reassess.
• If medication or insemination comes up, ask which finding it’s meant to address, and what result would change the plan.
• And if IVF is recommended, ask directly why now – along with the real benefits, burdens, and alternatives, not just the recommendation itself.

One number tends to derail this conversation before it gets anywhere: Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH).

It estimates how you might respond to IVF stimulation – not your odds of conceiving naturally, and not your egg quality on its own.

A low result isn’t proof that pregnancy is off the table.

If a number feels alarming, the more useful question isn’t for a new test or product – it’s simply, ‘what does this actually change in my plan?’

Whichever direction the evaluation points, a few things are worth pinning down before any appointment:

• whether an outcome estimate reflects pregnancy or live birth,
• and whether it’s per cycle or per transfer;
• what waiting would actually mean for your specific timeline;
• the full cost, not just the headline number, including medications, storage, and follow-up;
• and what the visit schedule looks like, including what support exists if it gets hard.

If you’re also weighing a wellness routine alongside any of this, the honest move is to bring it to your fertility team directly – as part of the same plan, not a separate decision made on the side.

Historical reports on a routine like that can’t be compared to clinic success rates, and they can’t tell you who’s safe to wait longer.

General education. Qingcai Wang, MD, PhD, developed the Five Essences formulations and has a commercial interest in their sale.

Full guide.”

Stay informed with the latest updates in fertility and reproductive medicine on Fertility News.

“Can a woman become pregnant again while already pregnant?

It sounds impossible – but superfetation is a fascinating and extremely rare phenomenon in human reproduction.

What is superfetation?

Superfetation refers to a second conception occurring during an already established pregnancy, resulting in two embryos/fetuses at different developmental stages.

The fascinating concept:

1. First ovulation – fertilization – implantation
2. Pregnancy becomes established
3. A second ovulation occurs
4. The second oocyte is fertilized
5. A second embryo implants and develops alongside the first

This creates a remarkable situation where two embryos are present in the same uterus but have different developmental timelines.

Superfetation ≠ Superfecundation

• Superfecundation: two or more oocytes from the same cycle are fertilized, typically from separate sexual acts.
• Superfetation: a new conception occurs after an earlier pregnancy has already been established.

Embryology reminds us that human reproduction is far more complex than a simple timeline.

Quiz for my fellow embryologists and reproductive science enthusiasts:

What is the key difference between superfetation and superfecundation?

Drop your answer below.

And share this post with someone who loves fascinating embryology facts!”

Other articles featuring Bhumika on Fertility News. 

“15 more experts. More reasons to be in the room!

The IFF Mumbai 2026 line-up just got bigger. 

• 28 expert voices.
• Two days.
• One conversation about the future of fertility care – and the businesses behind it.

From clinic growth and investment to patient experience, technology, marketing and leadership, we’re bringing together people who understand the decisions, challenges and opportunities facing fertility businesses today.

If you own, lead, invest in or help grow a fertility business, this is your invitation to join the conversation.

Watch the video to meet our expanded faculty. Then come and meet them in Mumbai.

• 12-13 December 2026
• ITC Maratha Hotel, Mumbai

Book your delegate pass.

A warm welcome to our 15 additional experts:

Sonam Jain, Diana Crasta, Jayesh Morvadiya, Neha K. Motwani, Syd Daftary, Mritunjay Kumar, Dr. Amit Kr Bhatnagar, Nilesh Auti, Nitul Parikh, Jaie Prabhughate, Bharat Vyas, Elizabeth Abraham, Shobhit Agarwal, Abhishek Aggrawal and Sudhaker Jadhav.

Joining our original faculty, led by event chair Vinesh Gadhia:

David Sable, Kshitiz Murdia, Gaurav Marathe, Roula Youssef Halabi, Sarah Banks, Dr. Cristina Hickman, Prof. Alison Campbell, Prof. Roy Homburg, Dr. Manish Banker, Nicole D. Koczanowicz, Dr. Sunil Jindal and Javier Herrero Zapata.

Big ideas. Practical conversations. People worth meeting.”

Proceed to the video attached to the post.

Other articles featuring The International Fertility Forum on Fertility News.

“Curious about what happens behind the scenes in the labs?

From testing to freezing and carefully storing gametes and embryos, every step is handled with care and attention by our experienced embryology team.

Our labs are equipped with advanced technology to support our embryologists in providing the highest standard of care throughout your fertility journey.”

Stay informed with the latest updates in fertility and reproductive medicine on Fertility News.

“Many people assume fertility disappears overnight.

In reality, most fertility changes occur gradually over time.

Early awareness can make a meaningful difference in future choices and outcomes.”

Stay informed with the latest updates in fertility and reproductive medicine on Fertility News.