When we talk about fertility, the focus is almost always on women; their age, their cycles, their eggs. But here’s the thing: in up to 50% of infertility cases, male factor infertility is involved. It’s not just a "women’s issue". It’s a people issue; and yet, we don’t talk about it enough.
At femme health, we’re all about open, honest conversations about reproductive health — and that includes shining a light on the silent struggles men are facing too. So let’s get into it: what is male infertility, why is there so little awareness, and how are toxic masculinity and social pressures keeping men in the dark?
So... What Actually Is Male Infertility?
Male infertility is when a man has a reduced chance of getting a partner pregnant. It’s often linked to problems with sperm — whether that’s low sperm count, poor motility (movement), shape (morphology), or issues with how sperm are produced or delivered.
It can also be caused by things like:
- Hormonal imbalances
- Infections or past injuries
- Varicocele (enlarged veins in the testicles)
- Lifestyle factors — think smoking, alcohol, high stress, poor diet, or even heat exposure from things like saunas or laptops on laps
Here’s the bit most people don’t know: global sperm counts have dropped by more than 50% in the last 40 years. Yet somehow, conversations about fertility rarely include men.
The Awareness Gap: Why Aren’t We Talking About This?
There’s still a widespread belief — even among healthcare professionals — that fertility is mostly a “women’s problem”. This means men are often tested later (if at all), get fewer resources, and feel like they’re not even in the fertility conversation.
This lack of awareness leads to:
- Delayed diagnosis and treatment
- Frustration and confusion
- Mental health struggles that go unnoticed
- Couples blaming themselves or each other
In short? It’s not good for anyone.
The Toxic Masculinity Factor
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: toxic masculinity. That outdated idea that men have to be stoic, strong, hypersexual, and basically emotionless.
Male fertility issues often get tied up with feelings of shame, emasculation, or “not being man enough.” And because fertility is so wrapped up in ideas of virility and strength, men can feel like talking about it threatens their identity.
We hear phrases like:
- “Shooting blanks”
- “He’s not a real man”
- “Just keep trying”
None of that helps. In fact, it makes things worse — pushing men into silence and stopping them from getting the help they need.
The Pressure to Be Fine
Even when men do know there’s a problem, many feel they’re not “allowed” to talk about it. They’re expected to be the calm, supportive partner while their own emotions take a backseat.
There’s pressure to:
- Stay strong
- Not cry
- “Fix it” without asking for help
- Keep everything bottled up
This emotional suppression isn’t just unhealthy — it’s unsustainable. Fertility struggles can affect confidence, relationships, and mental health. And when men feel like they can’t speak up, they suffer alone.
So What Can We Do About It?
We need to change the narrative. Male infertility isn’t a rare, embarrassing anomaly — it’s a common medical issue, and one that deserves just as much attention, empathy, and support as female infertility.
Here’s how we move forward:
- Start the conversation — openly, and without judgment
- Include men in fertility education from the beginning
- Challenge harmful language and stereotypes
- Offer mental health support tailored for men
- Encourage testing early, not as a last resort
And most of all, we need to remind people that fertility struggles are not a personal failure — they’re a health issue.
Final Thoughts
Male infertility is real. It’s common. And it deserves to be taken seriously. The sooner we can ditch the shame and start talking about it, the better off everyone will be — men, women, partners, and future families included.
At femme health, we believe in breaking taboos, busting myths, and creating space for all reproductive health conversations — and that includes the ones we haven’t been having enough of.
Let’s keep talking.
