5 Common Myths About Male Infertility

When a couple has difficulty getting pregnant, attention often turns to the woman. But infertility isn’t one-sided, and when fertility is seen as a sign of masculinity, that assumption makes it harder for men to seek help.

At CARE Fertility in Bedford and Fort Worth, Texas, our experts understand how these misconceptions can stand in the way of getting real answers. That’s why our approach includes both partners from the very beginning. We provide comprehensive male infertility evaluations, including advanced diagnostic testing and semen analysis.

Here, we debunk some of the most common myths about male infertility so you can replace misinformation with understanding and take the necessary steps to grow your family.

Myth 1: Infertility is a woman’s problem

This is one of the most widespread and damaging myths. In reality, infertility is evenly divided: about one-third of cases are due to female factors, one-third to male factors, and one-third to a combination of both or unexplained causes.  

Even today, many women blame themselves when pregnancy doesn’t happen, while men assume they’re not the issue. But men experience several conditions that affect sperm quality, quantity, and function, making conception more difficult. 

Understanding that infertility affects both partners is key to getting timely and effective care. 

Myth 2: Men can father children at any age

While it’s true that men don’t experience a defined fertility end point like menopause, sperm count, motility (movement), and morphology (shape) change with advanced age, reducing the chances of successful egg fertilization. 

Age matters for men, too. If you’re trying to conceive, an earlier evaluation can make a difference.

Myth 3: If you can ejaculate, your fertility is fine

Ejaculation doesn’t always mean fertility. Semen, the fluid released during ejaculation, contains seminal fluid and sperm. However, normal-looking ejaculate can still have issues such as low sperm count, poor sperm movement, or abnormal sperm shape, all of which can interfere with egg fertilization.

A semen analysis is one of the simplest and most effective ways to assess male infertility and find potential issues.

Myth 4: Lifestyle choices don’t affect male fertility

Your daily habits have a significant effect on reproductive health. Factors like poor diet, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol use, and smoking can reduce sperm production and function. 

Smoking, for example, can impair blood flow and contribute to erectile dysfunction. Further, chronic health conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension can decrease male fertility.

Taking steps to improve your lifestyle with balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and limited use of harmful substances can benefit your fertility and overall health. 

Myth 5: Male infertility is untreatable

Many causes of male infertility are treatable. Once we identify the underlying issue, we can create a personalized plan to improve your chances of conception. 

Treatment may include lifestyle changes, medication, or procedures to improve sperm count or quality. For some couples, we may recommend assisted reproductive techniques such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF).

If conception with your sperm isn’t possible, we can talk to you about sperm donation.

Male infertility is more common than you think, but it’s highly treatable. Addressing it early and openly can make a significant difference in your fertility journey.

At CARE Fertility, we can help you every step of the way. Call our office today or request an appointment online.