Why the Hidden Half of Infertility Deserves More Attention

For too long, infertility has been framed as a "women's issue." But science tells a different story: male factors contribute to nearly half of all infertility cases. Despite this, most of the testing, treatment, and public conversation still centers on women. It's time to rebalance the narrative.

The Overlooked Half

When couples struggle to conceive, the first clinical steps often involve a battery of tests for the female partner. Many men aren't tested at all unless there's an obvious reason to be. In fact, only 18–27% of men are evaluated during initial infertility assessments. That means countless cases of male-factor infertility go undiagnosed, delaying effective treatment and compounding emotional stress for couples.

This gap isn't just clinical—it's cultural. Talking about sperm quality or male reproductive health remains taboo in many circles. Men may feel embarrassed, ashamed, or simply unaware that they could be part of the equation. As a result, male infertility often goes unaddressed until much later in the fertility journey.

What the Numbers Say

• Up to 50% of infertility cases involve male factors

• A third of IVF cycles are conducted without adequate sperm testing or treatment

• Average sperm counts have declined by over 50% globally in the last 40 years

• Only a small fraction of NIH and global funding is allocated to male reproductive research

These statistics point to a quiet crisis—one with far-reaching implications not just for individuals, but for public health.

Why It Matters

Ignoring male fertility isn't just unfair; it's inefficient. When male factors are undiagnosed or untreated, it often leads to costly, invasive procedures for women that might have been avoided. It can also lead to unnecessary emotional burdens, relationship strain, and prolonged timelines.

Sperm health is also a biomarker of overall male health. Low motility or poor morphology can indicate underlying conditions like hormonal imbalances, metabolic disorders, or lifestyle-related issues. Understanding sperm health, then, is a window into a man’s broader well-being.

Changing the Conversation

The good news? Things are beginning to shift. More clinics are incorporating comprehensive semen analysis earlier in the diagnostic process. At-home sperm testing is making male fertility more accessible. And startups like ours are developing targeted treatments aimed at improving sperm motility and outcomes in assisted reproduction.

But we still have work to do. Raising awareness is the first step. Normalizing the conversation is the next.

Over the next several weeks, I’ll be publishing a series of articles aimed at demystifying male fertility—what it is, how it’s tested, what affects it, and what can be done about it. Whether you're on your own fertility journey, supporting a partner, or simply want to understand more about your health, we hope these pieces offer clarity, compassion, and actionable insight.

Because fertility is not a women's issue. It's a human one.