Male Fertility and Infertility is a topic which gets little airtime, however The Fertility Podcast had discussed what causes it, what can be done about it, how it can be improved before having to have fertility treatment, what treatment is available and what is life like for childless men.
Thanks to our episode sponsor Examenlab who has created Exact tests (https://examenlab.com/for-men/the-test/?utm_source=Fertility%2520Road&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Examen%2520Fertility%2520Road%2520Blogs&utm_content=Blog%25201) to give a clear picture of the quality of sperm DNA, you can see whether or not there is a possibility of improving it. Visit examenlab.com (http://examenlab.com) to find out more
You've heard a snippet of our chat with professor Sheryl Homa explaining the big gap in treatment for men at the GP surgery and how all too often they are fast-tracked through the doors of a fertility clinic when more investigations should and could be done. Listen in full (https://www.thefertilitypodcast.com/professorsheryl/)
Also, Gareth Down talked about the male-only Facebook group he set up, find out how you can join and listen in full here (https://www.thefertilitypodcast.com/gareth/)
Dr. Muhammed Akhtar explains how men can make lifestyle changes to prevent a decline in sperm count. Listen to the full episode here. (https://www.thefertilitypodcast.com/spermdecline/)
Gaz spoke about what he wished he’d known sooner after having failed cycles and multiple miscarriages and then finding out about sperm DNA fragmentation. Listen here. (https://www.thefertilitypodcast.com/maleresearch/)
Professor Sheena Lewis, who created the Sperm Comet test talks more about what the test can show you. Listen here. (https://www.thefertilitypodcast.com/testyoursperm/)
SOCIAL MEDIA:
@fertilitypoddy (https://www.instagram.com/fertilitypoddy)
@yourfertilityjourney (https://www.instagram.com/your_fertility_journey/)
8 Mar 2022
The Early Years: Why isn't there more research on Male Infertility?
Why are there such gaps in our knowledge when it comes to male reproductive health? Well as we continue with our Early Years theme we're in conversation with Rene Almeling - sociologist and author of a new book called Guynecology, a smart book with a smart title.
The Fertility Podcast is dedicated to giving a voice to male fertility issues, both with the expert interviews we share and inviting men to come and share their experiences. We also champion the importance for Men to be included in ALL fertility discussions, which we know often isn't the case.
Natalie came across Rene's book after reading an article in Elle magazine and didn’t hesitate to get Rene on the show as we needed to hear more about Guynecology!
Rene takes us back in history to explain why, until recently, men’s reproductive health was largely ignored. At the end of the 19th century, a move by US doctors to develop a male fertility speciality was ridiculed, mainly due to the stigma surrounding what was then in focus - venereal disease. In the 1960s another group of doctors developed the speciality Andrology but to this day Andrology is in no way near the established speciality like its female reproductive health equivalent.
A pet hate of Kate’s is that fertility clinics rarely work alongside each other, and Rene tells us about emerging research looking into paternal effects and why it is important to have more joined-up working. This new research suggests that the impact of age, lifestyle and exposure to chemicals, in the 2-3 months that sperm is developing, can damage sperm in a way that can impact not just fertility, but importantly the health of the child.
Rene talks about the importance of adding male fertility to the school curriculum and missed opportunities of talking to young men about their reproductive health. From her research into the topic, Renee concluded that we don’t need a whole new speciality of male reproductive health. We just need to take our umbrella of reproductive health and stretch it to cover men too.
Rene’s book is so interesting and if you have an interest in male fertility or you or your partner are struggling with male factor infertility then this is for you. You can also win Natalie's bookmarked copy ( with a lot of post notes for reference ) via her Insta
Please do review this episode via Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-fertility-podcast/id918950602?ign-mpt=uo%3D4) as we'd love to hear your thoughts.
Rene Almeling (http://www.renealmeling.com/)
Twitter (@ralmeling)
Natalie on Insta (https://www.instagram.com/fertilitypoddy/)
Kate on Insta (https://www.instagram.com/your_fertility_journey/)
3 Mar 2022
How can Men feel more confident to talk more about infertility?
Meet Rod Silvers, our latest guest on 'Talk Fertility' the show I'm co-hosting with Kate Davies for UK Health Radio.
We caught up with Rod, Actor, and Writer about the impact of infertility on men, why medical professionals need to include men in the conversations, and the importance of getting men talking. Rod’s film and play covering the topic of male fertility are England Expects and Terry and Jude.
I've met Rod a couple of times and was struck by his cheeky chappy persona and have been keen to capture his story to share with you for a while. Rod has recently been on Radio 4 interviewing experts in the field of male fertility. Rob struggles to talk about his fertility journey but uses his voice and creativity to encourage other men to get talking.
In our, chat Rod talks about how he feels that men are beginning to open up and talk more but states it’s important not to make the assumption that all men will talk. Some men feel they can or shouldn’t talk. It’s not a weakness to talk but a strength.
We discussed 'The Arc of Life' something that came out in a conversation Rod had with Dr. Robin Hadley about the differing ways infertility affect men throughout their life. You can hear a previous conversation I had with Robin here (https://www.thefertilitypodcast.com/ep63-how-men-deal-with-involuntary-childlessness/) and you can search by Robin's name in the podcast section of this website, to find hear more of our conversations.
Rod talked about how he recently spoke to a gay man who talked about how he is finding it really hard to talk about fertility among the gay community.
We also discussed how during Rod and his ex-wife’s IVF treatment Rod felt that there was no involvement or inclusion for him as a man. Apart from the first appointment he was never again involved in a conversation during their IVF treatment. This was something we certainly experienced during our treatment and it caused stress between the two of them.
Rod talked about how all of his focus was on his wife and he wanted her to be happy and get what she wanted and therefore he didn’t focus on himself or even considered talking.
We spoke about Andrologists who are the experts in male fertility but men are infrequently referred. Jonathon Ramsey, a renowned urologist promotes the fact that all men should be examined as well as having a semen analysis and you hear a clip with Jonathan at Fertility Fest at the end of this episode.
Points discussed were how focusing more on men could, in some circumstances, avoid the invasive, expensive, and emotionally draining IVF treatment.
We asked Rod his advice to his younger fertile self would be – talk. Tell someone how you feel and more importantly talk to your partner and tell them how you feel. It’s a strength, not a weakness.
Find out more about Rod here (http://rod-silvers.co.uk)
Listen to ‘My name is Rod Silvers’ BBC Radio 4 show - (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00066zc)
Men Speak (https://www.fertilityfest.com/more-to-life-barbican)
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Natalie @fertilitypoddy (https://instagram.com/fertilitypoddy)
Kate Davies @your_fertility_journey (https://instagram.com/your_fertility_journey)
Instagram – https://instagram.com/your_fertility_journey (https://instagram.com/your_fertility_journey)
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