4 Common Myths About Men’s Fertility (And What Actually Matters)
When fertility challenges arise, most men are trying to do the right thing. They get tested, wait for results, and assume that if nothing alarming shows up, everything must be fine. The problem is that fertility decisions are often shaped by assumptions that sound reasonable and feel reassuring, yet quietly influence timing and preparation in ways that can limit outcomes. Some of these beliefs don’t cause obvious harm. Others subtly delay action at the very point where preparation would matter most.
Let’s unpack four of the most common myths about male fertility and explore what actually matters instead.
Myth #1: A “Normal” Semen Analysis Means Everything Is Fine
A semen analysis is a valuable and important test. If results fall within reference ranges, that is genuinely reassuring. It rules out major abnormalities and provides a useful baseline. However, it’s important to understand what the test is designed to measure and, just as importantly, what it is not designed to measure.
A semen analysis functions primarily as a screening tool. It compares sperm concentration, motility, and morphology against population-based reference values and identifies clear issues when they exist. What it does not assess is how resilient sperm DNA is or how DNA damage may influence fertilisation and pregnancy outcomes. A result can sit comfortably within the “normal” range while still leaving room for optimisation.
In the context of fertility challenges, the distinction between normal and optimal becomes significant. Stopping at “normal” can mean overlooking opportunities to reduce avoidable risk and improve biological preparation before conception or treatment.
Myth #2: Men’s Fertility Doesn’t Decline With Age
It is often said that men can father children at any age. In a narrow biological sense, that is true—men continue to produce sperm throughout life. But ongoing production does not mean that age has no influence.
Unlike female fertility, male fertility does not decline abruptly. Instead, changes tend to occur gradually. As men move from their late 30s into their 40s, research has demonstrated progressive shifts in DNA integrity, oxidative stress, and genetic stability. There is no dramatic turning point, which makes it easy to assume that age is irrelevant. In reality, risk accumulates quietly over time.
This does not mean that older men cannot conceive. Many do. But as age advances, protecting and preserving sperm quality becomes increasingly relevant. Age is one factor among many, yet it shapes timing and preparation in ways that are often underestimated.
Myth #3: Lifestyle Only Matters If Something Is Wrong
Another common belief is that lifestyle changes only become relevant once a problem has been identified. If test results appear acceptable and no diagnosis has been made, it can feel reasonable to delay adjustments.
The difficulty with this approach is that most lifestyle factors influence sperm quality gradually, not suddenly. Sleep patterns, alcohol intake, metabolic health, body composition, heat exposure, and environmental factors all shape the environment in which sperm develop. These influences accumulate over time, often before abnormalities become obvious on paper.
Dietary patterns and metabolic health, in particular, have been associated with measurable differences in semen parameters in observational research. By the time a clear issue appears, the biological groundwork may have been suboptimal for months.
In fertility, timing is critical. Lifestyle interventions are often most effective when applied early and consistently, rather than reactively once problems become pronounced.
Myth #4: IVF or ICSI Bypasses Male Factors Anyway
Once assisted reproductive treatment enters the picture, another assumption often emerges: that technology will compensate for any male-related issues. IVF and ICSI are powerful tools, and they can overcome mechanical barriers to fertilisation. They significantly improve the chances of sperm reaching and penetrating the egg.
What they do not do is replace biology. Sperm still contributes half of the embryo’s genetic material. DNA integrity continues to influence embryo development and pregnancy outcomes. While treatment can assist fertilisation, it does not alter the underlying quality of the genetic material being delivered.
The strongest outcomes tend to occur when biological preparation and medical technology are working together rather than when one is expected to compensate for the other.
The Belief Underneath It All
Underneath many of these myths lies a quieter assumption—that men have little meaningful influence over fertility outcomes. Given how fertility is often discussed, this belief is understandable. Outcomes can feel uncertain, and much of the focus traditionally centres on female factors.
However, influence and control are not the same thing. Men do not control whether conception happens, and fertility is inherently complex. What men can influence is risk. They can influence timing, preparation, metabolic health, and the biological environment in which sperm develop.
None of this guarantees an outcome. But it changes the odds and improves readiness when important decisions arise. That shift—from passive waiting to deliberate preparation—can be meaningful.
A More Useful Framework
Rather than asking, “Is everything normal?” a more constructive question might be, “Is everything optimised for the next 12 weeks?” Instead of assuming IVF will resolve underlying biological factors, it is worth asking, “What can I influence now that may strengthen the foundation?”
Fertility care is strongest when it is proactive rather than reactive. Challenging common misconceptions is often the first step in that process.
If a semen analysis has come back “normal” but questions remain, or if IVF is planned and you want clarity around preparation, a structured Sperm Health Assessment can help identify what’s worth adjusting — and what isn’t.
Henkel R, Hajimohammad M, Stalf T, et al. Influence of DNA damage on fertilization and pregnancy. Fertil Steril. 2004;81(4):965–972.
Agarwal A, Baskaran S, Parekh N, et al. Male infertility. Lancet. 2021;397(10271):319–333.
Salas-Huetos A, Bulló M, Salas-Salvadó J, et al. Dietary patterns and male fertility parameters: systematic review. Hum Reprod Update. 2018;24(1):100–120.