Semen quality is not about masculinity. Unfortunately, a lot of men struggle with low semen quality these days. So, what can we do to help improve semen quality naturally?

In addition to vitamins and minerals, there are many other substances that have fertility promoting effects. Some of them include fenugreek seeds; tribulus terrestris, which increases semen viability; astaxanthin; Indian ginseng, also known as Ashwagandh;, aloe vera; royal jelly; cinnamon; green tea; red wine; brown beer; or dark chocolate. I am testing the last three, however, strictly in the recommended quantities. I strongly believe in them!

When it comes to male fertility, we talk about a lot of things that we need to give up, such as cigarettes, alcohol, or caffeine, and that we need to develop a healthy relationship with physical activity. We also have to consider lifestyle changes that are not easy to make for everyone. But what about changing our diet and choosing the right foods? We can find plenty of articles about nutrition and how it affects male fertility. It is easy to get lost in the abundance of information, and find out which suggestions have scientific proof to support it.

Simply put, sperm develops and matures within three months. With certain lifestyle changes, we can often achieve improvements to semen quality. However, it must be emphasized that these changes can improve semen quality, but that does not guarantee that a couple's fertility will increase, too. There are many parameters evaluated in the spermiogram, among others: the sperm count, the sperm shape, and the sperm motility. Another essential factor for healthy sperm is the energy to achieve their goal.

The good news is that there are plenty of simple things we can do to help improve our fertility health. So what can we do?

Drink plenty of plain water every day - at least 2 liters. I filled up a one-liter bottle with water and kept it with me at all times. I drank the first bottle before 11am, the second bottle by 3pm, and the last one before 7pm. It was a struggle in the beginning, but I got used to it in just one week and was able to keep up my good habit.

To positively influence semen quality, I also started making changes to my diet. The only recommendation that can currently be made to the general male population is to adhere to a healthy dietary pattern rich in plant-based foods such as in a Mediterranean diet; to reduce dairy consumption; and to give up processed foods (including salami and sausages, which I love). However, the good news is that one can eat a lot of seafood and fish due to their high content of omega-3 fatty acids.

A balanced diet is one of the most important factors for a healthy lifestyle. Extreme diets should be avoided; both low carb and high protein diets can hurt the semen quality - right now is not the time to go to any extremes!

Research has shown that free radicals may cause a decrease in semen quality, so the consumption of antioxidants, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, coenzyme Q-10, or L-carnitine, may help as well. The optimal intake of the following vitamins and minerals is the key to semen quality improvement:

• Zinc: the “fertility mineral”. It is one of the cornerstones of male fertility because it raises semen concentration, motility and testosterone levels. Natural sources include seafood, beef, lamb, chicken, nuts, legumes
• Selenium: an antioxidant that can improve semen concentration and motility. Natural sources include meat, sea fish, spinach, cabbage, mushrooms, beans, tomatoes, whole grains.
• Omega-3: essential fatty acids. They help with semen concentration, count, motility and improve its morphology. Natural Source include fish, shellfish.
• Vitamin C: an antioxidant. It improves almost all semen parameters. Natural sources include cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, parsley, paprika, radish, spinach, papaya, citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, black currant.
• B-9: Folate, the natural form of B9, also called folic acid in a synthetic form, promotes semen production, and is essential for DNA synthesis. Natural sources include legumes, eggs, nuts, green leafy vegetables, and ginger.
• B-12: Natural sources include beef, chicken, liver, salmon, tuna, eggs, seeds, cracklings, bananas.
• Vitamin E: an antioxidant. Natural sources include almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, green leafy vegetables, vegetable oils, and avocado.
• Calcium: Natural sources include salmon, chia seeds, sardines, almonds, dark leafy vegetables, dried figs, oatmeal.

We can choose between natural sources that contain these minerals and vitamins but where exact quantities are unknown. Or we can opt for vitamin and mineral supplements that we can regularly consume in individual recommended quantities. Whichever route you choose, it's always a good idea to consult with your physician or fertility specialist to decide upon the right kinds and amounts. To make my (and my wife’s) life easier, I made a list of cooking ingredients to boost fertility and I tried to integrate as many of them into my daily diet as possible.

It’s time to take our part of the fertility journey: let’s boost the little guys.

There are very few men left on the planet who don't need any help to boost their fertility. I am not one of them, so I decided to do as much as possible to improve my sperms’ health. I am going to have very little to do during our IVF program compared to my wife, so this is the least I can do to increase our chance of success.

"With any positive changes, we can do a lot to consciously improve our fertility."

Let’s continue to learn more factors which can affect the health of our sperms and male fertility.

1. Ideal weight: Both too much and too little fat have a negative effect on hormone production, and sperm health and count. Moreover, in overweight men, fat pads warm the testicles, and as we learned, sperms don’t like heat. Weight is something that we cannot change overnight. Making a significant and healthy change on it, can take months (sometimes even years). Losing or gaining weight should be part of a well-planned preparation. I have 4-5kg extra weight on me, and it is impossible to lose (in a healthy way) in 4 weeks (at least for me).

1. Caffeine: The most popular stimulant. That's how I start the day every morning. But keep in mind that energy drinks and cola also contain caffeine. Funnily caffeine can be a double-sharp weapon. In a small amount it stimulates sperm production in small amounts. Great news! However, in larger quantities, it can be one of the causes of sperm deterioration, and also can reduce its quantity. Another important fact that is important to remember, that beverages that contain caffeine, have diuretic effects and may cause dehydration, which is not good at all when we try to conceive. I am a coffee lover but fortunately I am not a big fan of energy and soft drinks. So, it will be easy for me to be a good boy on this.

1. Exercise: Sport is one of the best things in the world if you do it within normal limits. It relieves tension (so you can reduce stress), creates good conditions, and makes you balanced. It can help you reach your ideal weight as well. But you don't want to be Schwarzenegger for now. Do not touch anabolic steroids, muscle and weight gainers. Firstly, your testicle can get smaller (you will look stupid), secondly, you can even reset your sperm count with them.

1. Toxins: Unfortunately, improper nutrition already delivers a lot of toxins into our bodies. We can come into contact with many toxins at work and home (solvents, cleaners, pesticides) as well. Try to avoid them if it is not possible, or at least use appropriate protective equipment.

Obviously, there are many things listed above that are difficult to change. These are just some important factors – at least - to be aware of. With any positive changes we can do a lot to consciously improve our fertility. And if we were “accidentally” keeping these lifestyle changes for the long term and living healthier by the way, we could hold not only our own child, but hopefully even our grandchildren in our hands. Is it enough motivation? Is there more motivation than that?

How you can improve sperm quality and quantity with some changes in your daily life and habits. Beware, you might notice positive changes in other areas of your life as well.

If you are like me, you never really paid attention to your sperms (I mean in a scientific way). It completely changed when I received my sperm analysis result, and it’s not too great a number. I felt like it’s time to learn more about them (especially when it comes to their parameters).

"Studies show that a smoker has 15% less sperms compared to a non-smoker, and more lazy sperms with abnormal shape."

I read about many factors which can cause sperms with abnormal shape, not enough quantity or pure concentration. BUT I also learned that actually there are many things that I can do, and make improvements on these parameters. These are mainly lifestyle changes, and most of them don't cost too much, I just need to pay a bit more attention and be willing to change.

1. Smoking: I was a heavy smoker for 15 years, but I quit 15 years ago though. I know exactly how hard quitting is. (This is not the easiest lifestyle change, I know, but I wanted to start with the most difficult one.) BUT you have to know smoking has a huge negative impact on the quality and quantity of your sperms. The problem is mainly caused by the nicotine (so electric cigarettes are not really an option either). Studies show that a smoker has 15% less sperms compared to a non-smoker, and more lazy sperms with abnormal shape. SMOKING + ABNORMAL SHAPE + LAZY SPERM = NOT IDEAL!
2. Alcohol: At this point I started to be worried a bit (I love red wine). Actually, I don’t have to be abstinent (a big release!), I just have to be careful with the quantity. 2-3 glasses of wine or beer weekly won’t do a huge harm on my sperms. A bigger dosage of alcohol would lower the chances of my boys, because they can have an abnormal shape and a smaller army in numbers. It sounds doable to me.
3. Drugs: I cannot share any personal experience about this point, but what I learn for sure: they don’t do any good for our hormones. They can reduce our testosterone level, have a negative effect on the shape of sperm, and the sperms go nuts (as you do) if you are on drugs (I don’t know what does it mean exactly, they might move too fast?).
4. Heat: It never even would cross my mind. Using my laptop on my laps, or enjoying the comfort of the seat heating in the car actually can overheat my sperms. They don’t need too much heat as they are super sensitive. If they get some extra, unwanted heat on their outer layer, it’s enough for them to die. Riding a bicycle, spending time in a sauna can also cause extra heat. It is also better to switch from hot baths to showers for the health of our sperms. I think here I am going to face some difficulties (laptop usage, love of hot baths and bicycling).
5. Stress: I know, it’s easy to say, do not stress these days. At least be aware that too much stress has a huge negative impact on every area of your life. Speaking about sperms: it decreases the concentration, makes them lazy, and will affect the shape as well. So, just take it easy!

There are still a few possible lifestyle changes I would like to share with you in my next articles, but I find it easier to take these changes step by step.

More and more men are affected by fertility problems. Why is this topic not spoken more about?

To make it short, on the second consultation, we got the green light from the doctor to go for IVF, as our only one chance of having a baby. Actually, the plan was that in a week or so, we will start our fertility treatment.

"It never crossed my mind before how much I can do to improve my reproductive health. To be honest, it did not cross my mind either that I have to do anything for it."

As you could read in my previous article, I am going to face our first IVF cycle with my ‘not too tragic’ but ‘not great at all’ semen analysis result. After the stage of ‘Unbelievable’, I entered the phase of ‘Acceptance’, then I started to think about how I can improve my result.

I dived into the world of ART (Artificial Reproductive Treatments), and came across my new favorite word: fertility awareness. We hear about many different awareness and consciousness, but the term ‘fertility awareness’ was completely new for me. It never crossed my mind before how much I can do to improve my reproductive health. To be honest, it did not cross my mind either that I have to do anything for it.

Fortunately, the sperm production is continuous in our body, and takes approximately 3 months to create a completely new army. It means that with some changes in our diet, lifestyle, and habits, we can do a lot for sperm who will be formed in the future. Of course, this cannot happen overnight. It takes about 3 months to notice significant improvement on the result.

Unfortunately, in my case, I had too little information about this topic, and too little time left for big improvement or to correct my bad result. But, of course, it didn’t discourage me to start some changes, because – I believe - every journey starts with one step.

It would be great if this information wouldn’t reach only those couples who are already participating in IVF programs. It’s scary to read that there’s a tendency for men’s fertility to deteriorate from decade to decade, and moreover, typically, men don’t like to test and face it. How much easier it would be to avoid a lot of setbacks, stress and sometimes relationship problems that come with fertility failures. Fertility awareness is all about avoiding these above.

Edit: Our IVF cycle is postponed, because a little miracle happened. Who knows how, but we were able to conceive naturally. We had a chemical pregnancy, meaning that one of my sperm was able to fertilize an egg naturally, but unfortunately the implantation was not successful. This is proof: we can do it! ☺ We have to wait a month to start our fertility treatment, which also means that I gained an extra month to improve (even a bit) my sperm condition.

How I learned that sperm analysis isn’t about getting a certificate about my fertility superbness, but showing me there’s room for improvement.

On the next consultation with our doctor, unfortunately it became official, which was only my guess until then: the result of my semen analysis is – let’s say - not ’the best’. The doctor pronounced it clearly: I am involved in our fertility journey as much as my wife is. I am the other 50% in the formula, and the reason why IVF is our only way of having a child together. It didn’t break me, but it was not a comfortable feeling either. I needed some time to digest the situation. I read a few studies about the fact that male fertility has become a bigger problem these days than female fertility. Most of the studies say that minimum 30% (some of them say up to 50%) of infertility problems come from the male side. Studies also show that men’s sperm count dropped, and the capability of fertilization decreased drastically (to its half) over the last few decades in Europe. It surprises me, because if it’s really such a big, common problem, why don't we speak / know more about this?! Knowing that I am definitely not alone with this problem helps me put my mind to ease but it still bugs my ego.

Anyway, let's see what a sperm analysis is about, and my result?

"Most of the studies say that minimum 30% (some of them say up to 50%) of infertility problems come from the male side."

1. During the test, they measure the volume of the semen. The normal parameter is 1.5-6 ml (I had 5 ml, so I was OK with this part). This factor is important to show us how big our army will be to start with.
2. They also check on its pH. The ideal value is 7.2 (slightly alkaline), but it is considered normal between 7.2-7.8. (Mine was 8.)
3. They also check on the motility of the sperms, which is significant because they have to take a long way to reach their goal. If we calculate from the total sperm count, at least half of the little fighters should have good movement. In my case, the progressive motility (when the sperms move in a straight line along a large-arc circle) was 50% (this is ideal). My non-progressive motility value (when sperm moves along a small-arc circle) was 5%. 50% + 5% = 55% in total (which is ok!). I’ve never been a great dancer, but at least my spears are moving well.
4. Sperm concentration and sperm count are also determined. Sperm concentration shows how many sperm are present in 1 ml of semen, and sperm count shows the total number in the whole ejaculation. These indicators are changing so mournfully, that an acceptable normal minimum value is no longer even set. The WHO (World Health Organization) has recently given the normal values at 15 million / ml and 39 million / sample. I had 10 million / ml and 50 million / ejaculation, which are not particularly good values.
5. They also examine the morphology of the sperms (if the sperm head is in the right shape or size). The sperm head, for example, plays an important role in breaking through the egg wall to be able to fertilize it. According to the WHO numbers, at least 4% of the sperms should be in formal order (unfortunately, this was only 2% for me). Interestingly, I also came across a study that showed that 29% of men with 0% normal-shaped sperm were able to fertilize an egg in the natural way (not with IVF). So, sperms with abnormal head shape doesn’t mean that there’s any genetic problem with them.

The official diagnosis of seeing all my numbers together was: oligo-teratozoospermia. Meaning I have reduced sperm count and low sperm motility.

However, there is a significant advantage for men over women. While the number of eggs is given at birth, and from then this number decreases and then runs out, in men the sperms are renewed cyclically. The process of sperm formation (spermatogenesis) takes 74 days. (Because we cannot know which part of this cycle we are in, it is better to calculate with 3 months). Meaning: in most cases, men have a chance to improve their ‘sperm situation’ in three months.

A normal reaction of a healthy man: Is everything fine with me or not?

As I mentioned before, our IVF specialist didn’t give me too many things to do. The doctor gave me referrals for a blood test and the semen analysis. Two tests only, which compared to my wife’s list, was nothing.

"I won’t lie: the result hit me hard, and it was almost unbelievable for me."

Blood tests are needed for men to know if they don’t have any infectious diseases, such as HIV, hepatitis, HPV, syphilis, etc. It’s just a normal blood test, easy, nothing to worry about.

I didn’t make a big deal about the sperm test either. I knew that everything was fine with me. My confidence was based on a very strong fact. At the age of 47, I am a father to three amazing, healthy, smart, beautiful girls. I don’t need better evidence, that I am the masterpiece of creation. I couldn't see why I could not do what I have done 23, 19 and 10 years ago. (Of course, it did not even cross my mind that many years passed.) So, I was absolutely ready for testing.

The semen or sperm analysis needed a bit of preparation. The instruction was “3-7 days abstinence”. Doing a bit research, I found that not having sex for 4-5 days can bring us the best result (if you keep the guys inside longer or shorter it can affect negatively the result). Cheating is not allowed either (you know what I mean, when no one can see you). You have to remember these rules when giving the sample for the fertilization later as well.

My wife asked me to drink plenty of water for one week prior to the test. We all know drinking enough water is essential to keep our organs, and cells functioning properly. So, it makes sense that it has the same effect on our reproductive cells: the sperms. Semen production can be reduced by not drinking enough water and causing dehydration; the semen can get thicker, and the sperms may have trouble swimming. I increased my water intake to 3 liters per day.

The day the big test arrived. I proudly produced the sample for the semen analysis as the doctor asked me to do, and I was waiting for the result without any fear or worry.

The next day I received my result via email. My numbers were not exactly what I hoped for. I jumped on my laptop, hoping that my best friend Google would help me out and I would find written evidence that my numbers might not be great but at least acceptable. “Every man kindles the fire below his own pot”, so do I. I started to create my own explanations: it’s not even so bad, it's just ‘sometimes’ a bit different than the normal numbers. The room at the Clinic was not the most ideal environment for this kind of activity either, and it must have had an effect on the result as well. If you would have been there, you would know what I mean…

I won’t lie: the result hit me hard, and it was almost unbelievable for me. On one hand, I tried to accept it, but on the other hand, I really hoped the doctor would tell me that my result is not as bad as it looks.

This was the day when the world of IVF grabbed me. I still tried to believe that everything is fine with me, and that the doctor would tell me something that can put my ego back into the ‘masterpiece of creation’ stage. But deep down, I knew that it is not only about ‘my wife’s issue’ anymore, but about mine as well. This was one more thing that would make us stronger.

One thing you should know from the beginning, is how much your wife is going to do for your future baby.

We decided who is going to be our fertility specialist. We considered a few factors, but I think it’s pretty normal that the final decision was my wife’s. We chose a specialist who was recommended by her gynaecologist. After the first consultation with him, it was obvious that the treatment would be heavier on my wife, than on me. I was asked to take two tests only: a blood work, and the famous semen analysis, which compared to my wife’s list, was nothing. I think the best way to use my time and energy is to support her, and be there for her if she needs me.

"She was in so much pain from the pressure on her blocked tubes, that I could hear her yelling at the waiting room. "

It was evident that, if she wants, I am going to accompany her to all the appointments she has to go to. This is a real couple-goal. I want her to feel that we are doing this together. Support is always a good way to show you care, even if most of the time I cannot do anything else then just sit in the waiting room, and drive to and back home from the clinic.

So, today I was a driver again, and took her to the gynaecologist for HyCoSy. The doctor ordered her to take a new fallopian tube examination. Depending on this exam, we will know if we should/can go for IUI (intra-uterine insemination) or IVF. Fallopian tubes and their function is important because they lead the eggs to the womb, and it is also the place where the big meeting with the sperm happens. If the fallopian tubes are blocked, it’s impossible, and also can cause further complications.

Of course, I wanted to know a little bit more about this exam. The procedure is not too complicated. The doctor is going to inject some contrast fluid into the womb, and check by ultrasound the fluid's path journey. If the ultrasound can show the fluid passing through the tubes, it means the fallopians are clear, if not, it means they are blocked. If the tubes function well, the examination process is almost painless (they say), but if they don’t it can be painful. So, I am really worried for her, as our last information is that both her tubes are blocked.

Based on my research, I found something which gave some hope. It can happen during the examination process that from the pressure of the liquid the fallopian tubes become unblocked. Actually, one of my friends got pregnant right after HyCoSy, never before and never since then. Understandably, I had mixed feelings about the appointment.

To make it short: my wife is a superhero. She was in so much pain from the pressure on her blocked tubes, that I could hear her yelling at the waiting room. The good news: that the pain didn’t last, so she was completely fine when we left the clinic. The bad news: both of her tubes are completely blocked, so it’s more likely that our only one way of having a child is going for IVF.

What basic steps you will face during IVF.

After I had to omit my first plan – solving our problem in house, ‘in vivo’ instead of ‘in vitro’ – failed, and acknowledged that we are going to need medical help, I started to learn about IVF treatments. I think all of us have some idea about what it is. Everyone has a friend, family member, or a colleague who has some experience in this field (but it’s true, it isn’t something we would discuss over a beer). These days it’s also common to hear about celebrities undergoing fertility treatments as well. Meaning: IVF became an accepted way of making a baby. Even though everyone prefers to have a child in the normal (and much more fun) way, unfortunately it’s not as easy for everyone.

"Everyone has a friend, family member, or a colleague who has some experience in this field (but it’s true, it isn’t something we would discuss over a beer). "

So, here are the basics which (even) a man should know about fertility & IVF.

1. Hopefully everyone knows how to conceive naturally. In the middle of the woman’s menstruation cycle, her ovary releases an egg. The egg (also called ovum) starts to travel through the fallopian tube in the direction of the womb. During this trip the egg meets the sperm, and if they meet at the right time and like each other, the magic might happen. The fertilized egg continues its journey to the womb, where it develops into an embryo and is going to implant into the uterus lining. BOOM! Simple as 1x1.

But ‘in vitro’ it’s not as simple:

1. The IVF treatment is going to start the 2nd day of your partner’s period, and actually everything will be scheduled around her menstrual cycle.
2. In a normal month (without IVF) a woman releases only 1 egg per cycle. In IVF we need more eggs. This is possible with hormone stimulation, that’s why your partner is going to need the hormone injections. Be very proud of her, because we all know how a man can react to pain.
3. The stimulation process is controlled by the doctor regularly (it’s not lucky to have under- or overstimulation either). The doctor checks on the follicles with an ultrasound test. The stimulation phase takes approximately 10-12 days, depending on how her body reacts to the hormones.
4. When the follicles look matured enough, your partner has to go under a minor surgery. It’s called egg retrieval, or egg collection. The doctor is going to poke all the follicles and collect the eggs from all of them. This is a very low risk surgery, so nothing to worry about, but again: it won’t be performed on you, so be supportive!
5. At the same time of the egg collection, your major, and only one job is due as well: sperm collection.
6. From here, there are two different ways to go:

• The embryologist will let some of the sperms meet the eggs freely. This is approximately the same as it would happen ‘in vivo’. Or
• The embryologist will choose the best-looking sperm and help him enter the egg. It usually happens if there are not too many eggs or sperms available.

1. After this, the lab keeps the fertilized eggs in an incubator for 3-5 days, depending on their development. Unfortunately, not all embryos are going to make it until Day5. It’s normal.
2. Depending on the embryo-development, your doctor is going to decide the best time for embryo transfer. You are also going to have a consultation about the optimal number of transferred embryos. This is a quick and absolutely painless procedure. The doctor is going to put back the embryo(s) into your partner’s womb.
3. If you are lucky to have more embryos than needed for the transfer, the remaining quantity can be frozen, and used later. It's great news, because if you have to go for more IVF cycles, your partner doesn’t have to do hormone stimulation and egg retrieval again.
4. After the transfer you have to wait approximately two weeks to know if you have succeeded.

This is the IVF process in a nutshell, but I somehow have the feeling that it won’t be as simple as it sounds, but we will see.

When I found out that my (future) wife had a fertility issue, and how I felt about it.

Maybe you’ve heard this sentence already: ‘“My wife cannot get pregnant naturally”. I think this sentence should be corrected to: ‘“My partner and I cannot conceive naturally”. It’s not only a more considerate and emphatic way to word it, but in many cases this is much closer to the reality.

"It’s only a ‘macho misbelief’ that infertility is a female issue, and that men cannot be infertile. "

One of the most common and natural processes, in a relationship with a strong emotional bond, is to decide to form a union or partnership together. For most people, having children together is a very evident next step too. Sooner or later, the discussions about expanding the family will become a normal topic and plans will be formulated and tested.

Well, in our case it was a bit different.

I am not 100% sure if we started to speak about the ‘child-topic’ on our first (almost a day long) date, but I am sure that it was an open-topic since the very beginning. My wife was really honest about the fact that she really wanted to have children, but based on some medical exams, she won’t be able to conceive the normal way. It’s never easy to start, and build up a new relationship, and understandably, it was a very important point for her, which she wanted to clarify right at the beginning.

To be honest, I had absolutely neutral feelings about IVF. I didn’t have any negative or positive feelings towards it. In my mind, IVF was a protocol, which solves a problem. It didn’t cross my mind for a second that I might not accept it.

My reaction was absolutely positive and supportive. I was open minded for this alternative life-solution. Firstly, because it was evident to me, if we choose each other, I would like to conceive a child with my love, and secondly, it was not an extra weight on our relationship, but a problem which we have to solve. It was even inspirational and motivational.

My first – which I consider absolutely normal – reaction was (even though she thought that IVF was the only way) that we would resolve this problem naturally without running to the IVF clinic. I thought I could solve this problem.

My confidence was based on a very strong fact. At the age of 47, I was a father of three amazing, healthy, smart, beautiful girls. I didn’t need better evidence that I am able to perform and create offspring. I couldn’t see why I would not be able to perform once again, what I have done 23, 19 and 10 years ago. Of course, it did not even cross my mind that since then many years had passed. Many years with lots of challenges, stress, problems, not to speak about some – not too smart - lifestyle choices, that had left their marks on my overall health and physical condition.

We tried to conceive naturally every month. I’m not saying that we tried everything that we could. We did not check my wife’s basal temperature every morning, we did not create excel sheets with our ‘fertility window’, we did not check the phases of the Moon either. We just did it naturally with love, hoping that somehow there would be someone who would choose us as parents.

After trying for a year, I had to admit that my wife was right (as always ☺ ), and it might be time to see a fertility specialist. I was never worried about going for IVF, I was just hoping that we could do it naturally.

One thing I am absolutely sure of, if you and your partner desire to have children together, and it turns out that it may not be as easy and smooth as you thought it would be, it’s your job, as a supporting partner, to be there for your wife or girlfriend during these turbulent times. Firstly, because this journey can be long, which can put extra weight on your relationship. Secondly, it’s only a ‘macho misbelief’ that infertility is a female issue, and that men cannot be infertile (or to think in just really rare cases, and that 100% it cannot be you). Stay open minded!

#testyourfertility #fertility #infertility #myivfjourney