The most unbalanced sentence in fertility starts with:
“If a woman can’t get pregnant…”
That’s it. That’s the whole problem.
It puts the weight (and guilt) squarely on her shoulders–as if fertility were something women carry alone.
But let’s talk history for a sec. King Henry VIII had six wives, countless mistresses, only four surviving children, and a legacy of blaming women for everything. Given he was the common denominator between all those women, it’s pretty clear he was, in fact, one of the first well-documented cases of male-factor infertility. Further validated when MIT researchers in 2021 suggested his lifestyle (obesity, alcohol, diet, and possible genetic issues) likely were the cause of his male-factor infertility.
Yet centuries later, the myth persists: if conception isn’t happening, it must be “her fault.”
Spoiler alert: it’s not that simple.
1. “It’s Probably Her…”
MYTH. Roughly one-third of fertility challenges are due to male factors, one-third female, and one-third a combination of both.
That means in about half of all cases, sperm health plays a role.
So if you’re in this together, you’re really in this together. The best next step? Testing–for both partners.
2. “If I Finish, I’m Fertile”
MYTH. Producing a sample doesn’t mean it’s healthy.
For millennia, it was assumed that male infertility boiled down to injury, deformity, erectile dysfunction, or performance anxiety. But sperm have to survive and thrive once they’re on their own, and a lot of invisible factors can weaken their chances.
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Varicocele, or swollen veins in the scrotum, can cause chronic low testosterone and sperm counts, resulting in 40% of all male infertility cases.
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Hormonal imbalances like Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) can impact sperm count and quality.
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Genetic disorders like Klinefelter syndrome, spermatogenesis, and cystic fibrosis are just a handful of common genetic issues impacting sperm quality.
That’s why it’s important to get yourself checked out by a doctor.
3. “It Doesn’t Matter if She Does, Right?”
MYTH. And it’s not just about intercourse.
Many women don’t orgasm during sex, and 10-15% never do. There’s also no proven correlation between vaginal orgasms and increased fertility.
But there are some interesting facts worth considering on this topic:
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Female ejaculate released during orgasm is shown to increase sperm motility… if the environment is prepared in advance. (No, it’s not squirting.)
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Good sex can boost your immune system, leading to better sexual health.
Of course, this is a relatively new area of study, so feel free to conduct a lot of research and experimentation.
4. “Hot Balls Kill Sperm”
FACT. But don’t freak out.
Sperm thrive in temperatures 2–4°F cooler than body temp. Each 1-degree increase can lower motility by about 14%.
Studies across countries like Iran, Italy, Thailand, China, and Egypt suggest that hot climates correlate with lower sperm count and concentration. So yes, global warming might literally be bad for balls.
But don’t panic about laptops, boxers vs. briefs, or air conditioning. The real culprit? Prolonged heat–like daily saunas, hot tubs, and even heated car seats. Maybe skip those for now.
MYTH. Volume ≠ viability.
A high volume of ejaculate doesn’t necessarily mean it’s rich in sperm or that the sperm are strong swimmers. But you also need enough to give the boys room to swim. A bunch of guys in a pool is fine, but a hot tub is way too crowded.
The only real way to know is through a semen analysis–a simple, quick, and often revealing test.
6. “You Have to Save It Up”
MYTH. There’s no need to “store” sperm for better results.
In fact, frequent ejaculation helps clear out older, less mobile sperm and keeps things, well… refreshed.
Some research suggests that sperm quality peaks 2–3 days after the last ejaculation, while other studies show daily ejaculation can be just as effective. The bottom line: an egg is viable for 24 hours, and that’s when you want the most sperm in the best shape.
7. “Men Stay Fertile Forever”
MYTH. While men can technically produce sperm for life, quality declines with age.
After 35, sperm motility, morphology, and DNA integrity begin to drop and that decline accelerates after 40.
In other words, men have a biological clock too.
8. “Men Don’t Need Reproductive Health Checkups”
MYTH. Reproductive health is whole-body health. Lower sperm quality has been directly linked to higher risks of chronic illness and even shorter lifespan.
If you haven’t had a reproductive checkup, consider it part of your routine wellness care–just like blood pressure or cholesterol. It’s not just about making babies; it’s about making sure you’re okay, too.
The Real Talk
Male fertility myths have done a number on everyone–women, men, and anyone trying to conceive. They’ve created shame where there should be partnership, silence where there should be support.
So let’s rewrite the script:
It’s not her issue. It’s not his issue. It’s our fertility health–and it deserves equal attention, compassion, and care.
In summary:
Don’t be a dick. Get your balls checked.
