Is a mother's instinct innate while fathers have to learn? Evolutionary anthropologist Dr. Anna Machin joins us to debunk this myth and dive deep into the fascinating science behind fatherhood.

In this episode, Dr. Machin reveals:

The Myth of Maternal Instinct: Both men and women undergo significant hormonal and brain changes to prepare for parenthood. Men do have parenting instincts – trust them!

The Fatherhood Transition: While it might take dads longer to settle into their role (around 18 months vs. 9 for moms), this could be due to societal factors and lack of opportunity, not innate ability.

Evolutionary Role: Human fathers are rare in the mammal world! Learn why dads evolved and their crucial role, especially during the toddler years.

Dads Aren't Male Mums: Fathers parent differently, offering unique inputs like challenging play, which is vital for child development and building strong attachments.

Prenatal Bonding: It's crucial for dads to bond before birth. Dr. Machin shares practical ways like talking/singing to the bump, feeling kicks, and even interacting during scans.

The Need for Support: We discuss the critical lack of support for men transitioning into fatherhood and the need for healthcare systems and society to recognize dads as equal co-parents.

Dr. Machin emphasises that being a dad isn't just about biology; it's about stepping up and doing the job. Fathers are uniquely important and instinctively equipped for the role.

Connect with Dr. Anna Machin:

Website: annamachin.com

Instagram: @dr_amachin

Book: "The Life of Dad: The Making of the Modern Father" (Available in bookshops and online retailers)

Have questions or experiences about your fatherhood or Fertility journey? Share them with us!

Contact Us:

📧 Email: themalefertilitypodcast@gmail.com

📷 Instagram: @themalefertilitypodcast

📖 Web: nexysfertility.com

Don't forget to like, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts!

DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider.

We're back for Season 4 of The Male Fertility Podcast, and what better way to kick off than with a special episode for Testicular Cancer Awareness Month? This time, we're joined by two brilliant guests: former professional footballer Henri Lansbury and fertility expert Professor Allan Pacey.

Henri shares his powerful personal story, from discovering a lump by accident to the whirlwind journey of diagnosis and surgery. His honesty about the fear, waiting game, and emotional aftermath will strike a chord with so many of you. Prof. Allan brings his wealth of medical knowledge, reminding us why early detection is everything and why checking yourself regularly is vital.

We also announced something very close to our hearts: the launch of NeXYs Fertility, a safe, anonymous community space for men navigating fertility challenges.

It's the platform we always wished existed when we started our own fertility journeys, and now it's here for you. We're dedicated to normalising conversations about men's health and breaking the stigma around masculinity and asking for help.

Have you or someone you know been impacted by testicular cancer or fertility challenges? We'd love to hear your story—drop us a message.

Contact Us:

📧 Email: themalefertilitypodcast@gmail.com

📷Instagram: @themalefertilitypodcast

📖 Web: nexysfertility.com

📺 YouTube: Watch Here

Don't forget to like, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts. Your feedback helps us grow and support more men!

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

In this powerful series finale, Shaun and Ciaran are joined by Frank Fallon to discuss his journey through male factor infertility, successful ICSI treatment, and what life looks like after.

Frank and his wife faced male factor infertility before achieving success on their first round of ICSI. Determined to understand his diagnosis, Frank pursued additional NHS tests, which ultimately revealed an abnormal varicocele. Despite the NHS declining further testing, Frank improved his fertility health through dietary changes and supplements like Impryl, eventually achieving results in the healthy range.

Frank shares his experience on the M&M show, an Instagram live series on male infertility, which he joined after connecting with the host through a comedy sketch inspired by his semen analysis journey.

In This Episode:

• Navigating guilt after a successful pregnancy — is it selfish to want another child?
• The mental toll of fertility struggles and knowing when to step away.
• The need for better guidance and resources for men facing infertility.

Tune in for an honest and insightful conversation about fertility, family, and moving forward.

Follow Our Sponsors:

This series is proudly sponsored by @exseedhealth, trailblazers in male fertility testing. Ease the stress with their at-home sperm test, offering a convenient and reliable way to check sperm health without clinic visits. Use code MFP15 for an exclusive 15% off their range. Take control of your fertility journey with ExSeed Health.

It is also sponsored by Fertility Family, who provide Impryl, the unique supplement for conception which is recommended by fertility specialists for both men and women. Impryl is made from activated micronutrients which have been clinically proven to significantly improve live birth rates for men and women. Use code MF10 for a discount exclusive to our listeners.

Where You Can Find Us:

• Follow The Male Fertility Podcast on Instagram: @themalefertilitypodcast
• Follow Ciaran Hannington on Instagram: @themalefertilitypt
• Follow Shaun Greenaway on Instagram: @knackered_knackers
• Subscribe to The Male Fertility Podcast on YouTube: The Male Fertility Podcast - YouTube

Navigating Male Fertility Topics:

As we explore different facets of the male fertility journey, we want our content to be easily discoverable for those searching for information. If you're seeking topics related to "male infertility," subscribe and follow on your preferred podcast platform. We're here to provide insights, experiences, and support, ensuring you don't miss any valuable discussions on male fertility.