Ciaran is co-host of The Male Fertility Podcast and a personal trainer with extensive experience in male fertility challenges. Having navigated his own fertility journey, including approximately £45,000 worth of NHS treatment and additional private costs, Ciaran brings both personal insight and professional expertise to help men understand the physical and emotional aspects of fertility struggles. His background in fitness and health allows him to provide practical advice on lifestyle factors that impact male fertility, while supporting men emotionally through his work with The Male Fertility Podcast and NeXYs Fertility, the world's first online community platform dedicated to supporting men during their own fertility challenges.

In this episode, Ciaran reveals:

Financial Reality Check: After roughly £45,000 worth of fertility treatment (mostly NHS-covered but still £5-6,000 out of pocket), Ciaran shares practical strategies including budgeting, researching cheaper medication suppliers, and using cinema cards for affordable date nights during financially tight periods.

Cannabis and Fertility Truth: Research shows marijuana reduces sperm concentration and motility whilst increasing abnormal sperm shape. The good news? There is evidence that these effects are reversible when you stop smoking, and GPs will support you without judgement.

Cycling Guidelines: Rather than complete avoidance, if cycling is a vital part of your life, Ciaran recommends limiting cycling to 30-45 minutes at moderate intensity (zone 2 training) twice weekly, using padded seats with ventilation, and wearing breathable shorts to reduce heat.

Male Age Factor: Unlike women, men don't face a fertility cliff, but evidences success rates do decline after 45. Living healthily - proper sleep, exercise, reduced alcohol, and stress management - can help maintain fertility longer.

Sperm Freezing Options: Men can freeze sperm through clinics or sperm banks via cryopreservation, providing insurance for future fertility needs or medical treatments.

Stress Management: High cortisol reduces testosterone, directly impacting fertility. Ciaran emphasises communicating with employers, planning stress-reducing activities, and acknowledging stress as the first step to managing it.

Ciaran explains that whilst these factors matter, the key is finding balance rather than perfection. Small, manageable changes in lifestyle and financial planning can make a significant difference without sacrificing mental health.

Connect with The Male Fertility Podcast:

Instagram: @themalefertilitypodcast

Email: themalefertilitypodcast@gmail.com

Web: nexysfertility.com

Have questions or experiences about your fertility journey?

Share them with us!

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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.

In this episode of The Male Fertility Podcast, GP and male health expert Dr Anand Patel joins hosts Ciaran and Shaun to discuss the shocking gaps in medical education around male fertility and why the current system is failing men.

In this episode, Dr Patel reveals:

The Training Crisis: How GPs receive virtually no education about male fertility, with 80% admitting they don't feel confident interpreting semen analysis and 90% unable to properly examine for varicoceles - despite male factors being involved in 50% of fertility cases.

The Demographic Disaster: With sperm counts dropping 50% in 50 years and the UK having the lowest birth rate in Europe, we're facing a potential demographic crisis similar to Korea's sociological meltdown, yet fertility remains low on the government agenda.

Testing Beyond the Basics: Why the standard GP guidance of "do a semen analysis, if it's abnormal do another one" is woefully inadequate, and the importance of hormone testing, DNA fragmentation analysis, and proper specialist referrals.

The Lifestyle Revolution: Dr Patel's key message that lifestyle changes trump supplements every time - from reducing coffee and alcohol to proper sleep, exercise, and maintaining relationship health during the fertility journey.

The Masculinity Crisis: How the shame of male infertility can be as devastating as a cancer diagnosis, why men defer to their partners in appointments, and the critical need for male-focused fertility support and therapy.

Dr Patel emphasises that small tweaks can lead to significant improvements in fertility outcomes, but the medical profession needs urgent reform in education and guidelines. His work training the next generation of GPs aims to ensure every generation is better equipped to support men through fertility challenges.

Have questions or experiences about your fertility journey?

Share them with 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.

In this episode of The Male Bag, Shaun tackles listener questions about the emotional and practical challenges of male fertility struggles, offering honest insights from his own three-year journey with azoospermia and donor conception.

In this episode, Shaun reveals:

Opening Up to Friends and Family: How starting small with "one person, one sentence" can break down the barriers to sharing your fertility struggles, and why Shaun waited three years before telling his mates.

Managing Daily Anxiety and Stress: Practical strategies including exercise as "active meditation," journaling apps like Day One, and the importance of routine and goal-setting during fertility treatment.

Being Heard in Medical Appointments: How to move from feeling invisible to being an active participant by doing research beforehand, taking notes during appointments, and reducing the burden on your partner.

Supporting Each Other as a Couple: The crucial role of communication, including Shaun's tip about walking together outdoors to create a safe space for difficult conversations without feeling like an "interview or interrogation."

Finding Joy Beyond Fertility: The importance of maintaining your identity and doing things that brought you happiness before fertility struggles took over your life.

Shaun emphasises that fertility struggles are a "phase process" where everyone moves at their own pace. His key message is that you're not a passenger in this journey - you deserve to be seen, heard, and supported throughout the process.

Have questions or experiences about your fertility journey?

Share them with 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.

In this episode of The Male Fertility Podcast, male fertility advocate Jonathan Luwagga joins hosts Ciaran and Shaun to share his deeply personal journey from childhood surgery to becoming a powerful voice for men facing fertility challenges, breaking cultural barriers and transforming shame into advocacy.

In this episode, Jonathan reveals:

The Hidden Impact of Childhood Conditions How his surgery for undescended testicles at age 14 unknowingly set the stage for his adult fertility struggles, highlighting the importance of long-term medical communication and follow-up care.

The Reality of Extensive Fertility Testing: Jonathan's experience with multiple invasive procedures including semen analyses, flexible and rigid cystoscopies, prostate MRI, and testicular ultrasounds, revealing testicles three times smaller than average.

The Emotional Toll of Male Fertility Struggles: From shame and isolation to relationship strain and stress-induced health problems, Jonathan openly discusses the mental health impact that's often overlooked in fertility treatment.

Breaking Cultural Barriers: How speaking about male fertility challenges in Ugandan culture, where "the blame is always on the woman," required immense courage and is slowly changing family attitudes and expectations.

Redefining Fatherhood and Masculinity: Jonathan's relationship with his partner's daughter taught him that being a father isn't just about biology - it's about presence, influence, and being a positive role model.

From Silence to Advocacy: How Jonathan transformed his personal struggles into workplace awareness sessions, helping other men understand the importance of fertility health and breaking the stigma around male reproductive issues.

The Power of Therapy and Support: Jonathan emphasises how professional mental health support helped him process his journey and find the courage to speak openly about his experiences.

Jonathan emphasises that men facing fertility challenges should "be honest with yourself and be gentle with yourself." His transformation from isolation to inspiration demonstrates how sharing our stories can create meaningful change not just for ourselves, but for entire communities and future generations.

Connect with Jonathan Luwagga:

Instagram: @jkluwagga

LinkedIn: Jonathan Luwagga

Have questions or experiences about your fertility journey?

Share them with us!

📧 Email: themalefertilitypodcast@gmail.com

📷 Instagram: @themalefertilitypodcast

📖 Web: nexysfertility.com

Raising Awareness on Two Wheels – London to Paris Charity Ride for Klinefelter’s Support Association https://www.ksa-uk.net/ (KS/XXY Support)

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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.

Host Ciaran answers your most pressing questions about male fertility in this special Male Bag episode. From when to get tested to dealing with the emotional impact of diagnosis, this episode provides honest, experience-based guidance for men navigating fertility challenges.

In this episode, Ciaran discusses:

• Why men should be proactive about fertility testing after a year of trying
• How to cope with feelings of inadequacy after a male factor diagnosis
• Whether past lifestyle choices cause fertility issues
• Overcoming the fear of discussing fertility emotions with your partner
• Practical tips for choosing the right fertility clinic

🕒 Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction to the Male Bag format

00:01:00 - When should men get tested?

00:04:00 - Dealing with feelings of shame after diagnosis

00:07:00 - Did past lifestyle choices cause fertility issues?

00:10:00 - How to talk to your partner about fertility emotions

00:15:00 - Choosing the right fertility clinic

Have questions about your fertility journey? Share them below!

Contact Us:

📧 Email: themalefertilitypodcast@gmail.com

📷 Instagram: @themalefertilitypodcast

🚹 Join our Community@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.

In this episode of The Male Fertility Podcast, psychosexual therapist Kate Moyle joins hosts Ciaran and Shaun to discuss the complex relationship between sex and fertility, addressing the often unspoken sexual side effects of fertility struggles.

In this episode, Kate reveals:

Men Do Seek Help: Contrary to common belief, Kate's practice is approximately 50/50 in terms of gender, with erectile dysfunction being one of the most common issues men seek help for.

Performance Anxiety and Modern Pressures: From pornography to social media, men face unprecedented pressure regarding sexual performance, especially during fertility treatment.

Navigating Semen Analysis Anxiety: Kate offers practical advice for managing the unique pressure of producing samples in clinical environments, emphasising that anxiety in these situations is completely normal.

When Sex Becomes Functional: Learn how trying to conceive can quickly transform sex from pleasurable to scheduled, and strategies for maintaining intimacy outside of fertility windows.

The Importance of Communication: Kate emphasises how open dialogue between partners and healthcare providers is crucial during fertility challenges.

Kate emphasises that sexual difficulties during fertility treatment are normal, understandable, and addressable with the right support. For men navigating this challenging terrain, recognising the impact of context on sexual function and seeking appropriate help can make a significant difference.

Connect with Kate Moyle:

Instagram: @KateMoyle

Book: "The Science of Sex" (Available in bookshops and online retailers)

Have questions or experiences about your fertility journey?

Share them with 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.

In this episode of The Male Bag, host Shaun answers your most pressing questions about his journey as a sperm donor recipient father. Drawing from his personal experience, Shaun addresses six common themes that emerged from questions submitted via email, Instagram, and the NeXYs Fertility support community.

Episode Highlights:

• Coming to Terms with Donor Sperm (00:01:00): Shaun shares his emotional journey of accepting the need for donor sperm and redefining his identity as a future father. He discusses the grieving process of letting go of genetic connection and how he rebuilt his understanding of fatherhood based on character traits rather than DNA.
• Addressing Common Fears (00:05:00): Shaun candidly discusses fears about bonding with donor-conceived children and how these concerns dissipated after his children were born. He emphasises that parent-child love requires daily nurturing regardless of genetic connection.
• Selecting a Donor (00:08:00): Practical insights into the donor selection process, including how Shaun and his wife approached this significant decision. He explains their focus on holistic characteristics rather than attempting to replicate his own traits.
• Handling Comments About Resemblance (00:13:00): Shaun discusses his evolving approach to managing unsolicited comments about his children's appearance and resemblance, from initially being very open about donor conception to finding more comfortable ways to navigate these situations.
• Telling Children About Donor Conception (00:16:00): The importance of openness and honesty with donor-conceived children. Shaun shares how he and his wife decided to tell their children about their origins from an early age, including creative approaches like framing it as a fairytale.
• Resources and Support (00:22:00): Shaun recommends seeking professional counselling, reading educational materials like "Free Makes Baby," and joining support communities like NeXYs Fertility.

This podcast is sponsored by ExSeed Health. ExSeed. Understand how vital it is to stay ahead of the game with your fertility. Their at-home sperm test shows exactly where you're starting from. No NHS queues, No pricey clinics, No stress. You don't even have to send a sample through the post. By harnessing your phone's camera with the ExSeed device, you can record a video of your semen to analyse in minutes. Doctors are just a message or free video call away with personalised tips to boost your count.

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This podcast is also sponsored by Impryl® - Fertility Family

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In this powerful episode of The Male Fertility Podcast, hosts Shaun and Ciaran welcome Natalie Silverman and Becky Kearns, co-founders of Fertility Matters at Work. This Community Interest Company is dedicated to improving fertility support in workplaces across the UK and beyond. Both guests bring their personal fertility journeys and professional expertise to the conversation, creating a compelling discussion about the challenges faced by employees undergoing fertility treatment and how employers can better support them.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The founding story of Fertility Matters at Work and how the co-founders' personal experiences shaped their mission
• The impact of fertility struggles on workplace performance and mental health
• The "line manager lottery" problem and why consistent policies are essential
• What makes a "gold standard" fertility workplace policy
• How fertility issues affect men in the workplace and why it's not just a women's health issue
• Practical advice for employers looking to implement fertility-friendly policies
• Resources available for both employees and employers through Fertility Matters at Work

Guests: Becky Kearns is the Co-Founder and CEO of Fertility Matters at Work. With a background in HR and personal experience with premature ovarian insufficiency, she combines professional expertise with lived experience to advocate for better workplace support. Becky also founded Paths to Parenthub, a virtual support platform for donor conception.

Natalie Silverman is the Co-Founder and CCO of Fertility Matters at Work. As the creator of The Fertility Podcast in 2014 (the UK's first fertility-focused podcast), she brings over 15 years of broadcasting experience and her own fertility journey to her advocacy work.

• Fertility Matters at Work website: fertilitymattersatwork.com
• Free downloadable resources including guides on typical IVF cycles and building business cases for fertility policies
• The F Word at Work podcast
• Workplace Fertility Campaign Group

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.