Nobody tells you about the room.

The wipeable surfaces. The remote control in a freezer bag. The silence outside the door, and your brain convincing you that everyone out there is talking about you.

In this episode, Ciaran and Shaun answer two listener questions about one of the most unspoken parts of the fertility journey: giving a semen sample.

The first question came in via Instagram: how do you deal with the pressure of producing a sample? Both hosts share their honest experiences, including the time Shaun couldn't do it and had to hand back an empty pot. They talk through what genuinely helps: communication, routine, timing, and being kind to yourself.

The second topic came from inside the NeXYs community, where members realised they'd all been told completely different things about abstinence periods. So Shaun took it directly to Professor Alan Pacey MBE, one of the UK's leading male fertility experts, and shares his answer in full.

💬 What to Expect

• The honest reality of walking into that room for the first time
• The time Shaun couldn't produce a sample and had to hand back an empty pot
• How communication with your partner changes everything
• Why routine and timing matter more than you'd think
• When it's okay to walk out and reset
• Professor Alan Pacey MBE answers the abstinence period question — what the WHO says, what changes for IVF and ICSI, and why clinics give different advice

🏁 EPISODE SPONSORS

This season is all about reminding you that when it comes to fertility, you are not alone.

At The Male Fertility Podcast, we know how powerful the right support can be, which is why we've partnered with Fertility Family to share Impryl.

We all know nutrition matters for fertility, but let's be honest, maintaining a perfectly balanced diet for conception is incredibly hard. Choosing a supplement can be just as confusing, especially when many multivitamins contain strong antioxidants that can actually harm sperm quality.

Impryl is different. It's made using activated micronutrients that support every cell in the body, from the largest, the egg, to the smallest, the sperm. These nutrients have been clinically shown to significantly improve live birth rates in men and women who had previously been struggling to conceive.

What we really like is that behind the science are real stories from real people.

To find out more, visit fertilityfamily.co.uk. And if you decide it's right for you, our listeners can get 10% off using the code MFPOD10. That's MFPOD10.

📲 CONNECT & FOLLOW

• Join our community: nexysfertility.com
• Subscribe on YouTube: The Male Fertility Podcast
• Follow us on Instagram: @themalefertilitypodcast
• Follow Ciaran: @themalefertilitypt
• Follow Shaun: @knackered_knackers
• Contact us: themalefertilitypodcast@gmail.com

🔍 NAVIGATING MALE FERTILITY

Looking for support and insight on male infertility? This podcast offers you stories, expert advice, and our NeXYs community ready to listen. Subscribe and follow to join the journey and never miss an episode.

⚠️ DISCLAIMER

This podcast provides information and support but should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised care.

This has been a Worth A Listen Production

This week, Ciaran and Shaun are joined by Jack Burke — journalist, writer, and testicular cancer survivor. Diagnosed at just 26 during the tail end of COVID, Jack's story is one of gut-wrenching fear, remarkable resilience, and a candid look at what happens to your fertility when cancer enters the picture.

For the first time, Jack opens up in real detail about finding the lump, navigating the NHS in a pandemic, enduring three brutal rounds of BEP chemotherapy, and the strange, often darkly funny reality of being a young man suddenly confronting his own mortality — and his fertility.

This is raw, honest, and exactly the kind of conversation that doesn't happen enough.

• Jack's full story: from finding the lump in the shower to a stage 3/4 diagnosis and three rounds of BEP chemotherapy
• The link between testicular cancer and infertility — and why it's not spoken about enough
• The "wank bank" experience: the bizarre, funny, and deeply human reality of sperm banking at the NHS
• Why the hardest part of cancer isn't the treatment — it's what comes after
• The IVF funnel problem and how the male factor is so often overlooked in fertility pathways
• What Jack wishes oncologists and andrologists had told him about preserving his fertility
• The power of peer support: why talking to a man five years ahead of you beats any doctor's reassurance
• Jack's open invitation to anyone going through testicular cancer to reach out to him directly

This season is all about reminding you that when it comes to fertility, you are not alone.

At The Male Fertility Podcast, we know how powerful the right support can be, which is why we've partnered with Fertility Family to share Impryl.

We all know nutrition matters for fertility, but let's be honest, maintaining a perfectly balanced diet for conception is incredibly hard. Choosing a supplement can be just as confusing, especially when many multivitamins contain strong antioxidants that can actually harm sperm quality.

Impryl is different. It's made using activated micronutrients that support every cell in the body, from the largest, the egg, to the smallest, the sperm. These nutrients have been clinically shown to significantly improve live birth rates in men and women who had previously been struggling to conceive.

What we really like is that behind the science are real stories from real people.

To find out more, visit fertilityfamily.co.uk

Our listeners get 10% off using the code MFPOD10.

• 🌐 Community: nexysfertility.com
• ▶️ YouTube: The Male Fertility Podcast
• 📷 Instagram: @themalefertilitypodcast
• 👤 Ciaran: @themalefertilitypt
• 👤 Shaun: @knackered_knackers
• 👤 Jack Burke: @jsburke
• 📧 Email: themalefertilitypodcast@gmail.com

⚠️ Disclaimer

This podcast provides information and support but should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised care.

“You’ve got my number. Phone me.”

It’s a simple request, but one that speaks volumes about a frustration felt by countless men going through fertility treatment. This week, we’re tackling a topic that has come up again and again in our community: how do you advocate for yourself in a system that often makes you feel like a passenger?

From being ignored in the waiting room to having clinics call your partner about your own results, the feeling of being a forgotten part of the equation is a heavy burden. In this Male Bag episode, we share our own experiences of feeling like a “chauffeur” and discuss the practical steps you can take to reclaim your place in the room. We explore why it’s crucial to be present, how taking notes can be a game-changer, and the power of politely reminding clinical staff that you are 50% of the process. This isn’t about blame; it’s about empowerment.

💬 What to Expect:

• Why men so often feel like passengers in their own fertility journey.

• The simple act of calling a man by his name and why it matters.

• Practical tips for being more present and engaged in consultations.

• How taking notes can transform your understanding and involvement.

• The importance of debriefing with your partner after appointments.

• Why it’s okay to feel like a “deer in headlights” at the start.

• How to politely and constructively advocate for yourself to create change.

🏁 Episode Sponsors

This season is all about reminding you that when it comes to fertility, you are not alone.

At The Male Fertility Podcast, we know how powerful the right support can be, which is why we've partnered with Fertility Family to share Impryl.

We all know nutrition matters for fertility, but let's be honest, maintaining a perfectly balanced diet for conception is incredibly hard. Choosing a supplement can be just as confusing, especially when many multivitamins contain strong antioxidants that can actually harm sperm quality.

Impryl is different. It's made using activated micronutrients that support every cell in the body, from the largest, the egg, to the smallest, the sperm. These nutrients have been clinically shown to significantly improve live birth rates in men and women who had previously been struggling to conceive.

What we really like is that behind the science are real stories from real people.

To find out more, visit fertilityfamily.co.uk.

And if you decide it’s right for you, our listeners can get 10% off using the code MFPOD10.

That’s MFPOD10

📲 Connect & Follow

• Join our community: nexysfertility.com

• Subscribe on YouTube: The Male Fertility Podcast

• Follow us on Instagram: @themalefertilitypodcast

• Follow Ciaran: @themalefertilitypt

• Follow Shaun: @knackered_knackers

• Contact us: themalefertilitypodcast@gmail.com

🔍 Navigating Male Fertility

Looking for support and insight on male infertility? This podcast offers you stories, expert advice, and our NeXYs community ready to listen. Subscribe and follow to join the journey and never miss an episode.

⚠️ Disclaimer

This podcast provides information and support but should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised care.

This week, we are honoured to be joined by a true pillar of the NeXYs community, Luke McCarthy. From the in-person meetups to our online panels, Luke has been a massive supporter from the start, and now he’s bravely sharing his own story.

Luke’s journey is one many of our listeners will recognise: the assumption that starting a family would be easy, followed by the slow, frustrating realisation that it wasn’t. For 18 months, the focus was entirely on his wife, with Luke feeling like a forgotten accessory to the process. He opens up about the anger and frustration of discovering a varicocele had been identified in a scan but never followed up on, the crushing low of learning all their embryos were non-viable, and the turning point of seeking expert help from Jonathan Ramsay. This is a powerful story about feeling let down by the system, the mental toll of sacrificing the things you love, and the empowerment that comes from finally taking control.

💬 What to Expect:

• The frustration of being ignored for 18 months as the male partner.

• Discovering a varicocele was found on a scan but never followed up on.

• The emotional impact of being treated as a “bit part” in your own fertility journey.

• The crushing blow of a failed IVF round and non-viable embryos after PGTA testing.

• The decision to seek specialist help and getting a diagnosis of DNA fragmentation.

• The mental health challenges of giving up lifestyle passions like cycling.

• The power of opening up to your partner, friends, and workplace.

🏁 Episode Sponsors

This season is all about reminding you that when it comes to fertility, you are not alone.

At The Male Fertility Podcast, we know how powerful the right support can be, which is why we've partnered with Fertility Family to share Impryl.

We all know nutrition matters for fertility, but let's be honest, maintaining a perfectly balanced diet for conception is incredibly hard. Choosing a supplement can be just as confusing, especially when many multivitamins contain strong antioxidants that can actually harm sperm quality.

Impryl is different. It's made using activated micronutrients that support every cell in the body, from the largest, the egg, to the smallest, the sperm. These nutrients have been clinically shown to significantly improve live birth rates in men and women who had previously been struggling to conceive.

What we really like is that behind the science are real stories from real people.

To find out more, visit fertilityfamily.co.uk.

And if you decide it’s right for you, our listeners can get 10% off using the code MFPOD10.

That’s MFPOD10

📲 Connect & Follow

• Join our community: nexysfertility.com

• Subscribe on YouTube: The Male Fertility Podcast

• Follow us on Instagram: @themalefertilitypodcast

• Follow Ciaran: @themalefertilitypt

• Follow Shaun: @knackered_knackers

• Contact us: themalefertilitypodcast@gmail.com

🔍 Navigating Male Fertility

Looking for support and insight on male infertility? This podcast offers you stories, expert advice, and our NeXYs community ready to listen. Subscribe and follow to join the journey and never miss an episode.

⚠️ Disclaimer

This podcast provides information and support but should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised care.

This week, we’re sharing a very special collaboration episode. Ciaran recently had the privilege of sitting down with Ollie Brown from the Marathons for Miracles podcast to share his own deeply personal story of loss, grief, and resilience. For the first time in such detail, Ciaran opens up about the three miscarriages he and his wife experienced on their path to parenthood.

This is the full, raw conversation from the Marathons for Miracles podcast. Ciaran delves into the intense loneliness and self-blame he felt, the gut-wrenching moment they discovered a “vanishing twin,” and how he ultimately processed the grief that led him to the brink. It’s a story about how our hardest moments can forge a new path, leading Ciaran to become The Male Fertility PT and inspiring him to run a marathon for the baby loss charity, Tommy’s.

💬 What to Expect:

• Ciaran’s full story of navigating three miscarriages, including a “vanishing twin.”

• The intense guilt men can feel when miscarriage is linked to male-factor infertility.

• The psychological impact of loss and a journey to the brink and back.

• The power of taking control of your lifestyle to improve both mental and physical health.

• How to support a partner when you feel powerless to “fix” the situation.

• The story behind the Marathons for Miracles challenge and the incredible work of Tommy’s.

• Why it’s so important for men to have a space to share and process their grief.

• For more information go to https://marathonsformiracles.com/

🏁 Episode Sponsors

This season is all about reminding you that when it comes to fertility, you are not alone.

At The Male Fertility Podcast, we know how powerful the right support can be, which is why we've partnered with Fertility Family to share Impryl.

We all know nutrition matters for fertility, but let's be honest, maintaining a perfectly balanced diet for conception is incredibly hard. Choosing a supplement can be just as confusing, especially when many multivitamins contain strong antioxidants that can actually harm sperm quality.

Impryl is different. It's made using activated micronutrients that support every cell in the body, from the largest, the egg, to the smallest, the sperm. These nutrients have been clinically shown to significantly improve live birth rates in men and women who had previously been struggling to conceive.

What we really like is that behind the science are real stories from real people.

To find out more, visit fertilityfamily.co.uk.

And if you decide it’s right for you, our listeners can get 10% off using the code MFPOD10.

That’s MFPOD10

📲 Connect & Follow

• Join our community: nexysfertility.com

• Subscribe on YouTube: The Male Fertility Podcast

• Follow us on Instagram: @themalefertilitypodcast

• Follow Ciaran: @themalefertilitypt

• Follow Shaun: @knackered_knackers

• Contact us: themalefertilitypodcast@gmail.com

🔍 Navigating Male Fertility

Looking for support and insight on male infertility? This podcast offers you stories, expert advice, and our NeXYs community ready to listen. Subscribe and follow to join the journey and never miss an episode.

⚠️ Disclaimer

This podcast provides information and support but should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised care.

This week, Ciaran takes the mic solo for a deeply personal and important Male Bag episode. He opens up about a topic that affects so many but is often faced in silence: miscarriage. Sharing his own story of experiencing three miscarriages on the path to fatherhood, Ciaran explores the lonely and complex grief that men carry, especially when male factor infertility is involved.

This is an episode about acknowledging hidden pain, reframing identity, and finding a powerful new purpose. Ciaran discusses how he came to see himself as a father of five, not just two, and how he is channeling his experience into running a marathon for the incredible baby loss charity, Tommy's. It’s a raw, honest, and ultimately hopeful conversation for anyone who has navigated the heartbreak of baby loss.

💬 What to Expect:

• Ciaran’s personal story of experiencing three miscarriages.

• The hidden grief and loneliness men often face after baby loss.

• How unprocessed grief can manifest as anxiety and panic attacks.

• The extra layer of guilt that can come with male-factor related miscarriages.

• Reframing identity from a father of two to a father of five.

• The “Marathons for Miracles” challenge with Olly Brown and supporting the charity Tommy’s.

• Where to find support if you are struggling with baby loss.

🏁 Episode Sponsors

This season is all about reminding you that when it comes to fertility, you are not alone.

At The Male Fertility Podcast, we know how powerful the right support can be, which is why we've partnered with Fertility Family to share Impryl.

We all know nutrition matters for fertility, but let's be honest, maintaining a perfectly balanced diet for conception is incredibly hard. Choosing a supplement can be just as confusing, especially when many multivitamins contain strong antioxidants that can actually harm sperm quality.

Impryl is different. It's made using activated micronutrients that support every cell in the body, from the largest, the egg, to the smallest, the sperm. These nutrients have been clinically shown to significantly improve live birth rates in men and women who had previously been struggling to conceive.

What we really like is that behind the science are real stories from real people.

To find out more, visit fertilityfamily.co.uk.

And if you decide it’s right for you, our listeners can get 10% off using the code MFPOD10.

That’s MFPOD10

📲 Connect & Follow

• Join our community: nexysfertility.com

• Subscribe on YouTube: The Male Fertility Podcast

• Follow us on Instagram: @themalefertilitypodcast

• Follow Ciaran: @themalefertilitypt

• Follow Shaun: @knackered_knackers

• Contact us: themalefertilitypodcast@gmail.com

🔍 Navigating Male Fertility

Looking for support and insight on male infertility? This podcast offers you stories, expert advice, and our NeXYs community ready to listen. Subscribe and follow to join the journey and never miss an episode.

⚠️ Disclaimer

This podcast provides information and support but should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised care.

This has been a Worth A Listen Production

This week, we are joined by NeXYs community member James Cowley, who shares his powerful story of navigating a male factor infertility diagnosis for over four years. James opens up about the all-too-common “ostrich moment” of burying his head in the sand, the clinical and often dehumanising experience of providing a sample, and the gut-wrenching pain of failed IVF cycles.

From screaming into the ether in a field to being told by a mentor to embrace his “true, authentic, vulnerable self,” James’s journey is a masterclass in resilience. He discusses how he learned to stop blaming himself, the invaluable role of therapy, and the simple, powerful practice of watching the sunrise to find peace and perspective. This is an episode about acceptance, character-building, and the courage to take your fertility journey seriously from day one.

💬 Key Topics Discussed

The “ostrich moment” of delaying getting tested

The clinical and impersonal experience of providing a sample

Dealing with the emotional fallout of failed IVF cycles

The turning point of embracing vulnerability and authenticity

How therapy helped in processing self-blame

Finding peace and perspective through simple, mindful practices

🏁 Episode Sponsors

This season is all about reminding you that when it comes to fertility, you are not alone.

At The Male Fertility Podcast, we know how powerful the right support can be, which is why we've partnered with Fertility Family to share Impryl.

We all know nutrition matters for fertility, but let's be honest, maintaining a perfectly balanced diet for conception is incredibly hard. Choosing a supplement can be just as confusing, especially when many multivitamins contain strong antioxidants that can actually harm sperm quality.

Impryl is different. It's made using activated micronutrients that support every cell in the body, from the largest, the egg, to the smallest, the sperm. These nutrients have been clinically shown to significantly improve live birth rates in men and women who had previously been struggling to conceive.

What we really like is that behind the science are real stories from real people.

To find out more, visit fertilityfamily.co.uk.

And if you decide it’s right for you, our listeners can get 10% off using the code MFPOD10.

That’s MFPOD10

📲 Connect & Follow

Join our community: nexysfertility.com

Subscribe on YouTube: The Male Fertility Podcast

Follow us on Instagram: @themalefertilitypodcast

Follow Ciaran: @themalefertilitypt

Follow Shaun: @knackered_knackers

Contact us: themalefertilitypodcast@gmail.com

🔍 Navigating Male Fertility

Looking for support and insight on male infertility? This podcast offers you stories, expert advice, and our NeXYs community ready to listen. Subscribe and follow to join the journey and never miss an episode.

⚠️ Disclaimer

This podcast provides information and support but should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised care.