Society’s assumption that fit men have good sperm means that men can be devastated by an infertility diagnosis, says Dr Thanos Papathanasiou ahead of International Men’s Health Week 2024.
After a shock cancer diagnosis in his twenties, having children was the last thing on Nick’s mind, but he is so grateful now that he agreed to freeze sperm prior to chemotherapy.
Wayne was still in his twenties when he was told by doctors he had azoospermia – zero sperm count – and thought that would end his hopes of having a baby with partner Melissa. But after undergoing MicroTESE, a delicate sperm extraction procedure performed by Bourn Hall’s specialist team of ‘sperm hunters’, he is now a dad to twins.
There are many ways to improve sperm health, advises specialist on male fertility ahead of Father’s Day.
Richard had a vasectomy after his first family, but wanted a baby with new wife Jemma. The couple looked at adoption, vasectomy reversal and then sperm retrieval and fertility treatment.
Richard used to dread the well-intentioned questioning and comments he and his wife Sarah would sometimes get around starting a family. “I used to try and brush any questions off as quickly as possible,” he says.