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.
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.
A recent BBC documentary shone a light on male infertility and the taboos which still exist around the subject. Former Bourn Hall patient Matt talks about the impact on his mental health.
Mr Oliver Wiseman says: “A semen test that shows a low sperm count or poor sperm quality is just the starting point, many issues can be resolved naturally, or with surgery and/or medication.