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May 25, 2026
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Male factor contributes to roughly half of all cases. Here's what that actually means.
When a couple struggles to conceive, the workup typically starts with both partners. A semen analysis for him, and a much longer list for her. Bloodwork, hormone panels, imaging, cycle tracking, specialist referrals. The semen analysis is now a standard part of the initial evaluation, and that's a step in the right direction.
But the weight of investigation still falls overwhelmingly on the female side. And a basic semen analysis, while essential, only tells part of the story. It measures count, motility, and morphology. It doesn't assess sperm DNA integrity, hormonal causes, anatomical issues, or genetic factors that can all contribute to infertility without showing up on a standard result.
This matters because male factor contributes to roughly 40 to 50% of all infertility cases and is the sole cause in approximately 20% of them. In about half of all couples who can't conceive, part of the reason is on the male side. When the investigation stops at a single basic semen analysis while the female partner undergoes months of testing, the full picture doesn't get seen.
Fertility is not primarily a female issue. The workup shouldn't treat it like one.
What Male Factor Infertility Actually Means
Male factor infertility refers to any issue with sperm that reduces the chances of conception. This breaks down into three main categories.
Sperm count refers to the number of sperm present in an ejaculate. The WHO defines a normal sperm concentration as 15 million sperm per ...
With a background in nursing and a genuine passion for care, Jessie supports myStoria members as part of the Concierge team.
