Despite knowing that it takes two to make a baby, many women assume that fertility problems almost always arise from the female side. There are numerous historical, cultural, and religious reasons for this belief but the reality is that men can have plenty of trouble too.

In approximately 40 percent of infertile couples, the male partner is either the sole cause or a contributing cause of infertility. Sperm issues such as low sperm count or abnormal/unhealthy sperm are the primary problem in 25% to 35% of infertile couples, and some reports indicate that worldwide, male infertility is on the rise. The reason why is still unclear, but some theories suggest toxins from environmental exposure could be at work.

Furthermore, even in couples with female-related fertility issues, mild sperm defects often contribute just enough to make achieving a pregnancy difficult, if not impossible, without help. For these reasons, it’s crucial that men be involved with the infertility evaluations from the outset, usually starting with a semen analysis. If a serious abnormality is identified, consultation with an urologist or further testing will likely be necessary.

Be sure that both of you receive a complete reproductive assessment.