For years, infertility has been treated like a woman's problem. A 2015 study in the Journal of Human Reproductive Sciences reported that 40–50 per cent of infertility cases among Indian couples involve male factors. A 2021 review in the Asia-Pacific Journal of Reproduction likewise found Indian studies consistently attributing about 40 per cent of infertility to men.

Related story: The Truths About Male Infertility—Debunking Common Myths

Myth 1: Men Stay Fertile Forever

Sperm quality declines with age. Motility, morphology and DNA integrity all gradually dip. Men over 40 are roughly 30 per cent less likely to conceive within a year than men under 30. It’s not a sudden cliff, but the slide is real.

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Myth 2: Underwear Choice Is Everything

Heat can impair sperm production, but your briefs aren’t the main culprit. Hot tubs, laptops on laps and prolonged high temperatures are far bigger risks. Looser underwear may help a bit, but it isn’t the magic bullet some people believe it to be.

Myth 3: An Abnormal Semen Test Means Hopelessness

Sperm quality declines with age. Motility, morphology and DNA integrity all gradually dip. Men over 40 are roughly 30 per cent less likely to conceive within a year than men under 30. It’s not a sudden cliff, but the slide is real. According to UTSW, older fathers also face increased risks of genetic mutations in sperm, which may raise the chances of certain disorders in their children.

Related story: How To Improve Your Chances Of Becoming A Dad—An Andrologist Guide to Male Fertility

Myth 4: Men Always Make Perfect Sperm

A man produces approximately 1,500 sperm per second, resulting in over 130 million per day. But quantity doesn’t equal quality. Around 30 per cent of male infertility cases remain unexplained. And although you may read headlines about global sperm declines, the evidence is mixed.

Myth 5: Quick Fixes and Superfoods Work Wonders

No herb or supplement undoes infertility overnight. What does help is sustained healthy living: no smoking, limited alcohol consumption, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and reduced exposure to toxins. Ironically, anabolic steroids taken to look stronger can shut down sperm production.

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Myth 6: Fertility Is a Simple Sperm Race

Cartoons show sperm racing to an egg, but the egg isn’t passive. It releases chemical signals that influence which sperm can enter the egg.

Male fertility is also a health marker. Abnormal semen may hint at hormonal issues, diabetes risk or even testicular cancer. Yet men often skip evaluations because they think it’s unnecessary, losing precious time for treatment.

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What Can Help?

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Replacing myths with facts helps couples act sooner, reduces stigma and improves outcomes.

Understanding what really affects male fertility isn’t just about conception; it’s about men’s overall health and well-being. The more openly we talk about the male side of fertility, the faster couples can act, the less stigma there is, and the better the outcomes. Myths fade, facts stay, and that’s how real change begins.

Related story: Tips to Boost Your Fertility in Your 30s

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