Think fertility is only about women? Why men need to start paying attention too

For a long time, talking about fertility in India meant talking about women. That’s just how it was. But things are starting to move, and you can actually feel the difference. Men are finally stepping in, realizing it’s not just a women’s thing, and wanting to play their part too.

We see it all the time at LUMA. One man, for example, gave us his own phone number because he didn’t want every update to go through his wife. He wanted to be in the loop himself, to shoulder some of the responsibility. Not long after, three single men, no partners, just them, came in during the same week for semen analysis. Nobody pushed them. They simply wanted a window into their own reproductive health. These might sound like little moments, but they point to something bigger changing.

Fertility is not just a women’s concern

We’ve held onto this old idea that fertility is just a woman’s concern. In reality, it takes both partners. Both should be able to ask questions, get tested, and just get to know what’s really going on. For men, even a simple semen analysis can reveal a lot. The problem is, people usually wait until they've been trying for ages before anyone talks to men about getting checked. That's starting to change.

Nowadays, the chatter goes beyond just medical details. People are talking about stuff like stress, smoking, weight, and how long they spend hunched at a desk. Men are realising these things matter, and they're taking it seriously. And yes, age is part of the talk too. Everyone knows how it affects women’s fertility, but men should know their age matters as well. The point isn’t to stress anyone out. It’s about getting the facts early, making smarter choices, and not scrambling at the last minute.

Why talking about male fertility still feels difficult

Still, if you’re a man, talking about fertility can feel plain awkward. There’s stigma, plain and simple. Sometimes men don’t want to admit, even to themselves, that they might face fertility challenges. Shame, anxiety, fear of what others will think- it all adds up and keeps guys quiet.

But things get easier the more we talk about it. When men see these conversations happening, it opens the door for them to ask questions and seek help without feeling like there’s something 'wrong'. Doctors, clinics, everyone caring for couples has a hand here. They can show men that their questions count, and that fertility isn’t only for women to worry about.

There’s a silver lining with today’s digital world. Men can quietly scroll through info on sperm health, lifestyle choices, tests, and preservation, before they even set foot in a clinic. Sometimes, that privacy is exactly what makes it less scary to get started.

Men are taking an active role

And things are really shifting when it comes to how couples tackle this. It’s not just about men showing up after problems pop up. More and more, partners come in together for that very first visit. Men want to know about their own fertility, not just their partner’s. They’re asking about tests, options, and what’s out there for them. That’s what matters in the end. Fertility care shouldn’t kick off with blame or guilt. It should start with wanting to understand.

Making reproductive health part of preventive health

There’s a bigger principle here, too: prevention. We tell people to keep tabs on blood pressure or blood sugar, even before something’s wrong. Why not do the same for reproductive health? You don’t need to wait until you’re ready to have a kid. Just checking in or talking to someone is a way to know your body, and your options, for the future.

For young men especially, good info early on makes all the difference down the road. Couples can start real talks about family plans, instead of guessing or picking up myths from the grapevine. Really, this isn’t about making men anxious. It’s about helping them tune in.

Things are changing in India’s fertility conversation, and men are taking their place. The more these topics are out in the open, the easier it gets to ask questions, look up facts, and make choices together. Fertility isn’t something you go through alone. It’s something you figure out as a couple, with more honesty, better info, and a lot less awkwardness when it finally comes time to talk.

(The author is the founder of Luma Fertility)

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.