The Male Fertility PT Podcast

⚠️ Content warning: This episode discusses suicide, suicidal thoughts, infertility and mental health. Please take care when listening.

What happens when male infertility starts affecting a man's mental health?

In this deeply personal episode of The Male Fertility PT Podcast, Ciaran opens up about his experience of male factor infertility, isolation, men's mental health and suicidal thoughts.

Fourteen years ago, Ciaran was diagnosed with male factor infertility. What followed was a gradual loss of confidence, withdrawal from friends and family and a period where he began to believe that suicide was the only way to stop the pain.

"I didn't want to die. I wanted the pain to stop."

Ciaran talks honestly about what that period was like, the impact infertility had on his identity and masculinity, and what eventually helped him begin to recover.

He also asks an important question:

In 2024, more than 4,600 male suicides were registered in England and Wales. How many of those men were also experiencing fertility challenges?

We don't currently know.

Ciaran believes this is a question worth asking because men experiencing male infertility and fertility treatment don't always say that they are struggling with their mental health. Sometimes they become quieter, withdraw from friends and family, stop doing the things they enjoy or simply tell people they are fine.

Ciaran knows because he experienced it himself.

This episode explores the connection between male infertility, fertility treatment, men's mental health and suicide prevention, while highlighting the importance of talking and getting support before someone reaches crisis point.

• Ciaran's diagnosis with male factor infertility
• How infertility affected his identity and perception of masculinity
• The emotional and psychological impact of fertility challenges
• How isolation developed during his fertility journey
• Ciaran's experience of suicidal thoughts
• Why he says, "I didn't want to die. I wanted the pain to stop"
• What helped him begin to recover
• The importance of counselling and talking to people you trust
• Men's mental health during fertility treatment
• The unanswered question around fertility challenges and suicide
• Why men need to be encouraged to talk before reaching crisis point
• Why Ciaran and Shaun created the Male Fertility Hub

If this episode brings up difficult feelings, or you're currently experiencing suicidal thoughts, please talk to someone.

Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

📞 Call 116 123 for free

🌐 Visit samaritans.org

You can also speak to your GP, a mental health professional, your partner, a friend or someone you trust.

If you are in immediate danger, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E.

If you're experiencing male infertility, fertility challenges or fertility treatment and want to connect with other men who understand what you're going through, visit:

www.themalefertilityhub.com

The Male Fertility Hub exists to give men somewhere to talk openly about fertility, men's health and the challenges of trying to become a father.

No man should feel like he has nobody to talk to.

If this episode helps one man realise he's not alone and encourages him to reach out for support, then it's done its job.

The Male Fertility PT Podcast explores male fertility, male infertility, sperm health, fertility treatment, men's health, exercise, nutrition, lifestyle and the emotional side of trying to become a father.

Hosted by Ciaran Hannington, the podcast aims to create honest, practical and evidence-informed conversations that help men better understand their fertility and take control of the areas of their health they can influence.

If you're experiencing male infertility, fertility challenges or fertility treatment, you are not alone.

Can cardiovascular exercise support male fertility? Is running bad for sperm? And what happens when recreational exercise becomes high-volume endurance training?

In this episode of The Male Fertility PT Podcast, I explore the relationship between cardiovascular exercise, endurance training, sperm health and male fertility, looking at what the current research tells us and what this might actually mean for men trying to conceive.

For me, cardiovascular training wasn't something I really thought about during my own infertility journey. I played rugby and was active, but I didn't purposely go out running or think about cardiovascular fitness as something that could be relevant to my fertility.

As I learned more about male fertility and started looking at the research, my perspective changed.

Research generally suggests that recreational physical activity is positive for overall health and can have beneficial effects on some semen parameters, including sperm concentration and progressive motility.

But the picture becomes more complicated when we look at high-volume, long-duration endurance exercise.

A 2024 systematic review looking at endurance exercise in male athletes found that some studies reported negative changes in semen parameters, including aspects of sperm morphology and DNA fragmentation.

However, and this is an important distinction, these changes rarely appeared to have a clinically relevant impact on male fertility.

That doesn't mean endurance training is completely harmless, or that sperm parameters don't matter. It means we need to be careful about automatically assuming that a change in a semen parameter means a man is less fertile.

Not necessarily.

High-intensity exercise and high-volume endurance training aren't the same thing.

There is often a tendency to label intense exercise as something men should avoid when trying to conceive, but the research doesn't support such a simple message.

Instead, we need to consider the overall training load, including how often we're training, how long we're training for, how hard we're training and whether we're recovering and fuelling properly.

If you're trying to conceive, you don't necessarily need to stop running, cycling or playing sport.

For most men, recreational cardiovascular exercise can be an important part of a healthy lifestyle.

The bigger question is what happens when training becomes excessive, particularly when high volumes of endurance exercise are combined with inadequate recovery, nutrition or sleep.

There isn't a magic fertility-specific training limit that applies to every man.

Training is good for you, but more doesn't automatically mean better.

My approach is to encourage men to find cardiovascular activities they actually enjoy, whether that's running, cycling, football, walking or something else that gets the heart rate up.

The goal isn't to find the perfect fertility workout.

It's about finding a level of training that supports your physical health, mental wellbeing and reproductive health, while allowing your body to recover and adapt.

And as we get older, recovery can become another important part of the conversation.

• Cardiovascular exercise and male fertility
• Recreational exercise and sperm quality
• Endurance training and sperm health
• Running and male fertility
• Cycling and sperm quality
• High-intensity exercise and sperm
• Sperm concentration and motility
• Sperm morphology and DNA fragmentation
• The difference between sperm parameters and fertility outcomes
• Training volume, duration and intensity
• Recovery and fuelling
• Why more exercise doesn't necessarily mean better
• My own experience of exercise during my infertility journey

Cardiovascular exercise isn't the enemy of male fertility.

For most men, regular recreational exercise is a positive part of a healthy lifestyle. However, very high-volume endurance training can affect some sperm parameters, and that's something worth considering when you're preparing for conception or actively trying to conceive.

The answer isn't to stop exercising.

Think about how much you're training, how hard you're training, how long you're training for, and whether you're recovering and fuelling properly.

Training is good for you, but more doesn't automatically mean better.

The episode draws on systematic reviews examining physical activity, semen quality and endurance exercise in male athletes, including research published by Agarwal et al. (2019) and Aerts et al. (2024).

Find out more about The Male Fertility PT, including coaching and support for men looking to improve their health and lifestyle while trying to conceive.

Instagram: @themalefertilitypt

Email: [email protected]

For male fertility information, community and support, find The Male Fertility Hub.

You can also listen to The Male Fertility Podcast for conversations, personal stories and expert discussions covering male infertility and the wider fertility experience.

If you found this episode useful, follow The Male Fertility PT Podcast, leave a review and share it with another man who might benefit from hearing it.

Stay strong,

Ciaran

Can strength training support male fertility? What happens to testosterone when we lift weights? And what does the research actually tell us about resistance training and sperm health?

In this episode of The Male Fertility PT Podcast, I explore the relationship between strength training, testosterone, sperm health and male fertility, combining the current research with my own experience of male factor infertility and years of resistance training.

Before my infertility diagnosis, my relationship with the gym was very different. I had moved from training for rugby performance to training largely for appearance. Following my diagnosis, my confidence, motivation and relationship with exercise changed significantly.

Over time, I began to rethink not only how I trained, but why I trained.

Research specifically examining resistance training and male fertility is still developing.

There is evidence suggesting that resistance training can positively influence wider health factors relevant to male reproductive health, including oxidative stress, inflammation, body composition, weight management and metabolic health.

Some research has also reported improvements in semen parameters following exercise interventions. However, the evidence is not yet consistent enough to say that resistance training will reliably improve sperm count, motility or morphology in every man.

Sometimes we become so focused on improving sperm that we forget about improving the health of the man producing the sperm.

For me, that's the bigger conversation.

Resistance exercise can produce an acute increase in testosterone, particularly when training involves large muscle groups and compound movements.

Whether regular resistance training consistently increases baseline testosterone over the longer term is less clear.

In the episode, I separate what the research currently tells us from my own experience. I discuss the changes I personally notice in my libido, motivation, drive and assertiveness when I'm consistently strength training, while being clear about where the evidence ends and my own beliefs begin.

My current philosophy is simple:

I don't train for looks. I train for purpose.

I prioritise compound movements such as squats, deadlifts, presses, pulls and dips because they allow us to use large amounts of muscle and develop strength efficiently.

And yes, I also explain why I don't believe in arm day!

If you're new to resistance training, however, there's no need to jump straight into heavy lifting.

Training should be structured, progressive and appropriate to your current ability. Build your foundations, progress gradually and give your body time to adapt.

• Strength training and male fertility
• Resistance training and sperm health
• My experience of exercise following male factor infertility
• Oxidative stress, inflammation and metabolic health
• Strength training and testosterone
• Acute versus longer-term testosterone responses
• Why I prioritise compound movements
• How to structure and progress strength training
• Training, recovery and avoiding doing too much
• Building strength for lifelong health

Strength training isn't a guaranteed treatment for male infertility.

But it can support many aspects of wider physical health and may help create a healthier environment for male reproductive function.

The goal isn't to completely transform yourself overnight.

Train with purpose. Progress gradually. Give yourself time.

And build strength that supports you not only through fertility treatment, but throughout the rest of your life.

Find out more about The Male Fertility PT, including coaching and support for men looking to improve their health and lifestyle while trying to conceive:

Website: www.themalefertilitypt.com

Instagram: @themalefertilitypt

Email: [email protected]

For male fertility information, community and support, find The Male Fertility Hub.

Website: www.themalefertilityhub.com

You can also listen to The Male Fertility Podcast for conversations, personal stories and expert discussions covering male infertility and the wider fertility experience.

Stay strong,

Ciaran

It's one of the most common questions I'm asked, and in this episode I explore what the current research tells us about the relationship between exercise, sperm health and male fertility.

As someone who has experienced male infertility myself, I understand how overwhelming lifestyle advice can feel. My aim is to cut through the noise and provide honest, evidence-based information that helps you make informed decisions about your health.

In this episode, we discuss why exercise should be viewed as one important piece of the fertility puzzle rather than a cure, and why improving your overall health may help create a healthier environment for sperm production.

• Can exercise improve male fertility?
• What the latest research says about exercise and sperm health.
• Why exercise benefits far more than just your reproductive system.
• The relationship between exercise, weight management and fertility.
• Supporting healthy hormone function through exercise.
• Why mental health is one of the biggest reasons men start exercising during fertility treatment.
• Why consistency is more important than finding the "perfect" training programme.
• Why exercise is one piece of a much bigger fertility puzzle.

• Exercise supports almost every major system in the body, including cardiovascular, metabolic and mental health.
• Current research suggests regular, structured exercise may improve semen parameters in many men.
• Exercise should be viewed as part of a wider healthy lifestyle alongside good nutrition, quality sleep, stress management and avoiding smoking.
• Every man is different. There is no single exercise programme that guarantees improved fertility.
• The goal isn't to become an elite athlete. The goal is to become a healthier version of yourself.

🌐 Website

www.themalefertilitypt.com

📸 Instagram

@themalefertilitypt

📧 Email

[email protected]

Looking for support from men who truly understand what you're going through?

The Male Fertility Hub is a dedicated online community for men navigating fertility challenges. Inside you'll find expert education, live support meetings, practical resources and a community of men who understand what you're going through.

Visit:

www.themalefertilityhub.com

The Male Fertility PT Podcast helps men trying to conceive while navigating fertility challenges to improve their health through evidence-based education, practical lifestyle advice and honest conversations about male fertility. Hosted by Ciaran Hannington, a men's health coach with lived experience of male infertility, each episode explores the latest research while helping men take back control of their health.

If this episode helped you better understand the relationship between exercise and male fertility, please follow the podcast, leave a review and share it with someone who might need to hear it. Every follow, review and share helps more men access honest, evidence-based information and reminds them that they are not facing fertility challenges alone.

Until the next workout, take care.

Episode 1: The Truth about: The Male Fertility PT

In the first episode of The Male Fertility PT Podcast, Ciaran shares the story behind The Male Fertility PT and the male fertility journey that changed the course of his life.

Fourteen years ago, Ciaran was diagnosed with severe male factor infertility. With an extremely low sperm count, poor sperm motility and less than 1% sperm morphology, he was told that ICSI treatment would likely be his only option.

Like many men facing infertility, he was advised to improve his diet, exercise more, reduce stress, reduce alcohol intake and consider supplements. The problem? Nobody explained what that actually meant.

Have you been diagnosed with low sperm count, poor sperm motility, abnormal sperm morphology or male factor infertility? Wondering whether exercise, diet, weight loss, stress management or lifestyle changes can improve sperm health and male fertility? This episode explores the questions many men ask after receiving a difficult fertility diagnosis.

In this honest and personal episode, Ciaran discusses the emotional impact of male infertility, the effect it had on his identity and mental health, and the confusion he faced trying to understand what lifestyle changes could genuinely improve sperm health, fertility outcomes and overall wellbeing.

He also shares how focusing on exercise, nutrition, body composition, alcohol intake, stress management and overall health helped improve his semen analysis and inspired him to create The Male Fertility PT to help other men navigate the same challenges.

In this episode:

• Male factor infertility

• Low sperm count

• Poor sperm motility

• Sperm morphology

• Exercise and male fertility

• Nutrition and fertility

• Men's health and fertility

• Mental health and infertility

• IVF and ICSI treatment

• Lifestyle changes and sperm health

• The origins of The Male Fertility PT

If you've ever been told to "improve your lifestyle" but weren't sure where to start, this episode is for you.

🔍 NAVIGATING MALE FERTILITY

Looking for support and insight on male infertility? This podcast offers honest conversations, evidence-informed education, practical lifestyle advice and lived experience from someone who has been through fertility treatment and male factor infertility.

Subscribe for weekly discussions on male fertility, sperm health, men's health, fitness, exercise, nutrition, lifestyle and fertility treatment.

⚠️ DISCLAIMER

This podcast provides education, information and peer support around male fertility, men's health, fitness and lifestyle. It should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your own medical care.

Follow The Male Fertility PT:

Instagram: @themalefertilitypt

Community: https://www.nexysfertility.com/community

Email: [email protected]