Let's start with a number that might surprise you: male factors contribute to roughly 40 to 50 percent of all infertility cases. That is not a niche problem. That is half the couples who struggle to conceive. Yet most of the conversation around fertility still centers on women. The result is that a lot of men walk around with a head full of bad information about their own biology.
Here is what the research actually says about the most common myths floating around.
Myth 1: "Fertility is a woman's problem"
This is the big one. If you grew up hearing that infertility is something to test for "after she sees a doctor," you are not alone. But the data tells a different story. A 2023 review in Fertility and Sterility found that when couples struggle to conceive, a male factor is identified about 50 percent of the time. Sometimes it is the sole cause. Sometimes it is a contributing factor alongside female issues.
The practical takeaway: if you and your partner have been trying for a year without success (six months if she is over 35), both of you should get checked. A semen analysis is simple, non-invasive, and gives you a baseline. Waiting on the sidelines while assuming it is "her problem" wastes time you might not have.
Myth 2: "If you can ejaculate, your sperm are fine"
This one feels logical, but it is wrong. Ejaculation volume and sperm quality are two completely different things. You can produce a normal amount of fluid and still have low sperm count, poor motility (movement), or abnormal morphology (shape).
A 2020 study in Human Reproduction Update analyzed data from over 100,000 men and found that about 15 percent of men with normal ejaculate volume had clinically significant abnormalities in sperm quality. You cannot see motility or DNA fragmentation with the naked eye. The only way to know is a lab test.
Myth 3: "Boxers are always better than briefs for fertility"
This is partially true, but the nuance matters. The testicles sit outside the body because sperm production runs best a few degrees below core body temperature. Tight underwear can trap heat and raise scrotal temperature. A 2018 study in Human Reproduction looked at 656 men and found that those who wore briefs had slightly lower sperm counts than men who wore boxers.
But here is the catch: the difference was modest. For most men, switching from briefs to boxers will not turn a poor semen analysis into a great one. It is a marginal factor. If you are already dealing with low sperm count, switching underwear is one of the easiest things to try. But do not expect it to solve everything. And if you are already fertile, your underwear choice is probably irrelevant.
Myth 4: "Sauna use will permanently damage your fertility"
This one comes up a lot, especially since Oakman is a sauna company. The concern is valid: heat can temporarily suppress sperm production. A 2021 study in Andrology found that men who used a sauna for 15 to 20 minutes, four times per week, for three months, showed a temporary drop in sperm count and motility.
But here is what most people miss: the effect was reversible. After the men stopped sauna use for three months, their sperm parameters returned to baseline. The testicles have a remarkable ability to recover from short-term heat exposure.
If you are actively trying to conceive, it might be smart to scale back sauna use during the partner's fertile window. But a few sessions per week is not going to cause permanent damage. The myth that one sauna session can sterilize you is not supported by the evidence.
Myth 5: "Low testosterone means you are infertile"
Testosterone gets a lot of attention in men's health, but it is not the main driver of fertility. Sperm production is controlled by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), not by testosterone levels directly. You can have normal testosterone and poor sperm quality. You can also have low testosterone and still have adequate sperm production.
A 2019 paper in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism noted that men with low testosterone often have normal sperm counts. The reverse is also true. If you are concerned about fertility, a semen analysis tells you more than a testosterone blood test.
Myth 6: "Age does not matter for men"
We hear this all the time: "Men can have kids at any age." Biologically, that is not accurate. While men do not experience a sudden fertility cliff like women do, sperm quality does decline with age. A 2020 meta-analysis in Maturitas found that men over 40 had significantly lower sperm motility, higher DNA fragmentation, and a longer time to pregnancy compared to men under 30.
The risks are not just about conception. Older paternal age is associated with slightly higher rates of autism, schizophrenia, and certain genetic mutations in offspring. The effect is small, but it is real.
If you are planning to have children in your late 30s or 40s, it is worth getting a baseline semen analysis earlier rather than later. It gives you information to work with.
Myth 7: "Masturbation depletes your sperm count"
This is one of the most persistent myths in men's health. The idea is that "saving up" for a few days will boost sperm count for conception. The reality is more nuanced.
Sperm production is continuous. The body produces millions of sperm per day. If you ejaculate daily, your sperm count per ejaculate will be slightly lower than if you abstain for two to three days. But the difference is usually not clinically significant for most men.
The World Health Organization guidelines for semen analysis recommend two to seven days of abstinence before testing. That is the sweet spot. Beyond seven days, sperm quality actually declines because older sperm accumulate DNA damage. Abstaining for weeks does not help.
If you are trying to conceive, daily or every-other-day intercourse during the fertile window is fine. You are not going to run out.
Myth 8: "Lifestyle changes do not matter once you have low sperm count"
This is defeatist and wrong. Sperm production takes about 64 to 72 days. That means any lifestyle change you make today will show up in your semen analysis about two months from now. It is one of the fastest-responding systems in the body.
A 2022 study in Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology reviewed over 50 trials and found that men who improved diet, increased exercise, reduced alcohol intake, and quit smoking saw measurable improvements in sperm count, motility, and morphology within three months.
The most effective changes based on the data:
- Weight loss: Obesity is linked to lower sperm quality. Losing 5 to 10 percent of body weight can improve outcomes.
- Nutrition: Zinc (oysters, pumpkin seeds), selenium (Brazil nuts, tuna), and folate (leafy greens) are consistently linked to better sperm health.
- Sleep: Less than six hours per night is associated with lower testosterone and reduced sperm quality.
- Alcohol: More than five drinks per week correlates with lower sperm count. Heavy drinking (15+ drinks per week) has a stronger effect.
- Smoking and vaping: Both are associated with DNA fragmentation in sperm.
None of this requires perfection. But writing off lifestyle factors as irrelevant is a mistake.
What to do with this information
If you are trying to conceive, start with a semen analysis. It is the single most informative test for male fertility. If the results are normal, you have a baseline. If they are not, you have data to work with.
If you are not trying to conceive yet, the same habits that support fertility-good sleep, balanced nutrition, moderate exercise, limited alcohol-also support your general health. There is no downside.
And if you hear someone repeat one of these myths, you now have the evidence to set the record straight.
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Fertility is complex and individual. If you have concerns about your fertility, consult a urologist or reproductive specialist.