Hi friends, we’re really glad you’re here.

Some days it feels like your whole future is being boiled down to a handful of lab values and a single semen analysis. You’re told to “watch the numbers,” but not how to keep them from taking over your identity, or how your partner can do anything more than wait on the sidelines.

In today’s edition, we’re unpacking both: a gentle guide to reading fertility labs without letting them define you, and a realistic 90‑day plan for male partners who want to actively support your chances. If you’ve been craving more agency and less self‑blame, consider this your invitation to shift from “What’s wrong with me?” to “What can we do next, together?”

Let’s get started.

In this Issue We'll Cover...

Fertility, Optimized: A 90‐Day Plan for Men

Male factor infertility is involved in about half of infertility cases, but most men are never given a clear, practical plan for what they can actually do. If you have ever wished there were more concrete steps for him than “try to be healthy,” this one is for you both. This Q&A lays out a realistic 90‑day roadmap that focuses on the biggest levers—habits, health, stress, and sleep—so he has specific, doable ways to support your chances right alongside you, without needing to turn into a full‑time biohacker.

👉 Read: Fertility, Optimized: A 90‐Day Plan for Men

Male Fertility: What We Know (and What Men Can Actually Do)

Male factor fertility issues play a role in up to half of infertility cases, and newer research is paying much closer attention to what’s driving that, and which changes actually move the needle for him. From global declines in semen quality and climate-related exposures to very practical questions about lifestyle, weight, and medical treatment, the takeaway is that male fertility is both vulnerable and surprisingly modifiable.

  • ​The effects of a lifestyle intervention for men in infertile couples
    Put simply, male fertility is no longer treated as an afterthought, and men are increasingly being offered real levers—behavioral, environmental, and medical—to support their side of the equation. For couples, this means a more balanced conversation in the clinic, more reason to include him in preconception planning, and growing room for optimism that targeted changes over a 3–6 month window can make a difference in outcomes. READ ARTICLE HERE

  • Microplastics, Testicles, and the New Fertility Anxiety
    GQ recently covered research finding microplastics in human testicular tissue and semen for the first time, raising questions about how modern environments may be impacting sperm health and fueling a new wave of male fertility anxiety. READ ARTICLE HERE​

  • “Everything You Need to Know About Male Fertility” Goes Mainstream
    A GQ feature breaks down declining sperm counts, age, lifestyle, and what men can actually do—signaling that conversations about semen quality and preconception health are moving from niche forums into mainstream men’s media. READ ARTICLE HERE​

Reading Fertility Labs Without Letting Them Define You

Refreshing your portal and seeing a “low” number next to an acronym you barely understand can feel like someone just graded your future. It is so easy for your brain to turn AMH, FSH, or AFC into “good” or “bad,” or even “this is who I am now,” instead of what they actually are: logistics tools. This piece breaks down what your most common fertility labs can and cannot say about your chances, and walks you through research‑backed ways to calm the “my number is everything” spiral using mind–body strategies and self‑compassion scripts you can actually lean on on results day.

👉 Read: Reading Fertility Labs Without Letting Them Define You

If you enjoyed this issue of Path to Parenthood, be sure to share with anyone you know who is currently on a TTC journey ❤

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