Men’s health | 12.6.2026
Male fertility: facts and tips
Male fertility challenges are a common factor when trying to conceive. In around 40 to 50% of cases, the cause lies with the male partner or is a combination of factors from both partners. In this article, an andrologist explains how sperm quality, hormones and lifestyle affect fertility – and the practical steps that can help.
“Fertility is a shared journey, and challenges seldom lie with just one partner.”
What does ‘infertile’ mean?
“Male infertility isn't a single condition,” says Dr Zimmermann. “It’s an umbrella term for a variety of underlying causes that can make conceiving a child difficult or prevent it altogether.”
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), infertility is defined as the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.
Note that fertility is a shared journey, and challenges seldom lie with just one partner. Often, it is a combination of factors from both sides interacting with each other.
According to Dr Zimmermann, “In most cases, it is a matter of impaired male fertility – not complete infertility. True sterility, which refers to permanent conditions that make pregnancy completely impossible, is actually quite rare for men.”
