The Biggest Fertility Myth We Need to Leave Behind


A major new Lancet review is reinforcing something fertility specialists have suspected for years: the health of the father before conception doesn't just influence fertility, it may shape pregnancy, placental development, and the lifelong health of his future child.


The authors conclude that a father's health before conception doesn't just influence whether pregnancy happens. It may also shape placental development, pregnancy complications, childhood health, and even the health of future generations through epigenetic programming.


This isn't simply about sperm count anymore.


It's about the biological information carried within sperm and how a father's overall health contributes to the earliest stages of life.


What Is Preconception Health?

Preconception health refers to the physical, nutritional, metabolic, hormonal, and environmental health of both partners before pregnancy begins.

While we've long understood that maternal health affects pregnancy outcomes, research is increasingly showing that paternal health deserves equal attention.

Sperm contribute much more than DNA. They also carry epigenetic information, chemical signals that help regulate how genes are expressed during early embryonic development.


When sperm health is compromised, those signals may also be altered.


What the New Lancet Review Found

The review highlights growing evidence that a father's health before conception may influence:

  • Fertility and time to pregnancy
  • Embryo development
  • Placental function
  • Miscarriage risk
  • Pregnancy complications
  • Childhood metabolic health
  • Neurodevelopment
  • Long-term health of future generations

While researchers continue to study exactly how these effects occur, one message is becoming increasingly clear:


Optimizing a father's health before conception isn't just about improving fertility, it may also help support the lifelong health of his future child.


Why a Semen Analysis Isn't the Whole Story

A routine semen analysis measures:

  • Count
  • Motility
  • Morphology

Those are important.


But they don't tell us everything. Many men with "normal" semen analyses still have underlying issues that can affect fertility, including:

  • Elevated DNA fragmentation
  • Hormonal imbalances
  • Oxidative stress
  • Nutrient deficiencies
  • Chronic inflammation
  • Environmental toxin exposure
  • Metabolic dysfunction

These factors may not show up on a standard semen analysis, but they can significantly impact reproductive outcomes.


This Is Why I Test Both Partners

One of the most common things I hear from couples is: "His semen analysis was normal."

That's reassuring, but it's not always the end of the story.

At Vital Fertility, I believe both partners deserve a comprehensive evaluation.


Depending on the couple's history, that may include:

  • Advanced semen analysis
  • DNA fragmentation testing
  • Male hormone evaluation
  • Nutritional assessment
  • Inflammation markers
  • Metabolic health
  • Environmental exposures
  • Lifestyle factors affecting sperm quality

Because fertility isn't simply about getting pregnant. It's about understanding what's creating the healthiest possible pregnancy.


The Good News: Sperm Are Dynamic

Unlike a woman's egg supply, sperm are continuously produced.

That means many aspects of sperm health can improve with targeted interventions.

Nutrition, sleep, exercise, stress management, reducing toxin exposure, correcting nutrient deficiencies, and treating underlying medical conditions can all play an important role in supporting healthier sperm over time.

While every situation is unique, this is one reason preconception care can be so valuable.


My Clinical Perspective

One of the reasons I love this new Lancet review is that it validates what many fertility specialists have believed for years: Healthy pregnancies begin long before conception.

When we optimize the health of both partners, not just the woman, we're supporting more than fertility.

We're helping create the healthiest possible foundation for pregnancy, fetal development, and the next generation.


Frequently Asked Questions

  • Should men prepare for pregnancy too?

Yes. Current research suggests that a father's health before conception may influence fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and aspects of a child's future health.


  • Is a normal semen analysis enough?

Not always. A semen analysis provides valuable information, but it doesn't evaluate factors such as DNA fragmentation, hormones, inflammation, or metabolic health.


  • When should men start preparing for pregnancy?

Because sperm take approximately 70–90 days to develop, it's ideal to begin optimizing health at least three months before trying to conceive.


Final Thoughts

Preparing for pregnancy isn't just about timing ovulation or taking a prenatal vitamin.

It's about creating the healthiest biological environment possible, for both partners.

As our understanding of reproductive medicine continues to evolve, one message is becoming increasingly clear:

Healthy babies begin with healthy parents.


References:

Huang JY, et al. More equitable preconception health: paternal life course opportunities for better pregnancy, child, and family outcomes. The Lancet. 2026;407(10537):1459-1470. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00148-0

Sanyal D, et al. Reproductive Sciences. (2023) – DNA fragmentation and male fertility evaluation 

Minhas S, et al. European Urology. (2021) – comprehensive male fertility evaluation.

What If The Missing Piece Isn't HER?




A basic semen analysis doesn't always reveal the whole story.



At Vital Fertility, we evaluate both partners to uncover hidden factors that may be affecting fertility, embryo development, implantation and pregnancy outcomes. From hormones and DNA fragmentation to inflammation, nutrition, and environmental exposures.