Joining us this week on The Male Fertility Podcast is Tony Suckling, here to share his long and emotional fertility journey.

Tony’s story began in 2012, shortly after he and his wife got married. Like many couples, they believed getting pregnant would happen naturally. But after years of trying with no success, Tony decided to take a basic sperm test. The results showed a low sperm count, prompting him to make lifestyle changes in hopes of improving it.

When nothing worked, they turned to a fertility clinic. At their first consultation, Tony was told they wouldn’t be able to conceive naturally. He describes the heartbreak of hearing those words, and the isolation he felt in the aftermath.

Tony opens up about how the clinic’s focus was solely on his wife – despite him being the one with low sperm count. No further tests were done on him, leaving him feeling overlooked. He shares their experience with ICSI, detailing their first cycle and how he emotionally shut down, avoiding conversations and isolating himself.

After stepping away from the fertility world for a while, Tony and his wife decided to try again. He talks about finding support from Melanie and Johnathon – two people who became instrumental in helping him through the journey, unlike the clinic that offered little emotional support.

Tony then shares a deeply personal moment – his wife falling pregnant naturally, only to suffer a miscarriage at 7 weeks. The loss pushed them to seek out a new clinic in Spain, where they experienced exceptional care and compassion. Even when Covid prevented them from traveling to retrieve their embryos, the clinic stayed supportive. Last year, they were finally able to move forward – and now have a beautiful daughter.

Throughout the episode, Tony highlights the importance of opening up. He describes how talking to others became a form of therapy, helping him process the emotional weight of their journey. He also shares the impact of a DNA fragmentation test, which revealed critical insights that had previously been missed by their first clinic.

Tony and Ciaran reflect on their shared experiences, including an Everest trip that became a significant turning point for both of them. Together, they discuss the emotional lows, the feelings of inadequacy, and how connecting with others helped them heal.

Tony also addresses the atmosphere in fertility clinics, noting how clinical and tense they often feel. He advocates for more open conversations and less isolation for couples going through treatment.

His biggest piece of advice: Get tested early and thoroughly. Don’t avoid it – taking action puts you one step ahead.

In this week’s episode, Shaun and Ciaran are joined by Marc Bear to talk about his long fight with infertility. From the initial assumption that starting a family would “just happen” to confronting the reality of a fertility diagnosis, Marc shares the highs and lows of his path to fatherhood.

After years of trying to conceive and facing mounting frustration, he was eventually diagnosed with Klinefelter Syndrome, a chromosomal condition that impacts fertility and other areas of life. The diagnosis was both a revelation and a challenge, helping him make sense of his childhood experiences while presenting new hurdles in his journey to become a father.

Missteps along the way, including poorly handled medical tests and a lack of male-focused fertility resources, only added to the emotional weight. He and his partner tried IVF but found that their local hospitals lacked the necessary facilities for male infertility treatment, and postcode-based funding restrictions complicated the process further.

Despite the challenges, Marc and his wife remained determined. They explored options like micro-TESE surgery and eventually made the difficult decision to proceed with donor sperm.

After further tests and procedures, their persistence was rewarded when his wife fell pregnant through IVF and donor sperm. The anxiety that accompanied the pregnancy was immense, but when their son was born, it disappeared for Marc.

Throughout the journey, the emotional toll was undeniable. Therapy became a vital tool for processing feelings of loss, frustration, and identity shifts. Finding a supportive community, like private groups, and taking small moments to connect through simple walks outside helped him and his wife hold onto hope during the toughest times.

Marc explains, educating yourself and those around you is empowering and helps foster understanding in a world where male infertility is often misunderstood. His advice to others facing similar challenges is simple but profound: find people you feel comfortable talking to, and don’t underestimate the power of sharing your story.

Follow Our Sponsors:

This series is proudly sponsored by @exseedhealth, trailblazers in male fertility testing. Ease the stress with their at-home sperm test, offering a convenient and reliable way to check sperm health without clinic visits. Use code MFP15 for an exclusive 15% off their range. Take control of your fertility journey with ExSeed Health.

It is also sponsored by Fertility Family, who provide Impryl, the unique supplement for conception which is recommended by fertility specialists for both men and women. Impryl is made from activated micronutrients which have been clinically proven to significantly improve live birth rates for men and women. Use code MF10 for a discount exclusive to our listeners.

Where You Can Find Us:

• Follow The Male Fertility Podcast on Instagram: @themalefertilitypodcast
• Follow Ciaran Hannington on Instagram: @themalefertilitypt
• Follow Shaun Greenaway on Instagram: @knackered_knackers
• Subscribe to The Male Fertility Podcast on YouTube: The Male Fertility Podcast - YouTube

Navigating Male Fertility Topics:

As we explore different facets of the male fertility journey, we want our content to be...

This week on The Male Fertility Podcast, Shaun and Ciaran sit down with Matt to hear his deeply personal story of navigating male infertility.

After trying and failing to conceive, Matt and his wife went to the GP - however, it was only his wife that was referred for tests.

A whole year and a half later, Matt was finally referred for a sperm test. Sadly he was initially misdiagnosed with a low count, whereas it later transpired that they'd misread his results....he actually had no sperm.

He reflects on how common male infertility is and the healing power of breaking the silence — sharing how opening up at work led to surprising empathy and others sharing their own stories.

With candour, Matt discusses spiralling after his diagnosis, turning to alcohol, and the moment he realised he needed to change. Through lifestyle shifts and incredible support from his partner, he’s now taking back control of his journey.

His advice? Don’t shut yourself off. Talk, communicate, and find strength in the people around you.

Follow Our Sponsors:

This series is proudly sponsored by @exseedhealth, trailblazers in male fertility testing. Ease the stress with their at-home sperm test, offering a convenient and reliable way to check sperm health without clinic visits. Use code MFP15 for an exclusive 15% off their range. Take control of your fertility journey with ExSeed Health.

It is also sponsored by Fertility Family, who provide Impryl, the unique supplement for conception which is recommended by fertility specialists for both men and women. Impryl is made from activated micronutrients which have been clinically proven to significantly improve live birth rates for men and women. Use code MF10 for a discount exclusive to our listeners.

Where You Can Find Us:

• Follow The Male Fertility Podcast on Instagram: @themalefertilitypodcast
• Follow Ciaran Hannington on Instagram: @themalefertilitypt
• Follow Shaun Greenaway on Instagram: @knackered_knackers
• Subscribe to The Male Fertility Podcast on YouTube: The Male Fertility Podcast - YouTube

Navigating Male Fertility Topics:

As we explore different facets of the male fertility journey, we want our content to be easily discoverable for those searching for information. If you're seeking topics related to "male infertility," subscribe and follow on your preferred podcast platform. We're here to provide insights, experiences, and support, ensuring you don't miss any valuable discussions on male fertility.