Feb 26 2025 58 mins
In this episode of The Male Fertility Podcast, Shaun and Ciaran sit down with Carl Tracey to discuss his fertility journey—the challenges, emotions, and lessons learned along the way.
Carl shares how he and his wife Catherine struggled to conceive for two years before seeking medical help. He opens up about the confusion of receiving his semen analysis results, which revealed low sperm count, poor motility, and abnormal morphology. He describes the frustration, denial, and eventual acceptance that followed, including the discovery of a minor varicocele.
Carl reflects on the emotional impact of infertility, how his wife’s own IVF conception provided some perspective, and the coping mechanisms they relied on—such as humor and comfort—to navigate the stress of treatment. He also discusses society’s silence around male fertility and the importance of breaking the stigma.
His advice? Take it step by step and focus on what you can control.
Catherine also started her own podcast with her friend, and the two explore the complexities of navigating fertility issues. Check out Catherine & Sian’s IVF BFF Podcast for more fertility conversations!
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.
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