Is Your Partner’s Health Affecting Your Fertility?

Male fertility contributes to 40% of conception struggles yet it’s rarely talked about.

When a couple struggles to conceive, the focus almost always falls on the woman. Hormone tests, cycle tracking, bloodwork—she’s often the one doing it all. But here’s the truth: male factor fertility issues are involved in roughly 40% of infertility cases.

At RESTORED HEALTH, we believe in supporting both partners on the path to parenthood. Yes your partner’s health could be affecting your fertility, and understanding how to assess and optimize it can make all the difference.

Let’s unpack what your partner’s body might be telling you.

1. Key Male Blood Markers for Sperm Health

Just like we check hormone and nutrient levels in women, we do the same for men. These are the foundational blood markers I review in fertility-focused lab work:

• Testosterone (Total & Free): Needed for sperm production and libido. Low levels = lower fertility potential.

• LH & FSH: These pituitary hormones regulate sperm and testosterone production.

• Vitamin D: Crucial for hormone balance and sperm quality. Deficiency is linked to low sperm count and motility.

• Zinc & Selenium: Powerful antioxidants that protect sperm from DNA damage.

• Thyroid markers (TSH, Free T3, Free T4): Thyroid health affects energy, metabolism, and hormone production even in men.

  
  

If these markers are off—even slightly—it could be silently affecting sperm quality and your chances of conceiving.

2. Nutrition and Lifestyle Changes That Matter

The quality of sperm is influenced by far more than just age. Nutrition, stress, sleep, and even toxin exposure can impact sperm health and fast.

Here’s what matters most:

• Processed food = poor sperm quality.

• Alcohol & smoking = increased DNA fragmentation.

• Chronic stress = low testosterone & poor motility.

• Lack of sleep = disrupted hormone balance.

• Plastics & endocrine disruptors = impaired hormone signaling.

  
  

Encourage nutrient-dense, whole-food meals that support hormone production. Think: pasture-raised protein, omega-3s, leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and minerals like magnesium and zinc.

Book a clarity call for couples here. We’ll walk through how to support both partners with personalized, root-cause strategies.

3. What I Look For in Male Partner Lab Work

When I work with couples at RESTORED HEALTH, I don’t just focus on sperm count. Here’s what a complete assessment for the male partner includes:

• Comprehensive bloodwork to evaluate testosterone, thyroid, nutrient status, and inflammation

• Semen analysis that includes motility, morphology, and volume—not just count

• Oxidative stress markers (when available) to assess sperm DNA integrity

• Lifestyle & toxin exposure review, including personal care products and environmental stressors

• Digestive health—because poor gut health = poor nutrient absorption = suboptimal fertility

  
  

These deeper assessments often reveal imbalances that are easy to miss but critical to fix. Optimizing your partner’s health isn’t just about fertility it’s about setting the stage for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Additional Tips & Mistakes to Avoid

✅ Start testing early, male fertility can decline just like female fertility. 

❌ Don’t assume “normal” sperm count = healthy sperm, DNA quality and motility matter more. 

✅ Encourage both partners to test together, fertility is a shared journey. ❌ Avoid toxic exposure from plastics, pesticides, and personal care products, these disrupt hormone signaling. 

✅ Track progress every 90 days, it takes about 3 months to fully regenerate a new batch of sperm.

Your Fertility Is a Team Effort

If you’re feeling like you’re doing everything “right” but still not seeing results, it’s time to look deeper—and look together. Because yes, your partner’s health could be affecting your fertility.

At RESTORED HEALTH, we support couples by going beyond standard labs and surface-level advice. Together, we uncover the root cause of what’s holding you back—and create a step-by-step plan to support both of you on your path to parenthood.

Book a clarity call for couples here. Let’s connect the dots, together.