Optimising Conception Outcomes: The Importance of Engaging Male Patients
In this episode, we’re joined by naturopath Natalie Pickering, who sheds light on the often-overlooked role of men in the fertility journey. Natalie highlights the lack of attention paid to men’s health and sperm quality, particularly in cases where women are undergoing intensive fertility treatment without a full picture of their partner’s contribution.
Natalie emphasises that men are 50% of the fertility equation, yet are frequently under-assessed and under-supported in clinical settings. She discusses why it’s essential to engage men early, conduct proper screening, and consider the significant impact of sperm health on conception, pregnancy outcomes, and the health of future generations.
Listeners will also hear practical insights into how sperm health can be rapidly improved with targeted herbal, nutritional, and lifestyle interventions, and why this presents a powerful opportunity for practitioners.
In this Episode:
2:33 – Welcome Natalie
2:58 – Some of the most common male fertility challenges and empowering men to take an active approach
4:14 – The global decline in fertility
5:10 – Sperm analysis and the importance of sperm health for good IVF outcomes
8:01 – Sperm health is not only important for conception, but also miscarriage prevention and placental health
9:18 – Baby’s health is a blueprint set at the moment of conception
10:19 – Sperm health can be improved in a short amount of time
11:25 – The importance of education
12:44 – Environmental factors
14:58 – Heat and low motility
15:37 – The impact of obesity, smoking, and vaping
16:27 – Nutritional considerations
17:43 – Antioxidants
18:04 – DNA fragmentation and the lack of testing
20:05 - Sperm motility, challenges and engaging with the embryologist
24:25 – Improving blastocyst progression/DNA fragmentation
27:00 – Herbs/nutrients for DNA fragmentation and motility
31:11 – Seminal microbiome
32:03 – Herbs and nutrients for morphology and low testosterone
33:10 – Considering heavy metals and methylation
34:23 – Useful testing
35:45 – Low testosterone
38:14 – The impact of stress
40:07 – Lifestyle factors
43:57 – Age in male fertility
46:01 – How to engage male patients in clinic
49:04 – Thank you Natalie
Bio: Natalie has been a naturopath since 1996 and specialises in women’s health, natural fertility, and pregnancy care with qualifications in natural fertility management. She has spent over 2 decades helping women with fertility. Her expertise includes IVF support, miscarriage prevention, postpartum care and child health. She founded the Fertility Focus School and created the highly successful Create Conception fertility programme to support couples struggling to conceive. While her practice is centred on women, she also has a deep passion for working with babies and children.