Why Male Fertility Testing Matters Now More Than Ever

Male infertility is receiving more attention than ever. The global male infertility market is expected to grow nearly 73% by 2034, according to Fortune Business Insights, reflecting a growing recognition that infertility is a shared reproductive health issue, not just a women's one.

In fact, male factors play a role in approximately half of infertility cases. Yet many men still aren't taking a proactive approach to their fertility health, often only getting a sperm test once there's already a problem. But if you're planning to start a family, you need that baseline data to understand where you stand and what to do next.

So why is getting a sperm test so urgent right now?

Sperm counts are declining

A 2023 analysis published in Human Reproduction Update found that sperm concentration dropped by 51.6% globally between 1973 and 2011, and the rate of decline increased after 2000.

Read our blog post: What Does Low Sperm Count Mean for Male Fertility

These findings don't mean that every man's fertility is declining. But they do highlight the importance of understanding your own reproductive health instead of assuming everything is normal.

Men are having kids later, and sperm quality declines with age

Men are also choosing to start a family later in life. US paternal age rose from 27.4 to 30.9 between 1972 and 2015, and the share of newborns with a father over 40 nearly doubled in that time, from 4.1% to 8.9%, according to a study by Stanford.

Read our blog post: Why Every Man Over 35 Should Get A Male Fertility Test

While it's often assumed only women have a biological clock, age can affect male reproductive health too. As men get older, sperm quality can decline, and the risk of pregnancy complications can rise. Men over 35 have been found to conceive at roughly half the rate of men 30 and under, and men over 40 are 30% less likely to conceive within 12 months than men under 30. Sperm DNA fragmentation also increases with age.

Infertility is becoming more common

Roughly 1 in 6 people (17.5%) worldwide are affected by infertility, according to the WHO.

Male infertility rates specifically have been rising. Between 1990 and 2021, the global prevalence of male infertility increased by an average of 0.49% per year, and it's projected to keep climbing faster than female infertility through 2040, according to a 2025 study in Human Reproduction.

What that means for you

Despite these trends, most men still don't think about their fertility health until something goes wrong. That means when they first start trying to conceive, they're going in blind, with no data or baseline to work from.

The only way to know where you stand is to get tested

You can't measure your sperm count or motility based on how you feel, your sexual performance or your general health. A semen analysis measures important characteristics of your sperm and semen and can help identify any issues that may require further testing or care.

Read our blog post: Understanding Sperm Test Results: A Clear Guide for Men

The results give you something to act on, whether that means specific lifestyle changes to improve your sperm health or follow-up tests and treatment if something needs attention.

We know more about male fertility health now, and more support is available

The medical community has a better understanding of male reproductive health today, with more options, treatments, and supports available than ever before.

We know there are meaningful ways to improve sperm health. Alcohol is linked to lower semen quality, according to a study of over 16,000 men, and cutting back on drinking and reducing excess weight have both been linked to better sperm health in early research. Smoking, certain medications, and hot tubs or saunas have also been associated with changes in sperm quality.

Read our blog post: Science-Backed Lifestyle Changes That Improve Male Fertility

Some men who are found to have a correctable issue, like a varicocele, can improve their sperm quality and chances of conceiving with treatment, according to a 2023 review of 351 studies.

Diagnostic tools have also improved, especially for cases where conception once seemed impossible. In 2025, an AI system called STAR (Sperm Tracking and Recovery) found sperm in a man with azoospermia, a condition where none is visible using standard methods, leading to the first documented pregnancy from the technique, according to a case report in The Lancet.

Read our blog post: Azoospermia: Your Guide to Causes, Diagnosis, and Solutions

Timing matters

If you're planning to have kids down the road, testing sooner gives you more time to act on the results. Semen quality affects whether conception happens as well as how long it takes. Men with sperm counts and motility below WHO reference values conceived more slowly and at lower rates than those above them, according to a 2021 study of over 6,000 men in Human Reproduction.

Changes in lifestyle or treatment generally won't show up immediately in a semen analysis because new sperm take about 2–3 months to develop, so starting as early as possible gives you more time if you end up requiring treatment or further intervention.

Find out where you stand

You don't have to wait until you're struggling to conceive before thinking about male fertility.

A baseline semen analysis can give you real data about your sperm health and help you understand whether you need to look into anything further.

Hera makes the process easy. It doesn't require a doctor's appointment and gives you clear answers. Find a lab near you and take the first step toward understanding your reproductive health.