Episode 15

full
Published on:

8th Apr 2026

Male Bag | In That Room: Samples, Pressure and Abstinence

Nobody tells you about the room.

The wipeable surfaces. The remote control in a freezer bag. The silence outside the door, and your brain convincing you that everyone out there is talking about you.

In this episode, Ciaran and Shaun answer two listener questions about one of the most unspoken parts of the fertility journey: giving a semen sample.

The first question came in via Instagram: how do you deal with the pressure of producing a sample? Both hosts share their honest experiences, including the time Shaun couldn't do it and had to hand back an empty pot. They talk through what genuinely helps: communication, routine, timing, and being kind to yourself.

The second topic came from inside the NeXYs community, where members realised they'd all been told completely different things about abstinence periods. So Shaun took it directly to Professor Alan Pacey MBE, one of the UK's leading male fertility experts, and shares his answer in full.

💬 What to Expect

  • The honest reality of walking into that room for the first time
  • The time Shaun couldn't produce a sample and had to hand back an empty pot
  • How communication with your partner changes everything
  • Why routine and timing matter more than you'd think
  • When it's okay to walk out and reset
  • Professor Alan Pacey MBE answers the abstinence period question — what the WHO says, what changes for IVF and ICSI, and why clinics give different advice

🏁 EPISODE SPONSORS

This season is all about reminding you that when it comes to fertility, you are not alone.

At The Male Fertility Podcast, we know how powerful the right support can be, which is why we've partnered with Fertility Family to share Impryl.

We all know nutrition matters for fertility, but let's be honest, maintaining a perfectly balanced diet for conception is incredibly hard. Choosing a supplement can be just as confusing, especially when many multivitamins contain strong antioxidants that can actually harm sperm quality.

Impryl is different. It's made using activated micronutrients that support every cell in the body, from the largest, the egg, to the smallest, the sperm. These nutrients have been clinically shown to significantly improve live birth rates in men and women who had previously been struggling to conceive.

What we really like is that behind the science are real stories from real people.

To find out more, visit fertilityfamily.co.uk. And if you decide it's right for you, our listeners can get 10% off using the code MFPOD10. That's MFPOD10.

📲 CONNECT & FOLLOW

🔍 NAVIGATING MALE FERTILITY

Looking for support and insight on male infertility? This podcast offers you stories, expert advice, and our NeXYs community ready to listen. Subscribe and follow to join the journey and never miss an episode.

⚠️ DISCLAIMER

This podcast provides information and support but should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised care.

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About the Podcast

The Male Fertility Podcast
The UK’s leading podcast on male fertility. Real stories, expert advice, and the conversations men aren’t having.
The Male Fertility Podcast is the UK’s leading show dedicated to male fertility, hosted by Ciaran and Shaun, two men who’ve lived the reality of infertility diagnoses, fertility treatment, and everything that comes with it.

Whether you’re dealing with low sperm count, poor motility, low morphology, azoospermia, or a varicocele diagnosis, this podcast is the resource you wish you’d had from day one.

Each episode covers what actually matters: IVF and ICSI from the male perspective, navigating NHS referrals and waiting lists, the real cost of private treatment in the UK, lifestyle changes that can improve sperm quality, and the emotional and mental health impact that often goes unspoken.

We speak to fertility specialists, urologists, andrologists, and men sharing real, unfiltered stories — from difficult diagnoses through to successful pregnancies.

Topics we cover:

Male factor infertility: diagnosis and treatment options
Sperm health: count, motility, morphology, DNA fragmentation
IVF, ICSI, MESA, TESE, micro-TESE
Varicocele surgery and recovery
Supplements, diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes
Mental health, relationships, and coping strategies
NHS vs private fertility treatment in the UK
Costs, funding, and access to treatment
Supporting your partner
Real stories and success journeys

This podcast exists because male fertility is too often overlooked. Half of all infertility involves a male factor, yet most support is aimed elsewhere. We’re changing that.

If you’re facing fertility challenges, or supporting someone who is, subscribe now — you’re not alone.

About your host

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Ciaran Hannington