Male infertility shame sexual health testosterone pregnancy

Stigma, shame and silence: the hidden impact of male infertility

Dr Esmée Hanna Dr Esmée Hanna is an associate professor in the School of Allied Health Sciences at De Montfort University, Leicester and an expert in the sociology of male infertility. Behind the wall of silence lies a mental health catastrophe. A wealth of scientific studies and surveys have confirmed that men who are struggling…

August 27, 20240Comments

ByMark Bailey

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HEALTH Investigation

Saddle sore: is too much cycling ruining your sex life?

Phil Burt Phil Burt is a leading cycling health expert who spent more than a decade as head of physiotherapy at the all-conquering British Cycling team for three Olympic Games, and was part of the famed Marginal Gains group which was charged with finding innovative improvements in performance. He also spent five years as consultant…

August 26, 20240Comments

ByMark Bailey

extreme exercise fertility testosterone cycling sperm health

HEALTH Investigation

Can too much endurance exercise make you infertile?

Endurance cyclists are supremely healthy athletes, but scientific studies now suggest that many male cyclists have surprisingly low sperm counts. Some ultra-fit marathon runners are discovering a similar decline in their reproductive health. In fact, research suggests that many super-fit professional athletes often have lower sperm counts than “ordinary” men. Why are so many ultra-fit…

July 22, 20240Comments

ByMark Bailey

HEALTH Investigation

The Fertility-Fitness Paradox: are steroids making men infertile?

Across the animal kingdom, amorous males make a valiant effort to catch the eyes of females. Dashing peacocks shake their handsome iridescent feathers at peahens. Male blackbirds serenade mates with their exquisite flute-like songs. Red stags unleash loud guttural roars to display their virility. And in the world of homo sapiens, where Tinder, Instagram and…

July 22, 20240Comments

ByMark Bailey

male fertilty crisis testosterone sexual health sex 1

HEALTH Investigation

Sperm counts in freefall: is the male infertility crisis an existential threat to humanity?

For men’s testicles, it is the best of times, it is the worst of times. The population of the earth has swollen to 8 billion, and is forecast to hit 9.7 billion by 2050, which suggests male powers of procreation are in bullish good health. But disturbing global research has shown that men’s mean sperm…

July 9, 20240Comments

ByMark Bailey

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HEALTH Investigation

Are men facing a terminal decline in testosterone?

Testosterone has an image problem. To some people, high levels of the primary male sex hormone is a synonym for aggressive or toxic behaviour, or the sinister goal of doped-up Olympians and steroid-fuelled bodybuilders. To others, a low level of testosterone is the cause of every male health problem from dwindling libido to midlife lethargy,…

July 4, 20240Comments

ByMark Bailey

HEALTH Investigation

New weight-loss drugs: miracle cure or mask for obesity timebomb?

When Elon Musk revealed the secrets behind his dramatic 13.6kg weight-loss on X in November 2022, it was the first time many people had heard the words ‘Ozempic’ and ‘Wegovy’ - the “miraculous” weight-loss drugs feted by doctors and celebrities. Headlines were made. Internet searches spiked. But how many of us recall that Musk also…

July 3, 20240Comments

ByMark Bailey

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