Men’s Focus on Fertility Supplements and Health Trends

For Pachi Paris, a 29-year-old from Miami working in finance, supplements have become crucial. When he and his wife began trying to conceive last year, it felt completely natural for him to invest around $250 a month on fertility-boosting pills.

After six months of unsuccessful attempts at conception, Paris said, “We both thought it was strange that she’s not pregnant yet.” They decided to undergo tests, only to discover that he had sperm health issues. This revelation was unexpected, considering his youth, active lifestyle, and healthy eating habits—though he’s not the only one facing this situation.

More men are now taking extreme measures to enhance sperm health. This includes practices like icing their testicles, steering clear of pornography, and tracking their semen’s “vitality scores,” a part of the emerging trend called sperm-maxxing.

While some influencers in the sperm-maxxing space spread misleading wellness advice—like the notion that switching to organic cotton boxers is essential for sperm health—this trend has one positive aspect: it has sparked a greater interest among men in their reproductive health. This awareness comes at a crucial time when researchers emphasize that men’s health significantly impacts fertility, pregnancy, and early child development.

Michael Eisenberg, a urology professor at Stanford University, said, “I’m glad to see attention being directed to male fertility. It’s an area that has been largely overlooked… it’s really a shared responsibility.”

Infertility—defined as not being able to conceive after a year of trying—affects about one in six couples globally. Reproductive health has long been considered a women’s issue, likely due to the physical burden of pregnancy. However, estimates suggest that male factors contribute to 30 to 50 percent of infertility cases, yet men aren’t evaluated in about one in four of these situations.

Men’s health can also influence pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriages and complications like preeclampsia, though the associated risks remain low. Sperm carries epigenetic markings affected by a man’s surroundings before conception, indicating that lifestyle choices can have significant implications for sperm quality.

This is where sperm-maxxers come into play. They monitor aspects like sperm count, motility (the ability to swim to the egg), morphology (shape and size), and DNA fragmentation. Since it takes about two to three months for new sperm to mature, changes in lifestyle aimed at improving sperm health can show quick results.

Some popular social media accounts suggest that men should consume large amounts of beef, butter, and raw milk. However, research indicates that diets high in saturated fats are linked to decreased sperm count, making conception less likely. In contrast, the Mediterranean diet, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and fiber, is associated with improved sperm quality.

Environmental factors also play a role, as studies highlight potential links between male infertility and exposure to environmental toxins, including endocrine disruptors and microplastics. Prolonged exposure can lead to oxidative stress, an imbalance that can harm sperm motility and viability.

Longevity influencer Bryan Johnson stirred controversy recently when he shared methods he claims helped eliminate microplastics from his semen. While some advice is genuinely beneficial for the environment—like replacing plastic cutting boards—fertility-conscious men likely need to focus on other health measures that matter more.