Male infertility? - how to approach with your husband?

Question

So we’ve been TTC for just under 12 months now and nothing. It’s so physically and mentally draining as we really do feel after 12 years together this is the next step to complete our family. I feel I need to be the one to raise the ‘talk’ about the fact one of us may have an infertility problem. I’ve been off the pill for 5 years and had regular periods like clockwork so have always felt surely I’m okay. But my partner does work with toxic fumes and I’m starting to think could this be affecting his sperm? How on earth do I approach the ‘talk’?! Are there sperm tests you can do at home? Or is it best to get in touch with a clinic to be tested? I suppose I’m just worrying about how he’ll react when I bring it up? Does anyone have any best ways to do it and best way to move forward? Thanks very much

Answer

You can have a talk but don’t make it seem accusatory. Something along the lines of, “I think we need to go to the doctors for some test to see what they recommend for us to conceive.”

Answer

Both people in the relationship should be tested for certain things if you have been trying for a year or more. Its not like a taboo thing. He just needs to cum in a cup. It's just doing your due diligence

Answer

12 months unfortunately isn’t a long time ttc, but if you feel one of you might have an issue and want to get checked then do it, but if you’re wanting to have a baby together surely you have the kind of relationship where you can talk about anything at anytime and not be worried, I’m sure he’ll not take offence if you say you want both of you to get checked? 
I’ve always had regular periods and it took us 2 years with our first and now 3 and half years with our 2nd (currently pregnant with 2nd) but we both had tests and there was absolutely no reason as to why we didn’t fall quickly, sometimes it just takes longer but good luck and baby dust to you.

Answer

I think you need to just tell him you’d like it if you BOTH got tested. Telling him you think something may be wrong with his sperm while assuming you’re fine is going to come across the wrong way no matter how you say it. Having regular periods means absolutely nothing. I had regular periods to the day and TIME of day (always started in the evening) and after my first was born and got on birth control for a little while my cycles became messed up. I didn’t have trouble conceiving my second even though I only had three periods in an 8ish month span. 
Good luck ttc

Answer

If it's been over a year then you both should get tested and see what's wrong. Just because you have normal regular periods it doesn't mean there's nothing wrong with you either. I have regular periods and they told me I had possible endo and my tubes were damaged. I have no symptoms of endometriosis. I also have polycystic ovaries and no signs of PCOS 🤷‍♀️. But yes it would be better to do the sperm check at the clinic. The tests online only check if there is sperm but you need to know a lot more than that, just because there is sperm doesn't mean he's fertile either, you need to know how many and the morphology.

Answer

Just because your period is regular doesn’t mean you’re fertile. If it’s been 12 months you can go your doctor and they’ll start doing testing or send you both to a clinic because you both need to have testing done.

Answer

You both should be tested.. just because youre off the pill and have regular cycles doesnt mean "you're all good" and just because he works around toxic fumes doesnt mean hes possibly the factor to yalls problem.. Just bring it up to him without accusing him of being THE ISSUE you speak of

Male infertility? - how to approach with your husband?

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