Navigating Current Trends in Male Fertility: Protect Your Health, Secure Your Legacy

Guest Post by Dr. Amanda Ramirez, DPT

Catholic Doctor of Physical Therapy

Any man grounded in his masculinity and committed to creating a meaningful legacy benefits from a well-rounded perspective on his fertility—one that highlights a continuum of choices, encourages informed decision-making, and prioritizes natural, minimally invasive methods first. This approach to reproductive health embodies the core principles of Restorative Reproductive Medicine1. In recent years, men have increasingly become the focus of fertility-related interventions, with testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and vasectomies being heavily marketed and promoted as convenient solutions to common challenges. While these approaches may offer immediate benefits or seem like straightforward answers to complex issues, men must understand the broader implications, including potential side effects and long-term consequences. 

The Rise of Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) 

TRT has gained widespread popularity as a remedy for low energy, reduced libido, and declining testosterone levels due to aging and a sedentary lifestyle and for providing an enhanced edge in athletics. While TRT promises quick fixes for these concerns, it's essential to recognize the risks2: 

● Suppression of Natural Testosterone Production: TRT can inhibit the body's ability to produce testosterone naturally, often leading to dependency. 

● Impact on Fertility: TRT can lower sperm production, compromising a man's ability to conceive children. 

● Psychological and Physical Side Effects: Mood swings, acne, and changes in cholesterol levels are common. 

Instead of immediately resorting to synthetic hormones, first, consider natural methods to optimize testosterone levels: 

● Do hard things. Stretch your mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical limits. As you face and overcome challenging tasks, your resilience rises, and stress management strengthens. By rewiring your perception of stress, you can reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) and increase testosterone3,4. 

● Win no matter what. Keep a list of your wins and stay in a winning state of mind. Several studies show that winning can boost testosterone, with one noting that just being convinced you have won is enough to cause an increase5. 

● Live a movement-rich life. A sedentary lifestyle lowers testosterone levels, but counteracting this doesn’t require intense or extreme measures6. Get the basics right- optimize your breathing pattern and walk frequently. Building on that- stretch and mobilize your body, engage in regular strength-building activities, get into Zone 2 Training, and enjoy competitive sports. 

● Prioritize sleep7 and minimize being out of sync with the natural rhythms of day and night. 

● Eat a nutritious diet rich in healthy fats, zinc, and vitamin D8. 

● Avoid endocrine-disrupting chemicals9 in hygiene products, seed oils, and processed foods. 

Rethinking Vasectomies: Risks, Regret, and Natural Solutions 

Vasectomies are being embraced by many men as a permanent form of family planning, often seen as a responsible alternative to female contraception. However, this decision is not without its complications10: 

● Permanence and Regret: While vasectomy reversals exist, the process to restore fertility is costly, invasive, and not guaranteed (although it is absolutely worth trying!) 

● Post-Vasectomy Pain Syndrome (PVPS): A minority of men experience chronic pain following the procedure. 

● Impact on Masculinity: For some men, the psychological burden of sterilization affects their self-perception and relationships. 

Before opting for self-selected sterilization, explore Natural Family Planning (NFP) methods. The Billings Ovulation Method®, a Fertility Awareness Method (FAM), is 99% effective in postponing or avoiding pregnancy with proper instruction, follow-up, and application of the Rules. Most importantly, it allows couples to work with the body's natural rhythms to achieve or avoid pregnancy while: 

● Enriching marriages by honoring the dignity of both the man and woman. 

● Encouraging shared responsibility and communication between husband and wife. 

● Drastically reducing the need for invasive procedures or synthetic hormones for both the man and woman. 

A New Frontier in Fertility: Avoiding the Pitfalls of the Past 

For decades, women's reproductive health has been shaped by pharmaceuticals like the birth control pill and invasive surgical solutions—often with significant side effects. Today, we see similar marketing strategies in men's fertility, promoting a quick fix over sustainable, whole-person solutions. It's been a disservice to women to address their fertility with high-risk interventions before considering low-risk solutions first11. Let's not repeat these mistakes with men. Just like women, men risk compromising their health, well-being, and dignity by overlooking the profound impact of invasive fertility interventions. Instead, men should approach fertility trends vigilantly, resisting the allure of an "easy fix." 

Men are encouraged to: 

● Educate themselves about their reproductive health and options. 

● Prioritize non-invasive solutions that respect the body's natural rhythms. 

● Advocate for dignified approaches that honor the cooperative nature of fertility in relationships. 

A Call to Action: Fertility Rooted in Dignity and Health 

As men become the focal point of fertility-related interventions, it's more important than ever to approach these trends with caution and critical thinking. The body's natural design is not a problem to be fixed but a reality to be understood and embraced. Through natural lifestyle changes, fertility awareness, and minimally invasive approaches, men can take control of their reproductive health in a way that honors their dignity and builds a foundation for healthy families and a thriving future. 

Join Dr. Ramirez in a FREE Webinar on Men’s Fertility

February 2, 2025 @ 4:30 PM PST

Learn More

---

About 

Dr. Amanda Ramirez, DPT

A Catholic Doctor of Physical Therapy, Dr. Ramirez specializes in orthopedics and pelvic health with a focus on Restorative Reproductive Medicine. She supports men and women who value living with presence and purpose to optimize their fertility, health, and performance. As a certified Billings Ovulation Method® teacher, Dr. Ramirez collaborates with couples seeking to conceive or deepen their understanding of natural fertility. 

Dr. Ramirez is deeply committed to equipping men with tools to enhance natural fertility, achieve peak performance, and approach family planning with dignity and in harmony with the body’s natural design. For high-caliber men dedicated to family leadership and legacy, her insights, clinical expertise, and innovative courses invite them to embrace the higher calling of leading fruitful, movement-rich lives. Join Her Next Fertility Fireside Chat Here: (https://amandaramirezdpt.myflodesk.com/fertilityfiresidechat) and Learn more about her work Here: (www.AmandaRamirezDPT.com) 

---

References 

1. Boyle P. IVF and RRM (Restorative Reproductive Medicine) – What is the difference? Presented at: BOMA-USA 2024 Virtual Conference; September 28, 2024; Virtual. Accessed January 8, 2025. https://boma-usa.org 

2. Watson RA. Testosterone dependence: How real is the risk? Urology Times. Published January 15, 2023. Accessed January 8, 2025. https://www.urologytimes.com/view/testosterone-dependence-how-real-risk 

3. Cumming DC, Quigley ME, Yen SSC. Acute suppression of circulating testosterone levels by cortisol in men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1983;57(3):671-673. doi:10.1210/jcem-57-3-671 

4. Hannibal KE, Bishop MD. Chronic stress, cortisol dysfunction, and pain: a psychoneuroendocrine rationale for stress management in pain rehabilitation. Phys Ther. 2014;94(12):1816-1825. doi:10.2522/ptj.20130597 

5. Longman DP, Surbey MK, Stock JT, Wells JCK. Tandem androgenic and psychological shifts in male reproductive effort following a manipulated “win” or “loss” in a sporting competition. Hum Nat. 2018;29:283-310. doi:10.1007/s12110-018-9323-5 

6. Del Giudice F, Glover F, Belladelli F, et al. Association of daily step count and serum testosterone among men in the United States. Endocrine. 2021;72(3):874-881. doi:10.1007/s12020-021-02631-2 

7. Patel P, Shiff B, Kohn TP, Ramasamy R. Impaired sleep is associated with low testosterone in US adult males: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. World J Urol. 2019;37(7):1449-1453. doi:10.1007/s00345-018-2485-2 

8. Turczynski C. Good practices for sperm production. https://craigturczynskiphd.com/good-practices-for-sperm. Accessed January 17, 2025. 

9. Jurewicz J, Radwan M, Wielgomas B, et al. Human Semen Quality, Sperm DNA Damage, and the Level of Reproductive Hormones in Relation to Urinary Concentrations of Parabens. J Occup Environ Med. 2017;59(11):1034-1040. doi:10.1097/JOM.0000000000001106 

10. Turczynski C. A Scientific Evaluation of Vasectomy and Vasectomy Reversal. Presented at: BOMA-USA 2024 Virtual Conference; September 28, 2024; Virtual. Accessed January 8, 2025. https://boma-usa.org 

11. Williams WV. Societal and environmental impacts of the pill. Presented at: BOMA-USA 2024 Virtual Conference; September 28, 2024; Virtual. Accessed January 8, 2025. https://boma-usa.org