The male infertility crisis and the first burden of fatherhood
Why Male Fertility Matters More Than Ever
A groundbreaking meta-analysis published in 2017 analyzed 185 studies and revealed a shocking trend: sperm counts in Western men had declined by nearly 60% over the past four decades. This alarming drop shook the medical community—and rightly so. It also forced a long-overdue reevaluation of men’s role in fertility. Historically, conversations about conception, infertility, and reproductive health have focused primarily on women. But the numbers don’t lie: men are half the equation.
Male infertility now accounts for roughly 50% of all infertility cases in couples. And yet, access to diagnostics, care, and education tailored for men has lagged behind. At Bastion Health, we’re working to change that.
How Infertility Has Been Handled—and What Needs to Change
Traditionally, fertility evaluations begin with the female partner. Women consult their OB-GYNs, undergo invasive and expensive tests (often without insurance coverage), and only after they’re ruled out as the source of the problem is the male partner evaluated—usually with a semen analysis.
This outdated model presents three major problems:
It delays care. Valuable time is lost while couples follow this stepwise approach.
It can be costly and emotionally taxing. Especially for female partners, who endure invasive procedures unnecessarily.
It ignores half the problem. Men are just as likely to have fertility issues—and testing them first is simpler, less invasive, and cost-effective.
We believe it’s time to flip this script.
Leading the Change at Bastion Health
At Bastion Health, we’ve made it our mission to center men in the fertility conversation—starting with proactive, accessible testing. Our research showed that men lacked tools for fertility evaluation at home, so we created the first at-home male fertility test paired with physician-grade insights.
Here’s how it works:
Order your kit directly to your home or through a provider.
Submit your sample as you would at a fertility clinic—privately, from home.
Receive results in just 3-5 days, including detailed fertility metrics and next steps.
But testing is just the beginning. We’ve built a full ecosystem to support men from diagnosis to treatment to education. Through the Bastion Health app—available now on iOS and Android—users can access:
A fertility consultation with a licensed provider
Customized educational content developed with Bastion Health Publishing
Ongoing support for improving reproductive and overall health
Breaking Down Barriers and Battling the Stigma
Infertility is often a deeply personal and emotional experience—especially for men who are new to these conversations. Decades of cultural stigma have made male reproductive health a taboo topic. Our goal is to change that.
At Bastion Health, we’ve created a judgment-free space where men can ask questions, find answers, and take control of their health from the privacy of their home. Most importantly, we want men to know that infertility is not a dead end—it’s often treatable with the right support, medical care, and lifestyle changes.
In over 90% of cases, male infertility is not permanent. Our platform offers science-backed interventions and expert guidance to improve your chances of conception and long-term health.
What Leading Doctors Are Saying
After speaking with more than 70 urologists nationwide, we found a common theme: too many men wait until it’s too late. Dr. Cohen, a fertility specialist with four decades of experience, says it best:
“If patients were more proactive about their fertility and got tested much earlier, they would not only know about issues sooner, but they would have a much higher chance of mitigating permanent damage to their ability to procreate.”
With Bastion Health, we're helping men start that journey earlier, smarter, and with confidence.
Take the First Step Toward Fatherhood
Don’t wait until infertility becomes a crisis. Whether you’re planning for the future or actively trying to conceive, early action can make all the difference. Take the first step toward fatherhood with Bastion—your trusted partner in male fertility testing, education, and expert care.
