Secondary Infertility: Why Fathering One Child Doesn’t Guarantee Another
For many men, the assumption is simple: “I’ve fathered one child, so my fertility is fine.” But here’s the truth—past success does not guarantee future success.
Secondary infertility, the inability to conceive after previously having a child, is a growing issue. While it’s often assumed to be a female problem, male fertility plays a crucial role. Lifestyle changes such as increased stress, poor diet, weight gain, and exposure to toxins directly impact sperm health—and could be the reason conception isn’t happening this time around.
Sperm Health Isn’t Set in Stone
Men produce sperm continuously, but that doesn’t mean its quality remains the same over time. Sperm regenerates every 90 days, meaning that whatever you’ve been eating, drinking, and exposing yourself to in the last three months affects your fertility right now.
If your lifestyle has changed since your first child—if stress has increased, your diet has slipped, your sleep is poor, or you’ve been exposed to environmental toxins—your sperm health may have declined significantly.
This is a biological reality, not an assumption. Research confirms that:
🔹 Poor diet and processed foods lead to sperm DNA fragmentation, which is linked to higher miscarriage rates.
🔹 Chronic stress and lack of sleep lower testosterone, reducing sperm production and motility.
🔹 Exposure to toxins (alcohol, smoking, vaping, environmental pollutants) damages sperm quality and increases the risk of failed implantation.
Just because you could conceive before doesn’t mean your sperm is still fit for the task today.
It’s Not Just Her Issue
Too often, men assume that if conception isn’t happening, the issue must be with their partner. But the probability of a successful pregnancy is directly influenced by sperm quality. Poor sperm health increases:
❌ The risk of miscarriage—if sperm DNA is damaged, the embryo is less viable, leading to early pregnancy loss.
❌ Failed implantation—low-motility sperm struggle to fertilise the egg effectively.
❌ Longer conception times—even if sperm count is normal, poor quality reduces the chances of successful fertilisation.
So, men—stop assuming you’re “in the clear” just because you’ve conceived before. Your fertility is dynamic, not fixed.
The Good News: You Can Change This
Unlike female eggs, sperm quality can be improved in just three months. That means if you take action now, you could dramatically increase your chances of conceiving in the next cycle.
✅ Optimise your diet—Increase whole foods, healthy fats, and antioxidant-rich foods while cutting out processed junk.
✅ Reduce stress—Chronic stress impacts hormone balance, so incorporate relaxation techniques like breathwork or exercise.
✅ Improve sleep—7-9 hours of quality sleep per night is essential for testosterone and sperm production.
✅ Limit toxins—Reduce alcohol, stop smoking/vaping, and avoid exposure to harmful chemicals.
✅ Exercise wisely—Regular movement boosts testosterone and overall sperm health.
Your Fertility is a Reflection of Your Health
If secondary infertility is happening in your relationship, don’t assume the problem lies with her. Your fertility is just as much a factor in conception success—and the good news is, you have control over it.
Men, stop telling yourself, “I’ve done it once, so I’m fine.” The reality is that your current lifestyle determines your current fertility. If you’ve made changes (consciously or not) that negatively impact sperm health, it’s time to take responsibility.
Because nature works in one simple way—the fittest wins.
If your sperm isn’t up to the task, it won’t result in a healthy pregnancy. But the power is in your hands—make the right changes today, and you can transform your fertility within just 90 days.
Are you ready to take action?
Sign up to HIS HEALTH ONLINE FERTILITY COURSE and receive hours worth of information that could see you make simple changes to your health and chances of conception that you didn’t even know were affecting it.