‘Seeing men in the fertility conversation’ with Kevin Mceleny

In this episode of The Fertility Podcast, we've gone back to the archive to share a chat I had a little while back with Kevin McEleny, Consultant Urologist at Newcastle Fertility Centre and Nuffield Health. Kevin is a specialist in male fertility and urology and has worked for years to raise awareness around the crucial but often overlooked role of male health in fertility care.

We talk about how much of male fertility is still ignored, under-tested and underfunded, and what that means for couples trying to conceive. As someone who has experienced male factor infertility personally, this episode means a lot to me, and I know it will to many of you too.

Whether you're going through IVF, facing a male factor diagnosis, or simply wanting to understand the full picture, I hope this episode helps you feel more informed and empowered.

What we discuss in this episode:

• Why it’s still so common for men to be left out of fertility investigations
• What kinds of tests should be done for men and why basic semen analysis isn’t enough
• Why timing, hormones and lifestyle can drastically impact sperm quality
• What conditions might be missed if men aren’t tested properly
• The emotional toll male fertility issues can take, and why support is essential
• What male patients should expect when seeing a urologist or fertility specialist
• Why early and equal testing matters for both partners
• Kevin also explained Kleinfelter Syndrome and how it can go undetected without the right support and investigation

This episode is a call for more inclusive care, not just for women, but for men too. Because fertility is a shared journey, and everyone deserves to be heard.

Special thanks to Examen, sponsor of this episode

Examen offers direct, cutting-edge sperm DNA fragmentation testing (including both single and double-strand DNA damage), used by 85% of fertility clinics across the UK and Ireland.

Tests are:

• Non-invasive
• Available via clinics or partner hubs
• Designed to provide clarity, confidence and actionable insight

You don’t need a referral to get tested. Simply book online, drop off your sample and receive detailed results to discuss with your clinic.

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Let’s keep the conversation going:

• Follow me on Instagram: @fertilitypoddy
• Email your thoughts or guest ideas: natalie@thefertilitypodcast.com
• Follow our advocacy work: @fertility.action
• Learn more about the men’s health campaign with Fertility Action and Test Him
• Explore SDF testing with your clinic or directly at examenlab.com

Please subscribe, leave a review and share this episode if it resonated, especially with someone who may need this conversation.

Until next time.