An IVF Guide for Men: What Men Should Know, Expect, and Prepare For
When people talk about in vitro fertilization IVF, most of the focus naturally falls on the woman’s medical experience — hormone injections, monitoring, egg retrieval, and embryo transfer. And let’s be honest: from a medical standpoint, women bear far more of the physical burden.
But men play a crucial role in IVF, too.
Whether or not male-factor infertility is present, men are an important part of the process — medically, emotionally, and practically.
This guide walks through what IVF is like for men, including:
when is IVF needed for men
what men are responsible for
how and when sperm is collected
what happens if sperm parameters are low or absent
how men can support the process
and why IVF can be emotionally challenging even when the physical burden is small
When is IVF Needed for Men?
Men may need IVF for several different reasons. Sometimes this is due to medical causes on the male side, sometimes due to their partner’s fertility needs, sometimes for same-sex family building, and sometimes as part of unexplained infertility that a couple is facing.
Studies show that male-factor infertility accounts for roughly 20–30% of cases independently and contributes to around 50% overall.
Common male-factor medical issues that often require IVF include:
Low sperm count (oligospermia)
When there aren’t enough sperm to reliably reach and fertilize the egg, IVF with ICSI can help by allowing embryologists to select a single healthy sperm and place it directly into the egg.
Poor sperm motility (asthenozoospermia)
When sperm don’t swim well enough to reach the egg, ICSI bypasses this issue by choosing a motile sperm and injecting it into the egg.
Abnormal morphology (teratozoospermia)
When sperm have an unusual shape that makes natural fertilization difficult, ICSI helps overcome this barrier by placing a healthy-appearing sperm directly inside the egg.
Azoospermia (no sperm in the ejaculate)
Azoospermia may be due to a blockage (obstructive) or reduced sperm production (non-obstructive). Many men can still use their own sperm through retrieval procedures such as TESA, TESE, or micro-TESE, which are then used with IVF/ICSI.
Genetic or chromosomal conditions
Certain conditions, like Y-chromosome microdeletions or Klinefelter syndrome, can affect sperm production. IVF, sometimes paired with genetic testing such as PGT-A or PGT-M, may help guide embryo selection.
Prior vasectomy or reproductive tract blockage
When sperm cannot exit through the reproductive tract — including after a vasectomy — IVF with sperm retrieval (such as PESA, TESA, or TESE) is often used instead of vasectomy reversal, especially when time or additional fertility factors play a role.
Retrograde ejaculation or ejaculatory dysfunction
If sperm travel into the bladder rather than out through the urethra, they can often be surgically retrieved and used for IVF with ICSI.
Immunologic infertility (anti-sperm antibodies)
These antibodies may interfere with sperm movement or egg binding. ICSI bypasses the issue by placing the sperm directly into the egg.
Unexplained infertility
Even with normal semen parameters, hidden sperm dysfunction may contribute to failed conception. IVF and ICSI help identify and overcome these issues.
The Man’s Role in IVF: An Overview
IVF requires eggs, sperm, and a uterus — which means men are essential to the fertilization stage of the process. A man may need to:
Complete a semen analysis
Provide a sperm sample on the day of egg retrieval
Undergo surgical sperm retrieval (in cases where sperm is not present in the ejaculate)
Support their partner emotionally during treatment
Navigate the psychological impact of infertility
Even when semen parameters are entirely normal, men still need to understand how the process works and how to show up as an equal partner.
Where Men Fit Into the IVF Process: A Quick Overview
Even though IVF is more physically demanding for women, men still participate in a few important steps. Here’s the simplest breakdown of the IVF process and where men are usually involved:
1. Ovarian stimulation (woman’s step)
The woman takes medications to grow multiple eggs. Men are not medically involved.
2. Providing sperm (the main step for most men)
Most men give a semen sample through ejaculation on the day of egg retrieval.
Optional: Men can also freeze and store sperm ahead of time, which is helpful for travel, scheduling, or performance anxiety.
If sperm are not present in the ejaculate, a minor procedure like TESA, TESE, or micro-TESE may be used to retrieve sperm directly from the testicle or epididymis.
3. Fertilization in the lab
Embryologists fertilize the eggs using sperm from the male partner.
4. Embryo transfer and pregnancy monitoring (woman’s steps)
An embryo is transferred to the uterus, followed by a pregnancy test and early pregnancy monitoring.
How Men Provide Sperm for IVF
Ejaculation at the clinic: the most common method
Most men provide a sperm sample on the day of egg retrieval. Some clinics allow samples collected at home if they can be delivered to the lab within about an hour.
When ejaculation isn’t possible, or sperm counts are very low
If a man cannot produce a sample — or if sperm are absent in the ejaculate — a minor surgical retrieval may be recommended:
- PESA/MESA – aspiration from the epididymis in obstructive cases
TESA – testicular sperm aspiration
TESE – testicular sperm extraction
Micro-TESE – microsurgery to locate tiny areas of sperm production
These procedures are typically done under local anesthesia or light sedation and cause only mild soreness for 1–2 days.
Do Men Need to Change Their Lifestyle Before IVF?
Lifestyle plays a significant role in sperm health. Research links improvements in the following areas to better semen parameters:
- quitting smoking
- reducing alcohol
- improving diet quality (nutrient-dense, lower-carb, healthy fats)
- taking targeted supplements (CoQ10, zinc, antioxidants)
- managing stress
- reducing heat exposure (saunas, hot tubs, laptops on lap
Is IVF Painful for Men?
Physically, IVF is usually not difficult for men.
Ejaculation-based sperm collection is painless.
Surgical sperm retrieval causes mild to moderate soreness that typically resolves within 24–48 hours.
Serious complications are rare.
Compared to what women experience, the physical burden on men is minimal.
The Emotional Side of IVF for Men
Many men are surprised by how emotionally challenging IVF can be.
Common experiences include:
Pressure to “perform” when providing a sample
Stress about semen analysis results
Shame, guilt, or self-blame after a male-factor diagnosis
Feeling helpless watching their partner undergo procedures
Pressure to remain the “strong one”
Anxiety about finances and future plans
Difficulty finding other men to talk to
Male infertility has been linked with higher rates of anxiety, depression, and reduced self-esteem in several studies.
Men often benefit from:
honest conversations with their partner
counseling or individual therapy
fertility-focused support groups
education to understand each step of the process
How Men Can Best Support the IVF Process
Even though men undergo fewer procedures, there are many meaningful ways to be involved:
Attend key appointments when possible
Help with scheduling, communication, and logistics
Stay informed about the treatment plan
Provide emotional reassurance and practical support
Create a calm, organized home environment
Recognize your own stress and seek support
IVF tends to feel more manageable when both partners see it as a shared project, not a female-only journey.
Is There an Age Limit for Men in IVF?
Unlike women, men do not experience a sudden loss of fertility, but sperm quality does decline gradually with age. Research shows that increasing paternal age is associated with lower semen volume, reduced motility, higher DNA fragmentation, and a longer time to conception.
Most clinics, including CNY Fertility, do not have a strict age limit for men using IVF.
The Bottom Line
Men may not undergo injections, egg retrievals, or embryo transfers, but their role in IVF is still essential. From providing sperm to emotionally supporting their partner — and sometimes undergoing additional procedures — men are a crucial part of a successful IVF journey.
Understanding the process helps reduce stress, improve communication, and increase the chances of a positive outcome.
At CNY Fertility, we support both partners throughout treatment — medically, emotionally, and financially. If you’re preparing for IVF or navigating male-factor infertility, the CNY Fertility team is here to guide you with compassion, expertise, and affordability at every step. Schedule a consultation today!
