An online survey of adult men found that knowledge about male fertility remains incomplete even among supplement users, highlighting a missed opportunity for earlier awareness, better-informed lifestyle choices, and more targeted public education.
Important points
Men in this study generally had low knowledge about male fertility across both medical and lifestyle-related topics, with most respondents answering only 5 out of 25 questions correctly.
Older men had slightly higher scores, but the relationship between age and knowledge was weak, suggesting only a small increase in fertility awareness over time.
Men with medical backgrounds and men suspected of infertility or undergoing treatment for infertility had higher knowledge than other participants, suggesting that prior exposure to the topic improves awareness.
Supplement use was very common, with over 80% reporting taking supplements, but this did not translate into strong knowledge about fertility. This paper highlights this as a gap between health-oriented behaviors and fertility literacy.
Research: Analysis of adult men’s knowledge in the field of male fertility in relation to selected lifestyle factors. Image credit: Vladimir Sukhachev / Shutterstock
In a recent study published in the journal scientific reportResearchers analyzed adult men’s level of knowledge about male fertility.
Infertility is the inability to conceive after at least one year of regular unprotected sex. It affects approximately 10% to 18% of couples worldwide. In Europe, 16.5% of the population experiences infertility. This number is expected to rise further in the future, in part because the age at which people plan to have children is increasing. Fertility clinic data shows that more women seek infertility treatment than men.
However, given that approximately half of infertility is due to male factors, diagnostic evaluation in both women and men is important. Studies have reported that male fertility is an indicator of overall health. Men who have infertility issues are more likely to have other problems, such as diabetes, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Low awareness of male infertility leads to delays in diagnosis and treatment.
Psychological barriers and treatment awareness
Men often find it difficult to recognize and address their fertility problems. They may perceive infertility as a personal failure and be reluctant to talk about it. Although infertility is difficult, it is often treatable.
Although lifestyle modifications are often discussed as potentially important for male fertility, this survey did not directly test the impact of lifestyle changes on fertility outcomes. Quitting smoking, alcohol, and other substances is generally recommended. A balanced diet and proper weight are also important.
Other lifestyle modifications may include regular physical activity, getting enough sleep, and stress management. Although the impact of these lifestyle changes on overall well-being has been established, their impact on semen parameters has not yet been studied. Although some lifestyle factors are modifiable, men’s self-awareness is critical to implementing effective interventions. So, while educating men about infertility is likely to help them make more informed decisions, this study did not measure whether education improved fertility outcomes.
Study design and participant demographics
In this study, researchers assessed adult men’s level of knowledge regarding male fertility in relation to selected health and lifestyle-related factors. The study used an anonymous online questionnaire completed by adult men from a variety of occupational and demographic backgrounds. This questionnaire was developed by infertility and nutrition experts based on a literature review on lifestyle and infertility.
Questionnaire items focused on respondents’ general knowledge regarding lifestyle factors and medical aspects of infertility. The survey was conducted in two parts. Initial demographic details collected include age, education, relationships, occupation, and children. The second one covers items related to male fertility and consists of both lifestyle and medical-related questions. The research team used Spearman’s correlation coefficient to assess the correlation between variables.
A total of 156 men between the ages of 18 and 74 completed the survey. Most of the men (90%) were under 30 years of age. Approximately 51% of respondents were in a relationship, while the rest were single. Only 8% of participants had children.
Most reported completing secondary education (60%) and living in a city with a population of 50,000 or more (72%). Approximately 14% of respondents had a medical background, and only 3% had been diagnosed with or suspected of infertility.
Correlation between age and fertility knowledge
The researchers observed a weak positive correlation between respondents’ scores on the second part of the questionnaire and their age, with older respondents scoring slightly higher than younger respondents.
Strong positive correlations were observed between respondents’ scores on lifestyle-related and medical-related items, suggesting that they did not demonstrate high levels of knowledge in either area. Importantly, of the 25 survey items, only 5 were answered correctly by most respondents, indicating a generally low level of knowledge overall.
Most participants (over 80%) reported using supplements, and the majority (85%) used multi-ingredient supplements.
Furthermore, no significant associations were observed between participant characteristics (age, occupation/education, presence of suspected/treated infertility) and supplement ingredients known to be associated with fertility.
In particular, there were large differences in knowledge levels between those with and without a medical background, and between men suspected of infertility or undergoing treatment and those without.
Impact on male infertility education
In summary, this study suggests that knowledge about male fertility was generally low in this sample, both in medical and lifestyle-related topics. There was a tendency for older respondents to score slightly higher, reflecting the weak positive correlation between age and knowledge scores.
In general, people with medical backgrounds demonstrated a deeper understanding than those without. Similarly, those with suspected infertility or undergoing treatment for infertility had higher knowledge than those without infertility issues.
Limitations and generalizability considerations
These results suggest that educational efforts should focus on the broader population rather than health care providers and affected populations. Because these people have already demonstrated a higher level of knowledge. Awareness efforts can help promote informed choices about lifestyle, supplements, and treatments and increase men’s understanding of their fertility.
Because this study was based on a voluntary, anonymous online survey, used a survey tool developed by the authors, and included a sample with a majority of young men, the findings should be interpreted with appropriate caution and may not be completely generalizable to all adult men.
Reference magazines:
- Dakowicz AL, Milewska AJ, Nowakowski D, et al. (2026). Analysis of adult men’s knowledge in the field of male fertility in relation to selected lifestyle factors. Scientific report. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-45648-1, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-45648-1
