Got Balls, But Struggling with Fertility? You're Not Alone

By Saara Jamieson 

Planning a family is supposed to be exciting. But for many, it’s filled with waiting, worry, and way too many Google searches. And let’s be honest - when it comes to fertility, the spotlight always seems to be on women.

Despite what many assume, male fertility plays an equal role in a couple’s ability to conceive. Yet sperm health remains one of the least-discussed - and least-understood - parts of the equation. While society tends to focus on female reproductive health, studies consistently show that male factors contribute to nearly 50% of infertility cases (Inhorn & Patrizio, 2015). This includes issues like low sperm count, poor motility, and abnormal morphology - many of which are linked to lifestyle, heat exposure, and age.

And it’s not just about “getting pregnant.” Poor sperm health is also associated with increased miscarriage risk and a higher likelihood of genetic mutations in children, particularly as men age (Kong et al., 2012).

Let’s Set the Record Straight

Research shows that 1 in 6 couples struggle with infertility. And sperm quality - count, shape, motility - is declining globally. In fact, sperm counts have dropped by more than 50% over the last 50 years (Levine et al., 2022).

And here’s the kicker: even a small 1°C increase in testicular temperature can reduce fertility by up to 14%. A rise of 2-3°C can shut down sperm production altogether. Tight pants, hot laptops, and long commutes aren’t helping.

Why We Need to Talk About It

Most men don’t know their lifestyle could be sabotaging their fertility. It’s not something we’re taught, and often not something we talk about - until it becomes a problem. But the earlier we start the conversation, the more impact we can make.

Time to Get Proactive - Not Just Reactive

We shouldn’t wait until we’re in a fertility clinic to start thinking about sperm health. Men need to prepare their bodies well before trying to conceive - just like women do.

Boosting fertility can start with:

• Swapping synthetic underwear for breathable, natural fabrics
• Staying active and maintaining a healthy weight
• Limiting alcohol and quitting smoking
• Managing stress and improving sleep
• And of course, keeping things cool where it counts.

Why We Built Cool Beans

When my husband Jordan and I struggled to conceive, he wanted to contribute more. But the options out there? Honestly, they were either gimmicks or uncomfortable. With backgrounds in science and medical imaging, we decided to build something real.

Enter: Cool Beans Underwear - a patented, science-backed solution designed to support and cool the testes, reducing scrotal heat and optimising sperm health.

We’ve Got to Normalise These Conversations

Let’s break the silence - and the stigma. Sperm health isn’t embarrassing. It’s biology. It affects conception, miscarriage rates, and even the long-term health of future children. Research now shows that men over 30 are six times more likely to cause spontaneous genetic mutations in offspring due to declining sperm health (Kong et al., 2012).

So, if you’re planning a family - start now. Not just with supplements or apps, but with daily choices that make a real difference.

Your swimmers deserve better. Let’s stop beating around the bush and start having the ballsy conversations that matter.

Join the fertility movement. Start with what you wear.

👉 Shop Cool Beans Underwear
👉 Read: The Underwear Revolution

References

• Levine, H., Jørgensen, N., Martino-Andrade, A., Mendiola, J., Weksler-Derri, D., Mindlis, I., … & Swan, S. H. (2022). Temporal trends in sperm count: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis update. Human Reproduction Update. https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmac035

• Kong, A., Frigge, M. L., Masson, G., Besenbacher, S., Sulem, P., Magnusson, G., … & Stefansson, K. (2012). Rate of de novo mutations and the importance of father's age to disease risk. Nature, 488(7412), 471–475. https://www.nature.com/articles/nature11396