talking male fertility - the testhim podcast

In this episode we welcomed Dr Tim Child into the studio to chat about his work with the HFEA! An absolutely mind boggling conversation where we heard about research into ectogenesis. The growing of gametes and even a baby outside of it's natural environment. We also demystified the HFEA traffic lights system, often a source of great confusion whilst also talking about the importance of good research and sound reasoning for fertility tests and treatment. You can follow Tim on his instagram account @drtimchild

This conversation absolutely blew our minds!

Artificial eggs and artificial sperm, could it really be a thing?

We caught up with Dr Tim Child and spoke about his work with the HFEA and beyond!

Full episode out 13/05/24

How many times have you been told that a semen analysis is fine and there's nothing to worry about?

Listen in to this episode later this month and learn why we can't rely on just a semen analysis!

Full episode out 16th April 2024.

Coming up this month, we chat oxidative stress.
Watch Ian get himself all confused over atoms and electrons!
A very well worthwhile watch to learn more about the importance of oxidative stress.
Full episode out on 18/03/24
#testhim #oxidativestress #podcast #thetesthimpodcast

The 2023 race season didn't quite go as planned for Toby.

In this episode we talked about that crash!

130mph into a concrete wall!!

Full episode out 19/02/24

Here it is..... news of our new sperm DNA fragmentation service!

Full episode out on 19/02/24

In this episode we welcomed Major John O'Neil into the studio to chat about military life and male fertility. In some ways a unique organisation, certainly with unique challenges, but none the less they still have the same struggles whilst also coping with regular moves and overseas deployments.

You might think this episode isn't for you because it's about the military but there's a lot to be learnt from what they're doing and how they're supporting each other.

There are some really touching and heart warming moments in this conversation.

One of our biggest take aways is that if a man can stand up in front of a whole troop of marines and explain that he's got fertility issues and get amazing levels of support hopefully it's a lesson to all men that speaking up can be the most beneficial thing you could ever do if you're struggling to start your family.

A great episode and we're proud to be supporting the Defence Fertility Network.

The testhim podcast is back for 2024!
And we're kicking things off with this fantastic episode where we got to chat with the awesome John O'Neil.
A Major in the British Army we got to hear how all the armed services are doing amazing things to support their employees through the work of the Defence Fertility Network.
If a man can stand up and share his story in front of a troop of Royal Marines and get the support he needs then we hope that's inspiration enough for more men to feel confident to share their story!
Full episode out 22/01/24

Just a little taste of what's to come this month as we put together some of our "best bits" from our 1st year of the testhim podcast.

Full episode out 18/12/23

In this episode we had the huge pleasure of welcoming Lawrence Thor Stephen in to the studio.

Lawrence runs his own very successful tree surgery business but despite living a happy life the rug was pulled from underneath him when he was told that he would never have children.

However, with the most diligent and determined partner (the wonderful Tash) they both went on a mission to try and find answers.

In some ways they have become a shining example of how things should be done. Lawrence visited as andrologist, got tested and diagnosed and then went on to have a varicocele embolisation. And all of this was done before going anywhere near an IVF clinic for treatment.

From there Tash and Lawrence went on to have treatment having done all they could to improve their sperm quality. Did it work??

This has honestly been the most fun we've had in the studio. Lawrence is a breath of fresh air with his wicked sense of humour and incredibly open and honest account of what it's like to go through fertility treatment as a man.

Don't miss this amazing episode out on 20/11/23

Wise words from Lawrence on how men sometimes need support!

Full episode out 20/11/23

Coming up this month one of the most hilarious and honest conversations we've had in the testhim studio!

Full episode out 20/11/23

Jacky an international DJ was living what many would have imagined was an amazing life. Jet setting all around the world playing in amazing locations and living life to the max. Not necessarily living the healthiest of lives Jacky hadn’t given the slightest thought to what he might be doing to his sperm!

Then after several months of trying to conceive came the news that his sperm wasn’t quite as good as he thought it would be. A sperm DNA fragmentation test changed his life and turned his emotions upside down!

Jacky went on to make the essential lifestyle and diet changes and has seen impressive changes in his DNA fragmentation yet still their fertility journey continues.

Jacky touches on the essential parts of male fertility, the lack of awareness and education and how lifestyle was a key part of the equation for him.

In this episode of testhim stories we spoke with Jacky a man who was seemingly living his best life travelling the world as an international DJ but things soon came crashing down when he found out trying to conceive wasn't quite as easy as he thought!

Full episode out on 06/11/23

Gents, even those occasional symptoms could be a sign that something else is going on and you need to get checked to make sure everything is ok.

Full episode out on 16/10/23

Age, male fertility and the impact of DNA fragmentation! A really important part of the conversation.

Full episode out 16/10/23

Coming up on this month's podcast..... the wonderful Professor Sheryl Homa from Andrology Solutions.

In this clip Sheryl's discussing the importance of checking the man, something we're incredibly passionate about also.

Male infertility can be a sign of other health conditions that have perhaps been missed. This is why it's so important that men get a full health check if they're struggling to conceive.

Your sperm health can be an indicator of your overall health..... get checked and see the right medical professional!

Full episode out on 16/10/23

Jonathan’s story is quite unique in many ways but one that will have been shared by many other men across the world.

Attempting to start a family wasn’t going to plan and little did Jonathan know what was ahead of him when he went for his 1st assessment with a urologist.

With a history of undescended testicles, a red flag was raised early on for Jonathan meaning he was offered investigations much sooner than most other men but he still had to endure a raft of tests to try and get to the bottom of his infertility.

The embarrassment and shame of going through 5 semen analysis attempts only to have to hand back an empty pot each time. Followed by invasive investigations that eventually led him to have to go through surgical sperm retrieval where surgeons were able to get him some sperm which was stored and frozen ready for future IVF cycles.

Jonathan is incredibly open in this conversation sharing the difficulties of producing a sample and the challenges of coming from a Catholic and Christian family where having these sorts of conversations is incredibly hard.

Jonathan is keen to help break the stigma of male infertility and is an ambassador for fertility network UK and we were so grateful to get the time to chat with him.

Coming up in our bonus podcast series, testhim stories, we spoke with Jonathan Luwagga.

Jonathan shared an incredibly honest and open account of his struggles with infertility and how he had to endure a huge raft of tests and investigations to try and understand why he wasn't producing any sperm.

This is a great conversation.

Full episode out on the 2nd October 2023.

In this episode we had the pleasure of welcoming former fertility nurse Laura Carter Penman.

Now working with Peppy she heads up their male health and male fertility services and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to what she does.

We covered so much around the essential lifestyle and diet factors that men need to consider with some shocking and surprising information about vaping and more!

We never stop learning on these podcasts..... the surprise of what vaping does to sperm!!

Check out the full episode out on Monday 18th September.

We had such a great chat with Laura and covered so much! Here's just a few things that we touched on.

Full episode out on Monday 18th September.

Coming up on testhim stories this month - Frank Fallon

Frank had a very quick and short journey to IVF but the impact on his mental health has still been significant. It's only now after having twins through IVF on the 1st cycle that he's trying to get some answers and understand his fertility issues.

Check out the full episode out on Monday 4th September.

Coming up in September, a fantastic chat with Laura Carter Penman an experienced fertility nurse now working with Peppy health.
We covered so much..... be sure to keep your eyes peeled in September for this great episode.

How do 3 men from very different backgrounds and very different parts of the country end up meeting and starting on a joint mission to change the world of male fertility?

1 a biomedical scientist, 1 a train driver and the other an acupuncturist, it almost sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, but these are the backgrounds of Michael, Toby and Ian the founders of testhim.

Listen in to this episode to find out how it all started and how a couple of simple introductions and conversations started the male fertility ball rolling.

That's right.... the 1st time Toby and Ian met in the flesh, having known each other for over a year online only, involved a warm pot of semen!!

Listen to the full testhim story in our next episode.

Full episode out on 21st August 2023.

Coming up this month..... how testhim started!

Here's a little snippet of Ciaran's story. An incredibly honest and open account of what it's like to go through 12 years of fertility treatment. From the shock of learning about his fertility issues to the steps he took to turn things around it's just so powerful to hear a man share his emotions so openly.

Full episode out Monday 7th August 2023.

Here's what's coming up next month.

How on earth do 3 men from very different worlds end up together and fighting the same mission in the male fertility space.

Well, listen in to this episode to hear how it all came together and how testhim was born (sorry, another bad pun).

Full episode coming on Monday 17th July.

Another not to miss episode with some great hints and tips from an absolute expert in the male fertility space.

Here's a taste of what's to come on this month's podcast. The wonderful Melanie Brown chatting about male fertility and nutrition.

Coming up in July's episode we're joined by the amazing Melanie Brown where we chat about her egg and sperm salad!!

We absolutely loved having Mr Jonathan Ramsay in the studio with us. We went into this recording with no idea where the conversation was going to go and, as is always the case with Jonathan, we weren't disappointed. It's a long one but there was no way we could cut this down.

We got to chat about the history of fertility treatment, how the world of andrology has changed, advanced testing and so much more.

Also, why is ICSI such a problem to the urology industry? What has that done for Urology?

To read more about Jonathan and find out about seeing him you can visit his website:

https://jonathanramsay.co.uk/

Full episode out on Monday 19th June....... you can't afford to miss this one!

This is such an incredible episode with so many fantastic insights.... full episode out on Monday 19th June!!

Here's a little taste of what's to come in this month's episode, a truly fascinating conversation with Jonathan Ramsay about the fertility industry and male fertility.

we're so excited to share this episode of the podcast with you next month we thought we'd give you an early teaser of what's to come in June!!
We were incredibly honoured, and a bit excited, to have the incredible Mr Jonathan Ramsay join us a few weeks back.
We had the most incredible conversation about the state of the fertility world and why male fertility still isn't getting the coverage it deserves.
Keep your eyes peeled for next month's episode......it's a cracker!

Full episode out 22/05/23