Dr. Brian Steixner’s entry into men’s healthcare and fertility care
Dr. Brian Steixner’s path to male fertility work started in oncology. As a urologist treating cancer patients, he noticed a pattern that profoundly shaped his career: While cancer survival rates improved, many men continued to struggle with sexual side effects such as erectile dysfunction, testosterone imbalances and infertility – problems that were often overlooked once treatment ended.
This experience led him to focus on well-being and survival of menexpanding his work beyond cancer care and into broader sexual and reproductive health.
His career highlights a systemic divide that sex educators routinely encounter: medical treatments often address survival, but not quality of life, fertility, or sexual well-being. Education fills that gap.
Male factor infertility: what it is and why it is misunderstood
Male factor infertility refers to any condition in which a man’s reproductive health contributes to difficulty conceiving. Despite outdated assumptions, infertility is not primarily a women’s issue.
Dr. Steixner emphasizes that male factors contribute to infertility more than half the timeYet men are often evaluated later – or not at all.
Contributing factors include:
Low sperm count
Poor sperm motility (difficulty swimming)
Abnormal sperm morphology (head or tail structure)
Hormonal imbalances
Previous surgeries or medical conditions
Lifestyle and environmental exposure
Sex educators trained through a sex educator certification The program helps dismantle myths that exclusively blame women and normalize male fertility evaluation as a standard part of reproductive care.
Sperm health as a biomarker for overall health
One of the most powerful insights that Dr. Steixner shares, is that Sperm health reflects overall male well-being.
A semen analysis evaluates:
The number of sperm cells present
How effectively sperm moves
Whether sperm is structurally healthy
These factors do not develop overnight. Sperm quality is determined by years – often decades – of lifestyle patterns, especially between the ages of 18 and 35.
This information is of fundamental importance for sex educators. It allows professionals to learn that fertility is not random or predetermined, but is deeply influenced by modifiable behaviors and systemic health factors.
The global decline in sperm health
The worldwide decline in sperm counts does not occur in isolation. Dr. Steixner points to several contributors:
Poor nutritional quality of modern diets
Sedentary lifestyle
Chronic stress
Chemical exposure from plastics and industrial pollutants
Increased metabolic and hormonal disruption
Sex educators play a critical role in helping individuals understand how these macro-level issues translate into personal reproductive health outcomes – without fear-based messages or shame.
When should men seek a fertility evaluation?
One of the most common questions couples ask is when to seek help. Dr. Steixner recommends:
It takes several months for natural fertilization
Seek retrospective evaluation 6–12 months of failed attempts
Seek help early if the couple is in their mid-to-late 30s or older
Sex educators help normalize early assessments and emphasize that fertility assessments are a proactive step and not a failure.
What young men need to know about sperm health
Sperm takes approx 70-75 days to ripenmeaning the choices made today will impact fertility outcomes months later.
Dr. Steixner consistently emphasizes simple but impactful interventions:
This information is especially important for young men who may not be planning a family yet but want to preserve future fertility options.
Sex educators trained through SHA are equipped to deliver this education in developmentally appropriate, non-alarmist ways.
Sperm banking and fertility preservation
Historically, sperm banking was primarily associated with cancer treatment or medical emergencies. Today, that story is changing.
More and more men are choosing to store sperm earlier in life, realizing that sperm quality can decline with age and environmental exposure. This trend reflects greater awareness, but also underscores the need for accurate, ethical education.
Sex educators help individuals understand fertility preservation options without commercial pressure or misinformation.
The emotional impact of male factor infertility
Dr. Steixner is clear: Infertility can be emotionally devastating for men.
Many men experience infertility diagnoses as a threat to their identity, masculinity and self-esteem. Shame, silence and isolation often follow, especially in cultures where male fertility is rarely discussed.
This is where professionally trained sex educators are essential.
A certified sexual health professional can do that:
Deal with the emotional and relational consequences of infertility
Reduce stigma and isolation
Encourage open communication between partners
Support informed decision making
Education, when provided skillfully, becomes a form of care.
Why Sex Educator Certification Is Essential When Addressing Male Infertility
Male factor infertility is not just a medical problem; it is a social, emotional and educational problem.
Sex educators serve as trusted guides who help individuals and couples:
Understand the timelines for sperm health and fertility
Advocate for appropriate medical evaluation
Separate myths from evidence-based information
Sexual Health Alliance sex educator certification programs provide comprehensive training rooted in science, ethics and inclusivity, preparing professionals to lead these conversations responsibly.
Become part of the solution
The fertility crisis will not be solved with drugs alone. It requires education, standardization and professionals trained to meet people where they are.
Sexual Health Alliance empowers sex educators to address male infertility and sperm health with clarity, confidence and care, transforming lives.
If you’re passionate about sexual health, fertility education, or reproductive justice, find one Sex educator certification is one of the most impactful ways to contribute to meaningful change.
Do you want to become an in-demand sexual health professional? Learn more about how to get certified with SHA!
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