When it comes to fertility, the focus is often placed on women—but male reproductive health is just as vital to family-forming outcomes. This Men’s Health Month, employers have a powerful opportunity to expand their benefits strategy and provide meaningful support to male employees navigating fertility challenges.
The Missing Piece in Family-Forming Benefits
Male infertility contributes to roughly 50% of infertility cases, yet it remains vastly underdiagnosed, undertreated and misunderstood. Societal stigma, lack of awareness and outdated perceptions often leave men out of the reproductive health conversation—and out of benefit plans designed to support family-building.
Ignoring male fertility not only perpetuates these disparities but also delays treatment and increases emotional and financial stress for employees and their partners. For employers striving to build inclusive, equitable workplaces, integrating male fertility into health benefits is no longer optional—it’s essential.
Why Male Fertility Deserves Attention
Research shows that sperm counts have declined by more than 50% over the last few decades. Environmental toxicants, stress, lifestyle factors and underlying health conditions can all negatively impact male fertility. Despite this, many men don’t seek care until late in the family-forming journey—if at all.
Providing access to early screening, diagnosis and support helps remove barriers and empowers employees to take charge of their reproductive health. It also ensures that fertility care isn’t framed as a “women’s issue,” but rather as a shared responsibility with shared solutions.
Additionally, it is important to note that men with infertility are at higher risk of having other medical conditions with some, such as cancer, being very serious.
What Inclusive Fertility Benefits Should Include
Employers can take real, actionable steps toward addressing this gap in care. At ARC Fertility, we believe that family-forming benefits should reflect the full spectrum of employee needs—including men’s reproductive health. Here’s how employers can build more inclusive benefits:
1. Access to Male Fertility Evaluations
Routine semen analysis, hormonal testing and urological assessments should be covered and easily accessible. These basic evaluations can identify underlying issues early and guide more effective treatment plans.
2. Specialist Support and Referral Pathways
Employees should have access to board-certified reproductive urologists and fertility specialists who can diagnose and treat male infertility with expertise and compassion.
3. Fertility Preservation Options
Sperm freezing isn’t just for cancer patients. It’s a proactive tool for anyone who wants to safeguard their future fertility—especially those delaying parenthood, undergoing medical treatments, or in high-risk professions.
4. Emotional Health and Counseling Resources
The emotional toll of infertility affects everyone. Men often experience anxiety, shame and isolation but are often less likely to seek support. Benefits should include access to mental health resources that address the unique emotional challenges of male infertility.
5. Language Matters: Communicate Inclusively
Employee education materials should speak to all family-forming paths—not just those focused on maternal care. Use language that includes male partners, LGBTQ+ individuals and solo parents by choice.
ARC Fertility: Supporting Every Path to Parenthood
At ARC Fertility, we’re proud to partner with employers to offer comprehensive, inclusive family-forming benefits that reflect the real lives of today’s workforce. Our programs support men at every stage of their fertility journey—whether they’re preserving sperm, seeking answers about infertility, or navigating treatment alongside a partner.
We make it easy for employers to offer high-value care with:
- No per-employee-per-month (PEPM) fees – You only pay when services are used
- Access to 450+ board-certified fertility specialists nationwide
- Concierge Care Navigators who guide employees from first steps to final outcomes
- Tech-enabled tools, including the FertilityNow® app, for convenient education and support
Why It Matters for Employers
Offering inclusive fertility benefits is more than a trend—it’s a business imperative. Studies show that 88% of employees would consider changing jobs for better fertility benefits. Supporting male fertility contributes to:
- Stronger retention
- Improved workplace morale
- Greater equity across employee populations
- Reduced absenteeism and long-term healthcare costs
By acknowledging and addressing male fertility, you send a clear message: every employee’s health journey matters—and your company is ready to support it.
Let’s Lead the Change
This Men’s Health Month, take a proactive step toward more inclusive reproductive care. Whether it’s updating your benefits language, covering male fertility evaluations, or connecting with a trusted partner like ARC Fertility, the time to act is now.
📩 Contact ARC Fertility to learn how your organization can provide meaningful, modern family-forming benefits for everyone.