Joining us this week on The Male Fertility Podcast is Tony Suckling, here to share his long and emotional fertility journey.

Tony’s story began in 2012, shortly after he and his wife got married. Like many couples, they believed getting pregnant would happen naturally. But after years of trying with no success, Tony decided to take a basic sperm test. The results showed a low sperm count, prompting him to make lifestyle changes in hopes of improving it.

When nothing worked, they turned to a fertility clinic. At their first consultation, Tony was told they wouldn’t be able to conceive naturally. He describes the heartbreak of hearing those words, and the isolation he felt in the aftermath.

Tony opens up about how the clinic’s focus was solely on his wife – despite him being the one with low sperm count. No further tests were done on him, leaving him feeling overlooked. He shares their experience with ICSI, detailing their first cycle and how he emotionally shut down, avoiding conversations and isolating himself.

After stepping away from the fertility world for a while, Tony and his wife decided to try again. He talks about finding support from Melanie and Johnathon – two people who became instrumental in helping him through the journey, unlike the clinic that offered little emotional support.

Tony then shares a deeply personal moment – his wife falling pregnant naturally, only to suffer a miscarriage at 7 weeks. The loss pushed them to seek out a new clinic in Spain, where they experienced exceptional care and compassion. Even when Covid prevented them from traveling to retrieve their embryos, the clinic stayed supportive. Last year, they were finally able to move forward – and now have a beautiful daughter.

Throughout the episode, Tony highlights the importance of opening up. He describes how talking to others became a form of therapy, helping him process the emotional weight of their journey. He also shares the impact of a DNA fragmentation test, which revealed critical insights that had previously been missed by their first clinic.

Tony and Ciaran reflect on their shared experiences, including an Everest trip that became a significant turning point for both of them. Together, they discuss the emotional lows, the feelings of inadequacy, and how connecting with others helped them heal.

Tony also addresses the atmosphere in fertility clinics, noting how clinical and tense they often feel. He advocates for more open conversations and less isolation for couples going through treatment.

His biggest piece of advice: Get tested early and thoroughly. Don’t avoid it – taking action puts you one step ahead.