Male Infertility: Sam Hargraves Opens Up About Zero Sperm and Starting a Family
When it comes to talking about fertility problems, women still seem to take centre stage. Hormones, cycles, eggs… it’s all about the female body. But it takes two to tango, and there is another side to fertility that we need to talk about. One that’s just as important, and just as real: male infertility.
For sports broadcaster and commentator Sam Hargraves, that side hit close to home. After learning he had zero sperm, Sam decided he needed to share his story… to tell the honest, unfiltered truth that so many men are uncomfortable talking about.
Because as he puts it, “It takes balls to talk about infertility.”
Facing the Diagnosis: How a Simple Sperm Test Revealed the Truth
Like so many people, Sam always imagined he’d have a family of his own. It felt like something that would just happen when the time was right. But after months of trying to conceive with his partner Evie, they decided it was time to get checked.
“The sperm test was the easy bit,” Sam joked. “Most men have been training for it their whole lives.” But the phone call from Fertility Specialist Dr Chandrika Parmar changed everything. He was diagnosed with ‘azoospermia,’ which means no sperm at all.
“I was about to go on air,” he remembers. “It hit me like a ton of bricks.”
Even with years of therapy and mental health work under his belt, Sam felt completely blindsided. “My first thought was: I’m not a man. It crushed me.”
He rang his dad and broke down in tears. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt worse about myself than I did in that moment.”
Dr Parmar, who has supported many men through similar journeys, understands the emotional toll. “It’s not just about sperm – it’s about identity, masculinity, and how we define ourselves.”
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Why We Need to Talk About Male Infertility More Openly
Despite the stats showing male factor infertility plays a role in nearly half of all cases, it’s still rarely spoken about.
“There’s this unspoken rule,” Sam says. “We just assume the problem isn’t with us. And if it is, we stay silent.”
That silence can be incredibly isolating. Sam believes the emotional weight of infertility can deeply impact men’s mental health – especially when they feel like they’ve failed at something that is so tied to their sense of self.
But something shifted when he chose to open up.
“When I talked about it on air, the messages started coming in. Mates I’d known for years quietly shared that they’d been through the same thing. It was like this whole world of hidden stories opened up. We’ve just never been given permission to talk.”
The Unexpected Link Between a Teenage Injury and Infertility
Sam’s diagnosis wasn’t genetic or hormonal. It actually traced back to a footy injury he got in his teens.
“I copped a knee to the groin in an under-16s match. My testicles swelled like basketballs,” he recalls.
At the time, doctors expected things to heal on their own. But they didn’t.
“We never linked it to fertility until decades later,” Sam says. “But that injury may have been the reason there was no sperm.”
Dr Parmar explains this is exactly why early testing matters. “You just never know what’s going on. A sperm test takes minutes, but the information can be life-changing.”
IVF, Lifestyle Changes and the Journey to Fatherhood
Rather than giving up, Sam and Evie decided to give it everything. Under Dr Parmar’s guidance, he overhauled his lifestyle. He gave up alcohol, changed his diet, started acupuncture, and took supplements.
Then he took another test.
“We got sperm!” Dr Parmar told him.
“They weren’t Olympic-level swimmers,” Sam laughs. “But they were something.”
It wasn’t easy, but step by step, they made progress – freezing sperm and starting the IVF journey. And today, their dream is a reality: they’re proud parents to two beautiful kids.
Challenging Masculinity Myths in the Face of Infertility
Sam’s story isn’t just a story about fertility… It’s about letting go of outdated ideas about masculinity and stepping into something braver.
“When I heard the diagnosis, I felt broken. But being a man isn’t about sperm. It’s about showing up – with love, commitment, and care.”
Dr Parmar agrees: “Getting tested, supporting your partner, owning your health – that’s strength.”
To any man putting off that appointment, Sam has a clear message:
“The time you waste not getting tested is time you could be spending with your future kids. Just do it.”
Even if the result isn’t what you hoped, there’s a way forward with treatments, technology, and support systems ready to help.
“And if your result comes back zero,” Sam says, “that’s not the end – it’s just the start of a different plan.”
Today, Sam and Evie have two little miracles at home. And for Sam, that’s all the proof he needs.
“We’re lucky, and I’ll never stop being grateful.”
Need support?
Genea Fertility offers expert, compassionate care for men and couples navigating infertility. With world-class specialists and advanced testing, they’re here to help you move forward – with confidence, clarity and hope.
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