Cracking the Code: Sperm DNA, Miscarriage, and the Future of Fertility Care

In this special episode of The Fertility Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Lalana Songra, medical advisor at Examine Lab, to talk about the urgent need for better understanding and testing around male fertility, particularly sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF).

As someone whose own fertility journey involved a male factor diagnosis, this is a topic close to my heart. And it’s still one that doesn’t get enough attention.

We explore why male fertility plays such a vital role in conception, pregnancy loss, and future child health, and how overlooked it still is in both diagnosis and support.

What we discuss in this episode:

• What sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) actually is and how it’s different from a standard semen analysis
• The difference between single-strand vs double-strand sperm DNA damage and how they impact fertility
• How new research links high SDF levels to recurrent pregnancy loss, even when semen analysis appears normal
• Why it’s problematic that men are only looked at after multiple pregnancy losses
• The lifestyle and health factors that impact sperm quality, and how quickly men can improve it
• What the sperm testing process looks like and where to access it
• The importance of including men in the conversation around fertility and pregnancy loss
• How better male testing can lead to more accurate, personalised treatment decisions (like ICSI vs IVF)
• Why early intervention and equal diagnosis for men matters, not just emotionally but medically

If you’ve had unexplained infertility, failed cycles, or losses with no clear answer, this episode could help you explore new questions and possibilities.

Special thanks to Examine, sponsor of this episode

Examine offers direct, cutting-edge sperm DNA fragmentation testing (including single and double-strand damage) used by 85% of fertility clinics across the UK and Ireland.

Tests are:

• Non-invasive
• Available via clinics or partner hubs
• Designed to provide clarity, confidence, and actionable insight

You don’t need a referral to get tested – just book online, drop off your sample, and get detailed results you can discuss with your clinic.

🔍 Learn more at examinelab.com

Let’s keep the conversation going:

• Follow me on Instagram: @fertilitypoddy
• Email your thoughts or guest ideas: natalie@thefertilitypodcast.com
• Follow our advocacy work: @fertility.action
• Learn more about the men’s health campaign with Fertility Action and Test Him
• Find out more about SDF testing via your clinic or directly at examinelab.com

Please subscribe and leave a review if this episode spoke to you – and do share it with someone who may need this conversation.

Until next time.