The Pain and Blame of Miscarriages Transcript: Recent research shows that in couples who experienced recurrent miscarriages, the men had twice the level of DNA fragmentation in their sperm, and four times the levels of reactive oxygen species in their semen, which can cause DNA damage to sperm. The body seems to have a way of detecting damaged programming, and a maldeveloping fetus and spares a woman the physically expensive process of continuing when it's not viable, but it's a painful loss. Do not just assume the woman is to blame. That is just not valid these days, and therefore an improper and unfair burden to automatically put on her. Women have borne that stigma for years. Even if the cause is with her, assumptions and blaming are not a worthy use of time, energy, or emotion when faced with the profound loss a miscarriage brings. This is a deep visceral loss for a woman that can bind to her for years. Men, you have a distinct opportunity here to stand up and be the protector and comforter that is your charge as her man. Offering up your own accountability lightens that heavy burden that comes to her instinctively as a mother. Demonstrate your accountability and get your hormones checked and your sperm analyzed if you're having fertility problems, and realize that sometimes fertility struggles are the first indication a guy has that his testosterone is low. He may have other symptoms, but he dismisses them because he's so young. You know, low T, that's an older man's problem. Know your sperm numbers, men. Take responsibility. A sperm analysis is the new vital sign in general men's health. We'll talk more about that in the next reel. - @hormonespecialist