PCOS Millennials

When a couple can’t conceive after months—or even years—of trying, one painful question often arises: “Sino ang dapat sisihin?”

Is it the woman with PCOS who’s already struggling with irregular periods, weight gain, and hormone imbalances?

Or could it be the man whose semen quality may not be optimal—but rarely gets talked about?

Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get said enough: infertility is a shared journey. And it’s time we stop putting all the blame on women—especially those already carrying the weight of having PCOS.

The Blame Game: Bakit Lagi na Lang ang Babae?

“Wala pa rin ba kayong anak?”

“Ba’t hindi ka magpatingin sa OB?”

“Naku, baka baog ka…”

For many women with PCOS, these are just some of the heartbreaking comments they’ve endured from family, friends, and even their own partners. The pressure is intense, and sadly, the blame almost always falls on us, the women.

But here’s the truth:

Hindi sa lahat ng pagkakataon ang babae na may condition na PCOS ang dapat sisihin kung bakit hindi pa sila nagkakaanak.

PCOS is one of the leading causes of infertility in women, yes. But did you know that in about 40–50% of infertility cases, the problem lies—at least partly or entirely—with the male partner?

That’s a huge percentage. And yet, how often do we hear about male fertility testing?

PCOS: A Heavy Cross to Bear

Let’s be real. Walang may gusto na magkaroon ng PCOS.

We didn’t choose to struggle with:

• Irregular cycles
• Hormonal imbalances
• Weight fluctuations
• Unwanted hair growth or acne
• Mood swings
• The stigma of being “baog”

And yet, society makes it feel like our fault.

Lalo na sa kultura natin sa Pilipinas, madalas pag hindi nabubuntis ang babae, siya agad ang sinisisi.
“Anong silbi mo kung hindi ka magkaanak?”
“Pumunta ka sa albularyo.”
“Magpatingin ka sa OB, ikaw ‘yan.”

But what if we told you that in many of these situations, the male partner also has underlying issues?

What the Studies Say: It’s Not Just a Women’s Issue

Fertility isn’t solely influenced by a woman’s health, and here’s what the research truly shows:

1. WHO: “1 in 6 people globally experience infertility; male factors contribute about half”

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 17.5% of adults worldwide—nearly 1 in 6 people—experience infertility, defined as not conceiving after 12 months of regular unprotected sex

Moreover, male factor infertility (whether alone or combined with female issues) accounts for roughly 50% of cases

2. Fertility and Sterility (2019): Over 30% of PCOS couples also face male factor infertility

A study in Fertility and Sterility (2019) shows that among couples treated for infertility due to PCOS, more than 30% also had male factor issues—such as low sperm count, poor motility, or abnormal morphology .

While the full paper is behind a paywall, you can explore the journal archives to verify this statistic and see similar data confirming that male factor issues frequently accompany PCOS-related infertility.

3. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology (2021): Suboptimal semen in partners of women with PCOS

A 2021 study published in Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology found that among male partners of women diagnosed with PCOS:

• 51.3% had borderline semen quality, and
• 22.5% had pathological semen parameters—substantially higher than in partners of women without PCOS

This cements the reality: fertility challenges in couples with PCOS often involve both partners, not just the woman.

What Causes Male Infertility?

These studies send a clear message: fertility is a partnership.
Even when one partner has PCOS, ignoring the man’s semen analysis means missing at least half the picture. Delaying semen testing can lead to unnecessary stress, lost opportunities, wasted funds, and emotional strain.

Here’s the part we rarely discuss. Many men face challenges with:

• Sperm count (low quantity)
• Sperm motility (slow or non-moving sperm)
• Sperm morphology (abnormal shape)
• DNA fragmentation (damaged or incomplete sperm)

These can be caused by:

• Smoking, alcohol, or drug use
• Obesity or poor diet
• Stress and lack of sleep
• Environmental toxins (e.g., plastics, pesticides)
• Hormonal imbalances
• Varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum)
• Age (yes, sperm quality declines too)

A Doctor’s Honest Advice

Sabi ng OB-Gyne ko:

“Kailangan ding tingnan ang semen quality ng ating partner na lalaki dahil maraming babae kahit may PCOS ay nabubuntis din—basta’t parehas silang mag-asawa na inaalagaan at ginagabayan ng specialists.”

It takes two to tango, as doctors always say.
Hindi lang babae ang dapat magpatingin kundi parehas kayong mag-asawa.

Sometimes, a couple will focus so much on treating the woman’s PCOS—taking meds, doing lifestyle changes, fertility tracking—only to discover much later that the male partner has low motility or poor morphology.
Sayang ang oras. Sayang ang pera.
And worst of all—sayang ang emotional energy.

Real-Life Stories

🟣 Jessa, 32

“PCOS ako, so I tried Metformin, Clomid, and everything. Wala pa rin. Turns out, my husband had low sperm count. Nagulat kami. If we had only checked earlier, di sana kami napagod ng ganito.”

🟣 Nina, 29

“After 2 failed IUIs, the doctor finally insisted on semen analysis. My boyfriend’s sperm had 95% abnormal morphology. Akala niya okay siya. We both cried. Pero at least, now we know what to work on—together.”

Why the Blame Hurts More Than It Helps

Blaming the woman not only adds pressure, but it also delays the real solutions.
Here’s why:

• She already carries physical and emotional burdens from PCOS.
• She’s often trying everything she can—diet, meds, prayers, supplements.
• She feels ashamed, isolated, and exhausted.

And then you add societal blame?
That’s too much for one heart to carry.

So… Sino ang Dapat Sisihin?

Let’s go back to our main question.

Sino ang dapat sisihin kung hindi pa kayo nagkakaanak?

Walang dapat sisihin.

Because infertility is not a blame game. It’s a shared challenge. A medical condition.
And the sooner both partners get assessed and treated, the better the chances of success.

What You Can Do as a Couple

Here are some steps every couple should consider:

1. Get a comprehensive fertility check—both of you

Don’t wait years just focusing on one partner.

2. Request a semen analysis early

It’s affordable and often covered by HMO. It gives you a clear starting point.

3. Improve lifestyle together

Eat healthier. Exercise. Sleep better. Do it as a team.

4. Manage stress

Infertility can break your spirit. Support each other emotionally.

5. Communicate honestly

Talk about your fears, frustrations, and hopes. Don’t let silence kill your connection.

6. Work with a specialist

Look for an OB-Gyne and an andrologist or urologist who can guide you properly.

You Are Not Alone

If you’re a woman with PCOS and feel like the world is blaming you…
If you’re a man silently wondering if something’s wrong with your body too…
If you’re a couple slowly losing hope…

Know this: you are not alone.

There are thousands of couples navigating this painful, confusing, and emotional path. But with information, honesty, and the right support, there is hope.

Let’s Stop the Blame

Let’s change the conversation.

Let’s raise awareness that fertility is a shared responsibility.
Let’s stop blaming the woman—especially when she’s already doing everything she can.
Let’s encourage our partners, brothers, sons, and friends to also take that brave step to get tested.

If this message resonates with you, please share this post.
And if you’re currently struggling in silence, visit PCOSMillennials.com to find stories, resources, and a community that understands you.

Let’s be part of a kinder, wiser, more supportive generation.

Love, Reese ❤

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Excerpt : 1 in 6 people globally affected by infertility: WHO

Male Infertility

Fertility and Sterility

Free eBook for Every Millennial Woman with PCOS: Your Ultimate Guide to Thriving with Hormonal Imbalance