NutraCast: Optimizing and destigmatizing men’s reproductive health

One-third of infertility cases are due to female reproductive issues, one-third are due to male reproductive issues, and one-third are due to either the male and female reproductive issues together or to completely unknown causes, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services​. 

Dr. Mark Ratner, founder and chief science officer at Theralogix, is an expert in male reproductive health. He reflected on the evolution of the field over the past 30 years and how the introduction of Viagra has helped destigmatize conversations around male reproductive health. 

“The concept of reproductive health was sort of revolutionized 25 years ago when Pfizer launched Viagra,” he said. “I mean, it really kind of took reproductive health for men kind of out of the shadows because erectile function is a key part of reproductive health for men.

“And then a brilliant marketing person realized, okay, we need to kind of loosen things up a little bit here and make it a little bit less onerous for men. And they started calling it erectile dysfunction, and that was actually then shortened to ED…It became very easy to talk about for most men.” 

Dr. Ratner also delved into the research and development process behind Theralogix offerings and being an early pioneer in developing preconception-focused prenatal vitamins for men rather than just pregnancy-focused formulas. 

Theralogix has two reproductive health formulas for men, ConceptionXR Reproductive Health Formula and ConceptionXR Motility Support Formula. 

“Why do we have two? Well, the basic one is a reproductive health formula, and it is primarily antioxidants…and that product, because it's mostly just antioxidants, is relatively inexpensive. Because the Motility Support Formula contains L-carnitine, it's pretty expensive—L-carnitine is a very expensive raw material,” Dr. Ratner said, adding that L-carnitine is a nutrient that has been shown in many studies to improve sperm motility.

To hear more on men’s reproductive health, access to IVF, ‘Ozempic babies’ and more, listen to the NutraCast.

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