Former Bachelorette star’s wife opens up about fertility struggle

A former reality television star and his wife, who works in public relations, have opened up about their fertility struggle in a bid to help others going through the same.

A former reality star and his wife have opened up about their fertility journey, shedding light on an issue that many refuse to talk about.

Luke McLeod rose to fame on the 2017 season of The Bachelorette, competing for Sophie Monk’s heart.

But, two years after appearing on the reality television show, the meditation guide found love with public relations sensation Brittany Bennett, who runs Bennett PR.

The pair met at an event Brittany’s colleague was hosting, with the 36-year-old telling news.com.au there was an “instant spark” between them.

“That was in June and then in October I had gone on a dating app, because I haven’t dated in a couple of years,” Brittany said.

Brittany and Luke got engaged in June last year. Picture: Instagram

“So after a string of average experiences, I was to delete it. And then I noticed that he had liked me three weeks earlier. I decided to give him 20 minutes and he replied. Then we ended up dating.”

That was in 2019, and the pair quickly moved in together due to Covid. In June 2022, Luke proposed and the pair tied the knot earlier this year at Spicers Guesthouse in the Hunter Valley, where they shared their first trip.

Initially, the pair started trying for a family once they were engaged but decided to wait until after their wedding.

“We didn’t think that we would have any fertility issues, but if we did have them, I assumed it would be on my side because I had a pretty serious eating disorder when I was younger,” Brittany said.

“I also had a really bad burnout about five years ago, which took me about 18 months to recover from.”

They pair met at an event, and then on a dating app. Picture: Instagram

To increase chances, Brittany began to do pregnancy-specific acupuncture, changed her diet and cut down on her drinking. All blood tests came back showing positive results.

“The first few months we thought we were pregnant and we were really emotional when we weren’t. I was having proper morning sickness symptoms. It was quite mind bending,” she said.

Brittany said the couple had to adjust and realise this was just something that was happening, and not an indicator that they had fallen pregnant. They were told by their doctor they should wait a year before trying other measures, such as IVF.

The pair got married earlier this year and started trying for a baby. Picture: Heath Bennett

However, the couple ended up doing a sperm test.

“Luke did the sperm test it was about a week and a half ago and he got the results back a few days later, but he didn’t tell me for two days because he was worried about stressing me out,” Brittany said.

“He finally came up and told me and he basically was like, my sperm count is nil.”

Luke decided to do a self-test, and discovered a lump. Immediately, the worst sprang to mind and the couple believed Luke may have cancer.

The pair have opened up about their fertility journey. Picture: Instagram

“She said that she doesn’t think it’s cancer because it’s a bit too soft but it was a massive cyst. I was just throwing up all day. It was horrible,” Brittany said.

“I literally thought my husband was going to die.”

But, thankfully, Luke was given the all clear but another sperm test showed nil. The couple are hoping there is just a blockage and it can be remedied.

Luke spoke out about the couple's fertility issues on the Neil Mitchell Asks Why podcast.

“I do think it is a positive thing to get out there because it’s a lot. I mean, how many guys check themselves, especially, and lots of people wouldn’t know to do the sperm test,” Brittany said.

“Women are standing up and talking about miscarriage and struggling to fall pregnant whereas a lot of guys don’t. I think that it’s really good that he spoke up about it.”

For now, the couple are hopeful on their fertility journey and Brittany is just focusing on the life they currently have together.