Can age affect fertility in men?
Age plays a very important role in male fertility, but it doesn't mean that men cannot become fathers later in their life. It's important for them to make healthy lifestyle choices, manage stress, and stay aware of reproductive health to maintain sperm quality and hormone balance.
New Delhi: When we talk about fertility and age, there are most people think it only matters for women, but age can also affect men. Men's sperm quality can decrease, hormone levels may change, and the chances of genetic problems can also increase as they grow older. These changes can make it difficult for couples to get pregnant and can also affect the health of their baby.
Dr. Saarthak Bakshi, CEO of RISAA IVF, interacted with TV9 English and explained how the biological clock takes a toll on male fertility.
How Age Affects Male Fertility?
A man’s fertility slowly changes with age. Some changes can happen with time and can make it difficult to get pregnant naturally. Here are some ways in which age can affect male fertility:
- Sperm count may decrease.
- Sperm movement and shape (motility and morphology) can decrease.
- DNA damage in sperm may increase.
- Testosterone and other hormone levels can drop.
- Chances of conception may become slower with age.
Common Signs of Age-Related Fertility Changes in Men
It’s not easy to notice any changes in fertility at first. But there are some signs to know that sperm quality or hormone levels are getting affected.
Here are some common signs of age related fertility changes in men:
- You have a lower libido, and your sexual desire has also become low.
- Having difficulty in getting or maintaining erections.
- You have lower semen volume during ejaculation.
- Decreased sperm count or slower sperm movement (motility).
- Fatigue, mood changes, or low energy due to lower testosterone levels.
- It takes a longer time for couples to get pregnant naturally.
Scientific Facts and Myths About the Male Biological Clock
There are many people who think that only women have a biological clock but men also have it. So, it’s important to know the facts and myths about male fertility to help them to make better decisions.
Here are some facts about the male biological clock, including the following:
- Men can stay fertile after the age of 40 but the sperm quality may decrease.
- Older age can increase DNA damage in sperm, and this can also affect the pregnancy or the baby’s health.
- Testosterone levels decrease slowly and this can affect sexual health and sperm production.
- Diet, exercise, smoking, and alcohol can also affect fertility.
Here are some common myths about male fertility and age:
"Men can become a fathers at any age without any risk” – This is not true because fertility decreases slowly, and risks may also increase.
"Fertility problems are always because of women” – This is not true because men contribute to nearly half of fertility problems.
"Lifestyle doesn’t matter” – This is not true because healthy habits are important for fertility.
Tips to Improve Male Fertility
Some simple steps can help men maintain their sperm health and improve their chances of conception. Below, I’m sharing some tips to improve male fertility, including:
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Exercise regularly.
- Avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption.
- Manage stress.
- Get enough sleep.
- Regular health check-ups.
Age plays a very important role in male fertility, but it doesn’t mean that men cannot become fathers later in their lives. It’s important for them to make healthy lifestyle choices, manage stress, and stay aware of reproductive health to maintain sperm quality and hormone balance. So, it's important for them to have regular check-ups to find out any issues before they become serious.