Can a man's age affect his fertility?
Yes, it can. Men have a biological clock of sorts. Men in their 70s or even 80s can, and do, father children. But a man this age is more likely to take years rather than months to get his partner pregnant.
The older a man is, the longer it will take him to get his partner pregnant. The chance of conception taking more than a year is:
about eight per cent when the man is under 25
about 15 per cent when the man is over 35
An age gap can make a difference, too . If a woman's partner is at least five years older than her, she has less chance of conceiving within a year than if her partner is the same age. That's the case whatever the woman's age.
How do men and women's biological clocks differ?
There is a clear difference between men and women. A woman's oestrogen levels plummet once she reaches a certain age and this change is irreversible. The changes in hormone levels men experience aren't as sudden or noticeable, but happen gradually. The other major difference is that all women eventually reach menopause and stop releasing eggs. But a man can usually produce sperm throughout his lifetime.
Are genetic problems linked to older men?
Very rarely, problems are associated with the dad being older. The following conditions may be linked the age of the dad:
Restricted growth (achondroplasia) or dwarfism. Achondroplasia is very rare. It affects about one in 10,000 births. So, as a couple, it's highly unlikely that your child would be affected by achondroplasia.
Down's syndrome, a genetic condition that causes learning difficulties and some health problems.
Schizophrenia, a long term mental health problem.
Not all experts agree about the link between the dad's age and these conditions, though. It's possible that factors other than the dad's age can have an effect.
For example, whether or not somebody develops schizophrenia can depend on several factors. These include a family history of the disease, as well as lifestyle and social factors, such as using drugs, being bullied and growing up in a city.
It's known that a mum's age is a risk factor for Down's syndrome but there is still debate about how relevant a dad's age is. Overall, it's been found that the risk of Down's syndrome is highest when both parents are over 35.
Why are genetic problems more common as we get older?
Both younger and older men develop damaged or unhealthy sperm, but usually a natural process called apoptosis gets rid of them. However, apoptosis does not occur as efficiently in older men. This means that a higher percentage of damaged sperm get into the semen of men over 35 than in those of younger men.
Women who are 35 and under have a built-in mechanism in their eggs that repairs damaged DNA introduced by the sperm. But that safety net starts to break down after the age of 35. That's why some of the risks of genetic disorders only matter when both the mum and dad are older.
The risk of miscarriage, so often caused by genetic abnormalities, is only increased for older dads when the mum is aged 35 or more too.
Does weight affect male fertility?
Yes, men who put on a lot of weight increase their risk of fertility problems. Being obese can reduce the quantity and quality of your sperm. It may also mean that you have health problems, such as heart disease and diabetes, which may affect your ability to get an erection.
An extra four or five points on a man's BMI (body mass index) can age his testosterone levels by 10 years. A waist size of 102 cm (40in) or more is also a risk factor for heart disease in men. Heart disease slows blood flow throughout all parts of the body, including the penis.
Diabetes is another weight-related medical condition common in older men. Diabetes can interfere with libido and reduce sperm quality.
What can older men do to boost their fertility?
So that's the bad news. Now for the good. There is plenty men can do keep their fertility and potency in tip-top condition. Eating healthily is a great start. Some fertility problems linked with obesity may be reversible. Losing weight may lead to improved sperm count.
Lifestyle changes could improve fertility too. Before trying to become a dad, it may be worth having a health check-up at your local surgery.
Causes of male infertility are almost always easier to identify and fix than female infertility. Most of the common problems are also more likely to be experienced by older men. These problems could include:
a low sperm count
ducts that carry ejaculating sperm becoming clogged
infection in the testes
problems getting an erection
If a couple is having problems getting pregnant, it's just as important for the man to see a specialist as it is for the woman.
Finally, you can comfort yourself with the fact that, while male fertility may gradually decline with the years, the majority of men will still be fertile and functioning at 60 and beyond.
Yes, it can. Men have a biological clock of sorts. Men in their 70s or even 80s can, and do, father children. But a man this age is more likely to take years rather than months to get his partner pregnant.
The older a man is, the longer it will take him to get his partner pregnant. The chance of conception taking more than a year is:
about eight per cent when the man is under 25
about 15 per cent when the man is over 35
An age gap can make a difference, too . If a woman's partner is at least five years older than her, she has less chance of conceiving within a year than if her partner is the same age. That's the case whatever the woman's age.
How do men and women's biological clocks differ?
There is a clear difference between men and women. A woman's oestrogen levels plummet once she reaches a certain age and this change is irreversible. The changes in hormone levels men experience aren't as sudden or noticeable, but happen gradually. The other major difference is that all women eventually reach menopause and stop releasing eggs. But a man can usually produce sperm throughout his lifetime.
Are genetic problems linked to older men?
Very rarely, problems are associated with the dad being older. The following conditions may be linked the age of the dad:
Restricted growth (achondroplasia) or dwarfism. Achondroplasia is very rare. It affects about one in 10,000 births. So, as a couple, it's highly unlikely that your child would be affected by achondroplasia.
Down's syndrome, a genetic condition that causes learning difficulties and some health problems.
Schizophrenia, a long term mental health problem.
Not all experts agree about the link between the dad's age and these conditions, though. It's possible that factors other than the dad's age can have an effect.
For example, whether or not somebody develops schizophrenia can depend on several factors. These include a family history of the disease, as well as lifestyle and social factors, such as using drugs, being bullied and growing up in a city.
It's known that a mum's age is a risk factor for Down's syndrome but there is still debate about how relevant a dad's age is. Overall, it's been found that the risk of Down's syndrome is highest when both parents are over 35.
Why are genetic problems more common as we get older?
Both younger and older men develop damaged or unhealthy sperm, but usually a natural process called apoptosis gets rid of them. However, apoptosis does not occur as efficiently in older men. This means that a higher percentage of damaged sperm get into the semen of men over 35 than in those of younger men.
Women who are 35 and under have a built-in mechanism in their eggs that repairs damaged DNA introduced by the sperm. But that safety net starts to break down after the age of 35. That's why some of the risks of genetic disorders only matter when both the mum and dad are older.
The risk of miscarriage, so often caused by genetic abnormalities, is only increased for older dads when the mum is aged 35 or more too.
Does weight affect male fertility?
Yes, men who put on a lot of weight increase their risk of fertility problems. Being obese can reduce the quantity and quality of your sperm. It may also mean that you have health problems, such as heart disease and diabetes, which may affect your ability to get an erection.
An extra four or five points on a man's BMI (body mass index) can age his testosterone levels by 10 years. A waist size of 102 cm (40in) or more is also a risk factor for heart disease in men. Heart disease slows blood flow throughout all parts of the body, including the penis.
Diabetes is another weight-related medical condition common in older men. Diabetes can interfere with libido and reduce sperm quality.
What can older men do to boost their fertility?
So that's the bad news. Now for the good. There is plenty men can do keep their fertility and potency in tip-top condition. Eating healthily is a great start. Some fertility problems linked with obesity may be reversible. Losing weight may lead to improved sperm count.
Lifestyle changes could improve fertility too. Before trying to become a dad, it may be worth having a health check-up at your local surgery.
Causes of male infertility are almost always easier to identify and fix than female infertility. Most of the common problems are also more likely to be experienced by older men. These problems could include:
a low sperm count
ducts that carry ejaculating sperm becoming clogged
infection in the testes
problems getting an erection
If a couple is having problems getting pregnant, it's just as important for the man to see a specialist as it is for the woman.
Finally, you can comfort yourself with the fact that, while male fertility may gradually decline with the years, the majority of men will still be fertile and functioning at 60 and beyond.
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