Fertility issues in women are common and are often brought to a doctor’s notice if a woman is unable to conceive. However, nobody talks about fertility issues in men. Men too face fertility problems and the chances of these fertility problems cropping up with age are much higher. While ageing is inevitable, there are certain steps that you can take to ensure that your body runs at its optimum.
What Is the Most Fertile Age for a Man?
There has been much research into male fertility and different studies have revealed different results. There are many factors that decide the best age for a man to bear a child. One of the main factors that affect fertility in men is testosterone levels. After the age of 30, the testosterone levels in a man reduces by 1% every year. A reduction in this hormone negatively affects the sperm count. It has also been observed that, after the age of 35, the sperm count of a man begins to reduce.
Apart from the sperm count, another important factor that affects the fertility rate of men is the motility of the sperm produced. Motility of the sperm is the sperm’s ability to travel through the uterus and to the fallopian tube in order to fertilize the egg. The motility of a man is best at the age of 25 and then begins to dip. It is at its lowest at the age of 55 when the motility can drop by 50%.
After the age of 35, the sperm might result in pregnancies where mutations can occur. While this is rare, it is a possibility that one should not ignore. There are many other lifestyle habits that can affect the fertility of a man. Smoking, drinking, wearing tight underwear, and insomnia can also have a negative impact on fertility in men.
The age where a man is most fertile is between the ages of 22 and 25 years. Of course, no men want to father a child at this, it is still suggested that you attempt to have children before the age of thirty. After this age, men’s fertility begins to worsen with age.
Facts About Age and Male Fertility
You must be having many questions about your age and fertility. So, here are a few facts about the relationship between age and male fertility. Read and clear your doubts.
- Ageing is inevitable and when a man ages, he may have difficulty in getting his partner pregnant. While some couples may want to conceive, some couples may not conceive altogether if the man’s age is above 35.
- If the age of the man is above 45, then the chances of a miscarriage are much higher, no matter the age of the pregnant woman.
- If the age of the man is more than 45, the chances of the occurrence of autism, mental health problems, and learning disabilities in the child are much higher.
- At the age of 25, the average time for conceiving is only 4.5 months. After the age of 40, this figure increases to 2 years.
- For couples who have opted for IVF have 5 times less chance of conceiving if the male partner is above the age of 45.
- For female partners, the risk of a miscarriage is twice as high with partners who are above the age of 45 than with male partners who are 25 years old.
- Men above the age of 45 who become fathers have children who have been more than 5 times at risk of falling in the autism spectrum.
The role of male fertility cannot be stressed more in the process of conceiving. When thinking about starting a family, it is best that you keep all of the above factors in mind. While age can slow down your bodily systems, your lifestyle choices can also have a negative impact on your fertility.
If you are concerned about fertility, then it is best that you make an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor will be able to give you the best options for male fertility issues. Apart from this, you should also seriously consider options regarding quitting any lifestyle habits that are adversely affecting your reproductive health. This includes smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
Male infertility is one of the main causes of depression. If you or your partner is infertile or has doubts about fertility, please contact your doctor. They will get you in touch with counsellors and psychiatrists to ensure your mental health is taken care of along with your physical health. Remember to consult your doctors about your options in detail, even if you can’t have children, you can adopt or find a surrogate.
If you and your partner are struggling with the emotional repercussions because of fertility issues, it is recommended that you talk openly to your partner and a therapist. It also helps to have friends and family around you during this difficult time. You may feel the need to hide your struggles but being open about it can help. Your family and friends may offer valuable suggestions and help you get through this difficult time.
