What Happens to Your Fertility as You Age? A Look at Male Reproductive Health Over Time

When conversations about fertility and age come up, the focus is often on women. While it’s true that female fertility declines more sharply after 35, men are not immune to the effects of aging. Advancing paternal age can make it harder to conceive, increase the chance of miscarriage, and be linked to certain health risks for children. Understanding how age impacts male fertility can help individuals and couples make informed decisions about family planning.

Declining Sperm Quality

As men age, declining testosterone levels, reduced blood flow to the pelvic area, and environmental factors can negatively affect sperm quality. Significant changes in sperm quality with age include:

• DNA damage: The DNA in sperm cells deteriorates with age, causing mutations that increase the risk of genetic abnormalities in offspring.
• Reduced motility (movement): The ability of sperm to move efficiently toward the egg decreases with age.
• Decreased morphology (shape): As men age, the number of sperm with normal shapes and structures declines.
• Lower semen volume: Older men may experience a decrease in the total volume of semen.

Male Fertility and Age

As sperm quality declines with age, it takes longer for a man to conceive a child successfully. Furthermore, advanced paternal age is associated with higher miscarriage rates, regardless of the mother's age. Research indicates that the success rates and fertilization rates for eggs fertilized with sperm from older men during in vitro fertilization (IVF) are lower. Additionally, advanced paternal age is linked to an increased risk of genetic and developmental conditions in offspring.

Male Fertility Preservation Options

Sperm banking can help men preserve their fertility for future use. Advanced cryopreservation (freezing) techniques allow patients to preserve sperm in a suspended state indefinitely. Once cryopreserved, the sperm will not age, degrade, or undergo any changes over time. When thawed for future use, the sperm sample remains exactly as it was on the day it was frozen.

Learn More About Sperm Banking

Although advanced paternal age is not as impactful as advanced maternal age, it can still affect male fertility and the health of future children. At The Fertility Center of California, we utilize state-of-the-art technology to bank sperm and preserve fertility, allowing patients to grow their families on their own timelines. For more information about sperm banking in San Diego or Orange County, request a consultation today.