Fertility is defined as the ability to conceive and carry a pregnancy to term. When it comes to fertility, many people believe that it is a female issue. However, the impact of age on fertility is more complex than that.

Both men and women experience changes in their fertility as they age.

Male Fertility and Age

While it is true that women have a limited number of eggs and their fertility declines as they age, men also experience age-related changes in fertility.

As men age, the quality and quantity of their sperm decline, making it harder for them to fertilize an egg.

Researchers have found that men over the age of 40 are more likely to have difficulty fathering a child than younger men.

In addition, older fathers are more likely to pass on genetic mutations to their children, which can lead to birth defects and developmental disorders.

Female Fertility and Age

As mentioned earlier, women have a limited number of eggs, and their fertility declines as they age.

This decline in fertility is caused by a combination of factors, including a decrease in the number of eggs and a decline in the quality of the remaining eggs.

The decline in fertility typically begins in a woman’s mid-to-late 20s and accelerates in her late 30s. By the age of 40, a woman’s chance of becoming pregnant each month is less than 5%. By the age of 45, most women are infertile.

In addition to a decline in fertility, women who delay childbearing are at increased risk of pregnancy complications, such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and miscarriage.

They are also more likely to require assisted reproductive technologies, such as IVF, to conceive.

The Impact of Age on Male and Female Fertility

While men and women experience age-related changes in fertility differently, the impact of age on fertility is significant for both sexes.

Age-related infertility is a growing concern, as more and more people delay childbearing for various reasons, such as pursuing career goals, financial stability, or finding the right partner.

Delayed childbearing can have a significant impact on family size, fertility treatment outcomes, and the health of mother and child. In addition, it can increase the cost of fertility treatments and decrease the chances of success.

While age-related infertility cannot be completely prevented, there are steps that men and women can take to improve their chances of conceiving at an older age.

For women, it is important to maintain a healthy weight, quit smoking, and limit alcohol consumption. They should also consider freezing their eggs if they are not ready to have children, but want to preserve their fertility.

For men, it is important to maintain a healthy weight, quit smoking, and avoid excessive alcohol consumption. They should also consider having children at a younger age, if possible, to avoid the negative impact of aging on their fertility.

Conclusion

The impact of age on fertility is more complicated than many people realize. Both men and women experience age-related changes in fertility, which can make it harder to conceive and carry a pregnancy to term.

While these changes cannot be completely prevented, there are steps that men and women can take to improve their chances of conceiving at an older age.