Infertility is an issue that haunts almost 15% of all couples in the world. That is almost 4.5million people. But we don’t need stats to know that women are often the victim of societal pressure and blame for infertility than men.
However, studies show that one-third of the time the issue of infertility is with the man. This bias has also led many to believe that fertility in men does not decline with age as it does in women.
Men have an unlimited sperm supply during their lifetime, unlike women who have a limited supply that declines in quality over time. But does age affect the quality and quantity of the semen and sperm count?
It does.
Let us look at two studies and their results that prove this.
The first study was among men between the age of 20 to 60, who were undergoing treatment for fertility issues. The study showed that the sperm count reduced from 107 million in the younger men in their 20s to 35.5 million for the men in their 50s.
The second study showed that the rate of fertilisation is higher in men who are younger than 39 at 60% and 51% among men who are older than 39.
Although the quantity of sperm does not decline significantly, the quality can. Age combined with other factors like health, medical injuries and conditions can lead to a decrease in fertility in men.
Causes of Age-Related Fertility Decline in Men
Although men have a renewed supply of sperm every day, men face a decline in fertility with age. This means it has to do with the quality of the sperm rather than the quantity. Three major reasons why men face age-related infertility are:
- Decreased sperm motility or the lowered ability of the sperm to swim towards the egg. Studies suggest that this decreased motility is age-related.
- Decreased sperm morphology or the size and shape of the sperm. Normal men will show a decline in sperm morphology over age which decreases the chances of it fertilising an egg.
- Decreased seminal volume or the amount of semen ejaculated can also be a factor. As a man ages, there might be a slight decrease in the volume of the semen which can lead to a lower chance of fertility.
Other Paternal Age-Related Risks on Genetic Quality
As a man ages, the quality of semen decreases. However, there is also the risk of a decrease in the genetic quality of the sperm. A study showed that the genetic quality decreases with age, and the chances of a genetic defect are higher.
Some of the issues that can occur due to age-related risks include
- Increased chance of miscarriage due to DNA damage. Studies show that 6% of miscarriages are due to poor sperm health.
- Increased risk of some birth defects like neurodevelopmental disorders which include autism, schizophrenia, and Down syndrome.
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Fertility Solutions for Men at Janisthaa
Jaanistha Fertility and IVF Centre focus on the health of both the father and the mother. We rely on modern science and proven skills to ensure that the appropriate treatment is given to address fertility issues in men.
The different treatments available at Jaanistha include Erectile dysfunction treatment, ICSI, IMSI, Varicocele surgery, IUI, IVF, PICSI, and Sperm retrieval. Contact us today to book an appointment with the experts of Jaanistha.
