Men aged 40 and older

Although there is a general belief that whilst women's fertility is limited, male fertility goes on indefinitely, this is not generally true. There may be exceptions but there is considerable evidence that a man's fertility declines at a similar age to the woman. In our own prospective study of 600 couples who were planning a pregnancy (Pregnancy and Lifestyle study), we found that the man's age was an important factor in both infertility and in miscarriage. Once a man reached the age of about 40, his fertility decreased and the changes of his sperm transmitting problems, increased. We also found that this effect was greatest in men whose jobs - such as tradesmen and labourers - had exposed them to chemicals.

It is well known that there is an increased risk of children carrying a single gene mutation as father's age increases.

Is there a lifestyle cause?

Yes. This this effect results from ageing and all the age -related problems like increased rates of cardiovascular problems. There is a loss of mitochondrial function with ageing (energy metabolism) and so correcting diet and any other negative lifestyle habits should enhance male fertility.

For specific advice visit the ez-fertility natural fertility resources and either answer the online lifestyle evaluation or read It takes two - reproducing naturally today.

Other topics:

• Blighted ovum

• Congenital abnormality

• Ectopic pregnancies

• Endometriosis

• Genes and infertility

• Genes and miscarriage

• Lifestyle evaluation for a fertile lifestyle

• Male infertility

• Miscarriage

• Monosomy

• Ovulation, Ovulation chart

• Polycystic ovarian syndrome

• Recurrent miscarriage

• Sexual aspects of fertility

• Stress and fertility

• Triploidy

• Trisomy

• Unexplained infertility

• Women aged 35 or older

 

Adelaide, South Australia, Phone + 618 8244 7551

 Site revised and relaunched January 2010