Men also suffer age-related infertility

There’s a common misconception that men retain their fertility potential for almost a lifetime. Nothing could be further from reality. Men suffer from a similar decline in fertility as much as women. The dual age-related fertility decline is a natural phenomenon, thus skewed blame of women in matters of fertility should be avoided.

The decline in fertility starts in the late 30s, and gets more pronounced from the 40s. The overall sperm quality decreases as age advances. Older men will become incapable of fathering more children, or just contribute to age-related miscarriages and feotal abnormalities.

Men should make decisions in matters of reproduction early enough, balancing this with other competing interests like careers and personal development.

Sperm quality

Your reproductive plans must take account of your current age. You may choose to bring forward, rather than delay child bearing if creeping towards the fourth decade. This may not always conform to your overall ambitions, but must be factored in if you harbour an eventual interest of having a family.

Awareness of fertility decline must be coupled with a lifestyle that maintains optimal sperm quality. Smoking, chewing miraa and use of other recreational drugs are all toxic to sperm quality. It doesn’t end there. Sedentary lifestyles leading to obesity and other illnesses like diabetes also contribute to declining fertility potential. But we are living in an age where even the best-laid plans may come a cropper. So what if you get caught up with the humdrum of competing interests, and have to push back your plans for raising a family to the later decades? Just like for women, men also have the option of fertility preservation. You could choose to freeze your sperms as a backup for later use, when conditions for starting a family are more favourable.

Problem

Better still, you could freeze fertilised eggs (called embryos), if already in a stable relationship but not ready yet to start a family.

Frozen sperms or embryos maintain their quality till eventual use. But there are costs and ethical dilemmas involved in such matters that you must be willing to contend with.

Remember even advances in assisted conception techniques cannot fully compensate for age-related fertility decline.

Aim to seek help early if conception does not occur within six months whilst in the advanced age group. Don’t send your female partner alone to a fertility clinic.

You should always accompany her, as you may be the one with a problem. It doesn’t matter if you have fathered a child before, you must accept the natural fertility decline that comes with getting older.

Quick facts

•Older men have less fertility potential

•Postponing child-bearing to advanced ages is not advisable

Photo: cirmresearch.blogspot.com