The Relationship Between Age and Male Infertility

For many women, age and fertility is a concern on the forefront of their minds. However, age can affect male fertility as well. Men should understand that, just as age increases the risk of infertility problems for women, it does the same for men. Fortunately, there are many fertility treatments that can assist patients in conceiving, despite fertility issues that may be present. For male infertility related to age, our Omaha, NE fertility specialists offer a number of treatment options that can address male infertility to give couples a greater chance of realizing their dreams of parenthood.

Age and Male Infertility

As a woman ages, she should be concerned about the quality of the eggs she is producing. Similarly, as a man ages, he should be concerned about the quality of his sperm. Statistics show that, as a man ages, sperm quality suffers and it becomes more difficult to conceive. These issues can affect couples even if the female is significantly younger. Below are some of the facts regarding male infertility and age:

• While a male under the age of 25 is typically able to conceive within four and a half months, the average time for conception for a male over the age of 40 is about two years
• Men over the age of 45 take, on average, about five times as long to achieve conception as those under the age of 25
• Starting at the age of 20, the volume of a man’s semen, and the motility of his sperm (the ability to swim in a forward motion) will begin to gradually decrease
• Men over the age of 45 have a higher risk of having a child with autism, learning disabilities, or mental health problems

All of these statistics show that men who wish to be fathers may want to discuss the issue with their partners sooner, rather than later. However, for those who do choose to wait, there are fertility treatments available if infertility becomes an issue.

Male Fertility Treatments

The fertility treatments offered by our doctors are not just geared toward addressing female infertility. There are several treatment options that aid patients in bypassing male infertility issues in order to successfully conceive. Below are some of the treatment options that may be considered for patients dealing with age-related male infertility:

• Intrauterine insemination (IUI): IUI is a form of artificial insemination. Using either a sperm donor or the male partner’s semen, our doctors can place washed and concentrated sperm into the female partner. This is helpful is addressing mild male-factor infertility.
• In vitro fertilization (IVF): IVF is an assisted reproductive technique that involves fertilizing a woman’s eggs in a laboratory, and then transferring successful embryos back into the uterus. This technique can address male infertility factors as well as female fertility problems.
• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ISCI): In the ISCI approach, the sperm is injected directly into the egg. This is a good option for patients experiencing severe male fertility problems, such as low sperm count or poor motility.

Schedule an Appointment

Although age can affect male fertility, there is no reason for older men to give up on the idea of parenthood. The fertility specialists at Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine, PC offer several fertility treatments that can address male infertility to improve a couple’s chances of becoming parents. Schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience to learn more about these services.