Men have biological clocks, too

Nolan Thomas-Best

Submitted photo/The World Egg and Sperm Bank

The ubiquity of male celebrities having children later in life may, in part, skew perception that men can be fertile at any age — Al Pacino welcomed a newborn at age 83! — but most men experience fertility decline after 35. . . . Understanding how age and lifestyle habits affect sperm can help men take proactive steps in protecting their fertility.”

OPINION — Men’s fertility is often overlooked in conversations about reproductive health, yet sperm quality plays a critical role in conception and healthy pregnancy outcomes. However, we are seeing sperm health trends going in the wrong direction. 

The ubiquity of male celebrities having children later in life may, in part, skew perception that men can be fertile at any age — Al Pacino welcomed a newborn at age 83 — but most men experience fertility decline after 35. 

A study published in Fertility and Sterility Journal found that sperm motility decreases by nearly 0.7% each year after age 35. This gradual decline in reproductive health over time is frequently misunderstood or ignored when, in fact, men should be educated about the risks of having a child later in life. 

Understanding how age and lifestyle habits affect sperm can help men take proactive steps in protecting their fertility. 

How does age impact male fertility? 

While men continuously produce new sperm throughout their adult lives, women are bound by a strict biological reality: They are born with every single egg cell they will ever have. However, just because men can produce sperm at any age doesn't mean that sperm quality does not decline.

Sperm count, the number of sperm cells per milliliter of semen; motility, how well the sperm move; and morphology, the  size, shape and physical structure of sperm cells, all decrease in quantity or quality over time. 

The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children found that conception is 30% less likely for men older than 40 than it is for men younger than 30. Not only is conception less likely, but the research also found there is a higher risk of miscarriage or genetic abnormalities in the offspring of older men. 

How does lifestyle impact male fertility? 

Age is not the only factor impacting sperm health. Unsurprisingly, poor diet, obesity, chronic stress, sleep loss and the use of tobacco, alcohol or drugs all reduce sperm quality. The good thing is that these habits are completely changeable. A study by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine notes that smoking alone can reduce sperm concentration by an average of 22%. 

You can't control getting older, but young men who make unhealthy lifestyle choices can see the exact same drop in sperm quality. 

Why care about sperm health? 

So why should men care about the broader decline in sperm health? Researchers are increasingly concerned about worsening male reproductive health worldwide. A meta-analysis published in Human Reproduction Update found that average sperm concentration declined by more than 50% from 1973 to 2018, and it is evident that this decline is accelerating. 

Healthy sperm are not only important for conception but contribute to healthier pregnancies and babies. For men who hope to have kids, protecting sperm health now gives them more pathways to becoming a dad later in life. 

A man's awareness of his own body and genetic history plays a major role in future family planning. Routine doctor visits, blood work and genetic tests can easily catch and treat issues that might harm fertility. 

Preserving fertility for future families 

With healthy habits, young men can increase their fertility outcomes.

But what about the men who want children later in life or do not have prospects of starting a family while their sperm is in its prime? 

Sperm cryopreservation — the process of freezing sperm cells — is an effective way to preserve male fertility before age-related declines begin. The cells are treated with protective fluids and submerged in liquid nitrogen at a freezing -320 degrees Fahrenheit. This extreme environment completely halts cell metabolism, essentially freezing the sperm in time and protecting its genetic integrity. This can provide peace of mind for individuals who are not yet ready to start a family but want to protect future chances of having children of their own.

As awareness of male fertility grows, more men are recognizing the value of taking charge of their reproductive health. By making healthy lifestyle choices and considering fertility preservation, men can better safeguard their ability to build a family in the future.

Nolan Thomas-Bes is practice manager at a Valley egg and sperm bank. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.