This week the Washington Post took an in-depth look at male infertility, asking what role men play in conceiving healthy children and addressing long-held assumptions about the effect the age of both parents has on children. Since the arrival of birth control and the rise of women in the workforce over 40 years ago, the focus on fertility has been squarely on women. Countless studies show that once a woman reaches 35 her fertility decreases markedly and, traditionally, most people erroneously consider fertility—or infertility—a female problem.
Beginning with the baby boomers (who will begin turning 70 in 2016), the age of parenthood has steadily risen. A hundred years ago it was common for couples to begin having children in their late teens and early 20s. That number has dramatically declined and more men and women are waiting until their 30s and 40s to start families. Culturally this shift has largely been attributed to the wide availability of birth control that coincided with the baby boomer women entering the work force en masse in the 1970s. It was only then that the term “biological clock” entered into our cultural lexicon to describe the condition of women who were putting off having children. However, this term has not been applied to men until recently.
As a society many have assumed that men don’t face the same struggles or risks as they age as women do. This is beginning to change.
The Impact of the Male Biological Clock
In 2005, New York-based urologist Harry Fisch, M.D. popularized the idea of the male biologic clock in his book, “The Male Biological Clock,” stating that both men and women suffer from declining fertility as they age. For women, this decline begins in their 30s while men’s fertility appears to change in their 40s and 50s. Like women, factors like smoking, stress, and weight all have an effect on men of all ages.
Recent research suggests that older paternal age can play a more significant role in a couple’s infertility than previously thought. Natural declines in hormone levels and sperm counts, as well as higher rates of obesity and sexual dysfunction pose significant obstacles to older men building their families. Conditions like autism, schizophrenia, and early onset cancer also may be linked closer to advanced paternal age. The genetics behind these conditions are largely unknown and require much more scrutiny. The study of this linkage is also challenging because these disorders may present with varying levels of severity and may take years to manifest. It is important to note that the overall risks remain very low. While this new research is helpful, there is still much more to learn about how a father’s age affects conception, pregnancy, and the overall health of an offspring.
Paul R. Shin, M.D., reproductive urologist with Shady Grove Fertility adds, “Lifestyle changes are a matter of common sense. We all know the things we should be doing. Healthy nutrition, regular exercise, weight management, and discontinuing harmful habits such as smoking and excess alcohol or drug consumption are all key components of maximizing a man’s ability to build his family.”
Treating Male Factor Infertility & Genetic Conditions
While male factor infertility can happen at any age with many causes, there are often steps a man can take to proactively combat male infertility. For many men, improving diet and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including quitting smoking, can resolve issues within a few months. Also, men should review medications and supplements with their physician to see if any may have an impact on sperm count or quality.
For patients where a genetic mutation may be a concern, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) with in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be an option. PGD involves testing embryos for an assortment of genetic conditions. A reproductive endocrinologist can then select only an embryo(s) that does not present with genetic abnormalities for transfer.
Check out the full post at The Washington Post: Why men should also worry about waiting too long to have kids
Shady Grove Fertility’s team of dedicated New Patient Liaisons is available to answer your questions regarding the male biological clock. Call 877-971-7755 or click to schedule an appointment.
