When we talk about circadian pressure, we often think of the pressure women face to have children before reaching a certain age, due to the decline in egg count and fertility with age.

But this decline is not limited to women only, as sperm count and quality also decrease in men over time.

If a couple faces difficulties in conceiving, the reason is often related to one or both parties. However, women used to be the first to undergo examinations.

But this is starting to change. New guidelines for treating male infertility, directed at general practitioners in Australia, recommend that both men and women be examined at the same time.

Male infertility

According to the Medical Express website, semen and sperm health deteriorate with age.

Sperm are produced in the testicles continuously from puberty, but their number (the average number of sperm in the ejaculate) begins to decline when a man is in his early 20s. The average sperm count in men over the age of 55 is near or below the infertility threshold.

But sperm count isn’t the only thing that matters. Sperm must be alive, have good motility (ability to swim), and be of the right shape to reach and fertilize the egg in the female reproductive tract.

An adequate amount of semen (both sperm and seminal fluid) is also necessary for sperm nutrition.

Age of low sperm count

Starting around age 30, the number of sperm with good motility and proper shape, as well as the volume of semen, begin to decrease, while the number of dead sperm increases. The biggest changes usually occur starting around the age of thirty-five.

This age-related decrease in sperm count and semen affects a man’s fertility.

In studies of more than 2,000 couples, one study showed that men over the age of 45 take 5 times longer to conceive, compared to men under the age of 25.

Another study found that the chance of getting pregnant within one year is 20% lower at age 45 compared to the peak chance at age 30.

The risk of genetic damage and miscarriage also increases with age.

Although the sperm may reach the egg and fertilize it, genetic damage may affect fertility or the fetus.

As men age, their sperm accumulate more genetic damage, including damage to their DNA and chromosomes (the chromosomes that carry genes).

This is because sperm stem cells reproduce hundreds of times during their lives, and each time the cell reproduces, the risk of genetic damage increases.

Genetic damage to sperm may cause the fetus to stop developing, which may cause a miscarriage. This is associated with an approximately 30% increased likelihood of miscarriage in men over 40 years of age compared to men aged 25 to 29 years.

Recent techniques have shown that chromosomal abnormalities in sperm increase with age. These abnormalities may cause birth defects and chromosomal syndromes such as Down syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome.

Sperm biological clock

In addition to aging and the sperm biological clock, many environmental and lifestyle factors affect semen and sperm count, and thus fertility.

Oxidative stress (excess harmful chemicals and lack of antioxidants) disrupts sperm production and increases sperm DNA damage, and is closely linked to male infertility.

Oxidative stress is increased by environmental toxins such as pollution, heavy metals, pesticides and some chemicals.

Oxidative stress also increases with certain lifestyle factors, including smoking, drinking alcohol, drug use, excessive intake of processed meats and sugars, obesity, and sedentary behavior.

Infertility in men may also have medical causes such as erectile dysfunction, or problems with the male reproductive system or blood vessels.

Varicocele (dilatation of the veins that drain blood from the testicles) is one of the most common causes of infertility in men, and is treatable.

New directives

The World Health Organization recognizes the importance of treating infertility for everyone, regardless of gender.

The first Australian guidelines for treating male infertility support this trend, as it recommends infertility examinations for both partners in heterosexual marital relationships.

For men, this includes examination of the penis, scrotum, and testicles, as well as semen and blood tests.

For the best sperm health, you can focus on:

* Follow a healthy diet rich in vitamins A, C, E and D
* Refrain from smoking
* Reduce alcohol intake
* Maintain a healthy weight
* Doing sports
* Avoid chronic stress
* Avoid excessive exposure to environmental toxins and pollutants.
* Reduce stress and pressure.