Male Age Matters Too: How Men's Fertility Changes Over the Years

When people talk about fertility and age, they usually think of women first. Yet a man’s age can also bring changes in sperm production and quality.

That doesn’t mean there is a specific age at which a man stops being fertile. It means some parameters can change over the years, and they are worth considering when you are trying for a baby. At Ingenes, we believe the evaluation should include both partners to understand what may be affecting their story.

What changes in men’s fertility with age

Men have no equivalent to female menopause, and sperm production can continue for many years. Even so, male fertility doesn’t stay exactly the same throughout life, and male hormones change over time as well.

Over the years, several semen parameters can change:

• Volume of the semen.
• Concentration of sperm.
• Motility, meaning how well sperm move.
• Morphology, meaning the shape of the sperm.

Some studies have also found that as a man gets older, the likelihood of achieving a pregnancy may decrease. Beyond these changes, age is also linked to changes in the genetic material of sperm.

That is why, when it comes to male fertility and age, it helps to avoid two extremes. The first is thinking that a man’s age doesn’t matter. The second is assuming that being older means you can’t have a baby. Neither reflects what we see in reproductive medicine.

At Ingenes, we evaluate male fertility based on each person’s history. Age is one of the factors we consider, along with medical history, surgeries, infections, medications, habits, exposure to certain factors and previous results. If you have been trying for a baby for a while, the more useful question goes beyond how old you are: how is your reproductive function doing today?

How sperm quality can change

Sperm are produced continuously, but their development can be influenced by different factors throughout life. Age is one of them: as it increases, some men show changes in semen quality, such as lower motility or changes in morphology.

This doesn’t mean every man experiences the same changes, or that an alteration necessarily prevents pregnancy. That is why, at Ingenes, we don’t use age as a substitute for an evaluation. We prefer to find out what is actually going on.

Besides age, other factors can be linked to sperm quality:

• Lifestyle: smoking, alcohol or certain drugs, excess weight, and exposure to high temperatures or specific substances.
• Medical history: testicular surgery, an infection, varicocele, hormonal disorders or cancer treatment can change sperm production.
• Health conditions that affect overall health.

Even when a man feels completely healthy, there may be a semen alteration that causes no symptoms. Male fertility can’t be judged by the presence or absence of symptoms alone; if you are trying for a baby and have a history that could affect it, it is worth looking into.

Two men of the same age can get very different semen analysis results

How we evaluate male fertility

At Ingenes, we start with a detailed medical history and then decide which tests are needed.

Semen analysis

This is one of the key tests for assessing male fertility. It looks at different characteristics of the semen, such as sperm concentration, motility and morphology.

An abnormal result doesn’t automatically mean infertility. Parameters can vary from one sample to another and should be interpreted in the context of each person.

Medical and reproductive history

We ask about past illnesses, surgeries, infections, medications, previous treatments and how long you have been trying to conceive. It also matters whether you already have children or have gone through assisted reproduction treatments. All of this can change how test results are read.

Additional tests

If we find an alteration, or if your history calls for it, we may consider further testing. Not every man needs the same tests: we want each one to answer a specific question and make sense for your history. Age gives us context, and the diagnosis is built from information.

When to see a reproductive medicine specialist

We recommend an evaluation if you have been trying for a baby for a while without success, especially if you are over 40 or have a history that could affect your fertility. It is also a good idea to come in sooner if you have had testicular surgery, infections, hormonal disorders, problems with sperm production or treatments that may have affected your fertility.

The evaluation should involve both partners. If only the woman is tested, a male factor may go unnoticed. At your first consultation, we start with a medical evaluation and tests that may include a semen analysis and others, depending on each case.

In some situations, we also recommend considering sperm preservation: if you are about to start cancer treatment, have a surgery scheduled that could affect fertility, or are planning a vasectomy. At Ingenes, we offer sperm freezing through cryopreservation to protect a future reproductive option.

Frequently asked questions

At what age does a man stop being fertile?

There is no fixed age. Sperm production can continue for many years, although some semen parameters may change over time. That is why your current reproductive function matters more than your age alone.

What changes in semen with age?

Semen volume and sperm concentration, motility and morphology can change. These changes are not the same for every man.

If I feel healthy, do I still need a semen analysis?

If you are trying for a baby, yes, it is worth it. A semen alteration may cause no symptoms at all, and a semen analysis is the basic test to find out.

Does an abnormal semen analysis mean infertility?

Not automatically. Parameters vary between samples and should be read alongside your medical and reproductive history. Sometimes the test is repeated or complemented with others.

When should I see a specialist?

If you have been trying for a baby for a while without success, especially if you are over 40, or if you have a history of testicular surgery, infections, hormonal disorders or cancer treatment.

Knowing where you stand

A man’s age matters, but on its own it doesn’t determine your chances of having a baby. Two men of the same age can have completely different results.

If you are trying for a baby, our advice is neither to assume age is the problem nor to ignore it altogether. The most useful step is to understand your current situation. Your fertility deserves to be evaluated too, and once we understand what is happening, we can talk about options with much clearer information.