Men Have a ‘Biological Clock’ Too — And It Is Not Just About Age

You Should Know: Conversations about fertility and the tick-tock of the “biological clock” usually focus on women. But fertility issues are often a combination of factors affecting both partners, as both men and women experience declining fertility with age. 

Going Deeper: Aging affects men’s sperm quality and volume, starting around age 30. For a healthy, viable pregnancy, there must be enough sperm — and those sperm have to be strong swimmers and be correctly shaped to reach and fertilize an egg. Beyond age, oxidative stress can further impact male fertility — which can be caused by environmental toxins, like pollution and certain pesticides, as well as lifestyle factors, like alcohol consumption, smoking, poor diet, stress, and inactivity. 

Takeaway: Women are typically tested first when a heterosexual couple can’t conceive. However, research shows that infertility issues are evenly distributed: one-third arise from the woman, one-third from the man, and one-third from both partners.

Bottom Line: New Australian guidelines now recommend doctors test men and women for fertility issues at the same time. This reflects the growing focus on male infertility research and a broader shift in how we understand reproductive health. Lifestyle and environmental factors, as well as age-related changes, can affect fertility for people of all sexes and genders.