Men have biological clocks, too
When women turn 35 years old they are said to be “high risk” when it comes to pregnancy due to their advanced maternal age. It can impact their chances of conceiving and may cause difficulties during child birth. But what about guys?
Studies have shown that women 35 years old and older have a more difficult time of conceiving, but for men it’s more of a gradual change over time. While there is not a specific age when men’s fertility starts declining, it does change.
According to the journal Human Reproduction, men in their 30s have a 30 percent chance of fatherhood, but for men over the age of 50, their chances drop to 20 percent.
“Children of women over 35 whose babies’ fathers were also of that age were more likely to have Down syndrome than offspring whose fathers were younger,” said Harry Fisch, director of New York City’s Male Reproductive Center.
Therefore, while it may seem like women have all of the influence on the health of their baby, a father’s biological clock plays a part, as well.
“While we have no way to truly stop the effects of aging, age-related changes can be related to oxidative stress which damages cellular function,” says Dr. Richard Troy, a urologist at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington, Ill. “Lifestyle modification is an excellent way to reduce stress. Exercise regularly. Maintain a healthy weight. Eat plenty of brightly colored fruits and vegetables and get eight hours of quality sleep.”
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About the Author
Liz Donofrio, health enews contributor, is a marketing specialist at Advocate Health Care. As a newlywed, she is happy to be done planning her wedding and enjoying spending time with her husband and new extended family. In her free time, you can find Liz cooking new tasty recipes for her family, attending Chicago sporting events and chasing after her shih tzu-yorkie, Buttons.
