Editorial
Written byMen's Health Istanbul Editorial Team
Medical reviewer (awaiting sign-off)Prof. Dr. Bülent Alıcı
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The short answer
Men can and do father children after 40, but fertility gradually declines with age. Research reviews have found that older men tend to have lower semen volume, less motile sperm and a higher share of abnormally shaped sperm, and that couples with an older male partner may take longer to conceive. There is no fixed age at which men become infertile, and many men in their forties and beyond have normal results. If a couple has been trying for a year without success, both partners should be assessed, and a semen analysis is a simple first test.
Key takeaways
- Male fertility does not stop at a set age, but it gradually declines.
- With age, semen volume, sperm movement and the proportion of normally shaped sperm tend to fall.
- Infertility affects about 1 in 6 people at some point, and male factors are often involved, so both partners should be checked.
- Testosterone and anabolic steroid use can switch off sperm production, which is worth knowing before starting either.
Does male fertility decline with age?
Yes, but slowly and unevenly. Unlike women, men keep producing sperm throughout life, which is why stories of men becoming fathers in their seventies make the news. What changes is quality, not the ability to make sperm at all.
A widely cited review in Fertility and Sterility brought together decades of research on male age and fertility. It found that, as men get older, studies tend to show:
- Lower semen volume.
- Reduced motility, meaning fewer sperm swimming forwards effectively.
- A higher proportion of abnormally shaped sperm.
- A longer time to conception for couples, even after allowing for the female partner's age.
The changes are gradual and vary a great deal from man to man. Many men in their forties and fifties have results well within the normal range.
Why does sperm quality change with age?
Ageing affects the testicles in the same way it affects other organs. Blood supply, hormone signalling and the cells that support sperm production can all become less efficient. Just as important, the conditions that become more common with age have their own effects: diabetes, raised blood pressure, weight gain, long-term medicines and reduced sleep can all influence sperm production and sexual function.
How common is infertility?
According to World Health Organization estimates published in 2023, about 1 in 6 people of reproductive age experience infertility at some point in their lives. Male factors are frequently part of the picture, which is why European urology guidelines recommend that the male partner is assessed alongside the female partner, rather than after her tests are complete.
What is a semen analysis?
A semen analysis is the standard first test of male fertility. You provide a sample, usually after a few days without ejaculation, and a laboratory measures the volume, the number of sperm, how well they move and their shape. The World Health Organization publishes a laboratory manual that sets out how these tests should be done and what the reference values are, so that results from different laboratories can be compared.
Because results naturally vary, one abnormal result is usually repeated before any conclusions are drawn. A doctor may also examine the testicles and check hormone levels.
What can men over 40 do to protect their fertility?
There is no supplement that reverses the effects of age, but the general health measures that support blood vessels and hormones also support sperm production:
- Stop smoking and keep alcohol moderate.
- Work towards a healthy weight and stay physically active.
- Treat long-term conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
- Check your medicines with a doctor if you are trying to conceive.
- Avoid testosterone and anabolic steroids unless prescribed with fertility in mind. Both can switch off sperm production; we explain why in does testosterone therapy affect fertility?
When to see a doctor
Seek advice if you and your partner have been trying for a year without a pregnancy, or sooner if your partner is in her mid-thirties or older, if you have had problems with your testicles, surgery in the groin, or previous hormone treatment. Age alone is not a reason to worry, but it is a good reason not to wait too long before getting checked.
Questions men also ask
Is there an age when men become infertile?
No. Men can produce sperm throughout life, but the quality tends to fall and conception can take longer as men get older.
How long should we try before seeing a doctor?
The usual advice is to seek help after a year of regular unprotected sex without pregnancy, or sooner if the female partner is older or either partner has a known problem.
Does a normal semen analysis mean I am fertile?
It is reassuring, but it does not on its own predict whether a pregnancy will happen. Fertility depends on both partners, and results are interpreted as part of a wider assessment.
Sources & further reading
- Fertility and Sterility Effects of male age on semen quality and fertility: a review of the literature (opens in a new tab) (2001) Kidd SA, Eskenazi B, Wyrobek AJ.
- WHO WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen, sixth edition (opens in a new tab) (2021) World Health Organization
- WHO Infertility prevalence estimates, 1990–2021 (opens in a new tab) (2023) World Health Organization
- EAU EAU Guidelines on Sexual and Reproductive Health (opens in a new tab) (2024) European Association of Urology
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This article is general health information. It does not replace an individual medical consultation, examination or diagnosis. Read our editorial policy and medical review policy.
