How Age Affects Male and Female Fertility

Let’s get real—age catches up on all of us. One day you’re brushing aside advice from your aunties and well-intentioned friends, and the next you’re staring in front of a mirror questioning whether it’s time to consider fertility yet. Whether you’re 29 or 39, age and fertility have this complicated waltz, and it’s not just a women’s issue—men are included in this dance as well, although society never quite discusses it.

This isn’t about fear-mongering or ticking clocks. It’s about understanding what’s happening in our bodies as the years roll by, so if (and when) you’re ready to have kids, you’re armed with knowledge—not just pressure.

First up: Women and the Myth of the Fertility Cliff

The saying “your biological clock is ticking” is probably familiar to all of us. It’s almost always said to women, usually with a side of unsolicited advice. But let’s separate fact from the fear.

Your Eggs Have a Shelf Life—Sort of

Women are born with all of their eggs, unlike men who are always producing new sperm. Millions at birth. Down to a few hundred thousand at puberty. And then that number keeps declining month after month. It’s a dead-end road, not to sound dramatic.
However, quality is equally as important as the quantity of eggs left. Egg quality declines with age, especially beyond age 35. And what that means is it’s more difficult to become pregnant, higher chances of miscarriage, and there’s a greater risk of chromosomal abnormalities (Down syndrome comes to mind).

The Numbers Don’t Lie (But They Can Be Misleading)

• In your 20s? You’re in your fertility prime. There is a 25–30% probability of getting pregnant each month.
• Early 30s? Still solid, but a slow decline begins.
• By 35? It drops more noticeably—maybe 15-20% each month.
• At 40? Around 5% chance per cycle.
• Mid-40s? Natural conception becomes rare, though not impossible.

Of course, people do get pregnant at 42 or 45—it happens! But it’s not the norm, and it usually takes longer, often with help.

Menopause Isn’t the Beginning of the Race—It’s the End

Another myth? Believing fertility is just poofed away when menopause arrives. Not. Fertility begins to decline years earlier, in perimenopause. Cycles become unpredictable. Ovulation becomes a crapshoot. That window begins to close slowly, sometimes abruptly.

And What About Men? Do They Get a Pass?

Not quite. It’s true—men don’t experience the same precipitous decline. They don’t go through menopause, after all. However, this does not negate the influence of age on male fertility.  Let’s break it down.

Sperm Quality Isn’t Permanent

Although men do continue to produce sperm far into old age, quality does change with age. After 40, and especially after 50, sperm have a tendency to:

• Swim slower (lower motility)
• Be more DNA fragmented
• Have a greater rate of abnormalities
• Increase the risk of disorders in children (such autism and schizophrenia)

Additionally, it typically takes older men longer to become pregnant with a partner, and there’s a slightly higher rate of miscarriage when the father is older—even if the partner is young.

Testosterone Levels Take a Hit

Aging also impacts hormone levels. Testosterone begins to fall—sometimes gradually, sometimes precipitously. This can have an effect on sex drive, erections, and sperm count. Some men begin to feel changes in their 30s, but some ride out until their 50s. It’s a crapshoot.

Fertility Is a Team Sport—Age Affects the Whole Equation

What people often forget is that fertility is not just a function of a woman’s or a man’s age. Both partners are involved. If a partner is 26 and the other is 46, age is very much at work. In couples conceiving, both sperm and egg are important—along with hormone levels, lifestyle, genetics, and timing.

The Odds Change with Age—For Both Partners

• Conception could take longer
• Risk of miscarriage is greater
• Fertility treatments are more prevalent and sometimes less successful with age
• There’s an increased risk of pregnancy complications

Even IVF success rates decline with age, particularly for women who use their own eggs. Egg freezing, sperm banking, donor eggs—these are all options that can be helpful, but each has its own advantages, disadvantages, and price tags.

What Can You Do About It?

Let’s assume you’re 35—or 38—or 42—and you’re reading this with a sense of dread. Don’t fret. Knowledge is power. Here’s what you can do:

1. Get Checked Early

Get a fertility test as soon as possible if you’re considering having children. That is:

• Women: AMH test (informs you about ovarian reserve), hormone levels, and ultrasound to count antral follicles
• Men: Semen analysis (volume, motility, shape, and count), testosterone levels Knowing where you are doesn’t bind you to anything—just gives you choices.

2. Think About Egg or Sperm Freezing (If Not Yet)

Egg freezing was once experimental. It is no longer.

• For women who do not yet want to freeze their fertility, it’s a viable choice. The earlier, the better—late 20s or early 30s being best, but still possible later.
• Same for men. If you’re going to have a family much later in life, sperm banking is easy, effective, and not too expensive.

3. Monitor Your Health Like a Hawk

Fertility is not solely dependent on age. It’s bad news for your reproductive system if you smoke, drink too much, have untreated STIs, don’t get enough sleep, stress out, and eat poorly.

On the positive side, here’s what works:

• Eating a balanced diet (tons of antioxidants, healthy fats, and protein)
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Exercising—but not too much
• Keeping chronic conditions (such as PCOS, endometriosis, diabetes) under control
• Taking a prenatal or fertility-supporting supplement (particularly for women)

4. Don’t Wait Forever to Seek Help

If you’ve been trying to conceive for:

• 12 months and you’re under 35
• 6 months and you’re over 35
• Or earlier, if you already know there is a medical problem

it’s time to speak with a fertility specialist. No shame. No guilt. Just action.

The Emotional Aspect of All This

Let’s not overlook—the issue of age and fertility is so emotionally charged. There are some who knew since the age of 18 that they wanted children. Some who don’t even think about it until they’re in their late 30s. And some who try for years and are devastated when the process doesn’t work out.

It’s alright to mourn the time that’s gone by. To rage at the fact that no one gave you a heads-up sooner. Or to freak out when you see the clock is ticking more rapidly than you thought. All of which is okay.

Fertility is intimate. It’s medical, sure—but also psychological, emotional, even existential, too, sometimes. Treat yourself well.

The Bottom Line: Age Matters—But It’s Not the Only Thing

Yes, fertility decreases with age. That’s not a scare tactic—it’s biology. But women do get pregnant in their 40s. Families find each other in all types of ways. Science, planning, and timing can all tip the odds in your favor.

If children are something you desire in your future—whether that future sits on the horizon or is still a distant dream—get it started early. Freeze your eggs. Freeze your sperm. Get checked out. Or simply read and educate yourself.

Because when you have knowledge of what’s happening in your body, you get to make decisions from a place of strength—not panic.