It is probably too well-known to some that the older a woman gets, the more likely she is to have fertility problems. Researchers are just learning that the same might be said for men.

While there is certainly no magical cut-off date as regards to fertility, experts recommend that qualified specialty assistance be sought when well-timed, unprotected sexual intercourse has not resulted in conception after:

• one year, if the female partner is younger than 30, and
• after six months, if the female partner is in her 30's or older.

The reasons for this age differentiation in women are as follows:

• Females are born with all of the eggs that they will have in a lifetime; they do not make new eggs.
  
  
• As the female body ages, so do her oocytes (eggs). There is evidence that older eggs may present with more problems of the DNA, the crucial building blocks of life. There are several schools of thought as to why this may be the case:
  • DNA may become damaged over time from the natural effects of aging;
  • DNA may become damaged after years of environmental impact;
  • The female body may have a 'sorting' mechanism by which it releases through ovulation the most viable eggs earlier in the woman's life, leaving less viable ones later.

• Females have a higher chance of miscarriage and offspring with chromosomal abnormalities, due to:
  • The higher possibility of chromosomal abnormalities in the available eggs;
  • Greater general risk for hormonal imbalances and other pregnancy-impacting health conditions.

Female Diagnosis

In diagnosing for age-related female infertility, one is looking for the quality of a woman's ovarian reserve, a measurement of how viable her egg supply is for conception purposes. The tests may include:

• serum FSH levels, sampled through blood draws on day 3 of a woman's cycle
• clomiphene challenge test, in which the patient is administered clomiphene citrate and then has FSH measured

Female Treatment

Generally and statistically, women over 40 benefit the most (in regards to achieving successful pregnancy) from donor egg IVF. Prior to the age of 40, the breakdown of success rates for various treatments are:

• Intrauterine insemination (IUI): Pregnancy rates of 5% and up, depending on many variables.
• In-vitro fertilization (IVF): Take-home baby rates vary from 3% and up, depending on many variables.
• Assisted hatching: Co-procedure performed during IVF process, used to compensate for harder zona pellucida often seen in older women.

Men's Aging

Normally fertile and even most relatively infertile men have the good fortune of being able to reproduce sperm, unlike women. In general, it is believed that a man's sperm supply is completely refreshed approximately every three months. This means that problems associated with the age of the actual gametes (sperm) is not an issue for men, as it is with women.

Recent research, however, has indicated that a man's age may impact his fecundity, or ability to impregnate within a cycle.

The following may be age-related fertility issues for men:

• declining testosterone production
• declining sperm motility and overall production
• increased risk of prostate problems in general
• increased incidence of erectile dysfunction or ejaculation problems
• years of environmental damage, such as toxin exposure, alcohol or tobacco consumption, to sperm production mechanism or sperm cells themself
• less frequent sexual activity in general

Male Diagnosis & Treatment

Diagnosis and treatment of age-related male infertility is, in essence, no different than for other male infertility factors.

Diagnosis would certainly begin with:

• semen analysis

And may continue with:

• physical exams
• Doppler exam
• scrotal ultrasound