- Partner age 40+
- Couples more likely to report difficulty conceiving (CDC)
- New mutations
- About two more per year of father's age (Kong et al., 2012)
- What a semen test shows
- Volume, count, motility, morphology, and more
- Male Fertility Test
- $299, one-time
What changes with age
Sperm are made continuously in the testes, but the process becomes less efficient over time. Studies of men across age groups generally find declines in semen volume and in the proportion of sperm that swim well, with less consistent changes in total count. These shifts are gradual and vary widely: some men in their 60s have excellent semen quality, and some men in their 30s do not.
The CDC notes that couples where the male partner is 40 or older are more likely to report difficulty conceiving. Age is also listed among male infertility risk factors, alongside obesity, smoking, heavy drinking, some drugs and exposure to testosterone or heat.
Age and genetic changes in sperm
Because the cells that produce sperm keep dividing throughout life, they accumulate copying errors. A 2012 study in Nature sequenced the genomes of Icelandic parents and children and found that each additional year of the father's age added roughly two new mutations to the child's genome, with the father's age explaining most of the variation in new mutations.
Most new mutations have no effect. But the overall increase is one reason older paternal age has been associated in research with a slightly higher risk of some conditions in children, including certain neurodevelopmental conditions. The absolute risk for any individual child remains low.
Other age-related factors
- Testosterone tends to decline gradually with age, and symptoms such as low libido may affect how often couples have sex
- Erectile changes become more common and can make timing harder
- Midlife conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity can affect sperm production
- More medications, some of which affect hormones or ejaculation
- Testosterone therapy, which suppresses sperm production and can cause very low counts or none at all
What a semen analysis measures
MedlinePlus describes a semen analysis as a check of semen volume, sperm count and concentration, movement (motility), shape (morphology), pH and how quickly semen liquefies, along with white blood cells that can suggest infection. Labs compare results with reference values based on the World Health Organization laboratory manual, now in its sixth edition.
Results vary from day to day, so one abnormal result is not a diagnosis. MedlinePlus notes that two or more samples a week or two apart may be needed, and abnormal results do not necessarily mean permanent infertility.
When to test
- You are over 40 and planning to try for a pregnancy soon
- You and your partner have been trying for 12 months without success, or 6 months if your partner is 35 or older
- You are considering testosterone therapy and may want children in the future
- You have a history of testicular injury, surgery, undescended testes or cancer treatment
- You want a baseline before making lifestyle changes
What you can influence
- Stop smoking and limit alcohol
- Avoid anabolic steroids and testosterone unless prescribed with fertility planning
- Reach and keep a healthy weight
- Keep the testes cool: limit hot tubs and saunas, and avoid long periods with a laptop on your lap
- Manage diabetes and blood pressure
- Review medications with your clinician
- Allow time: sperm take roughly two to three months to develop, so changes show up in later tests
Options if you are delaying fatherhood
If you expect to want children much later, or are about to start a treatment that affects fertility, sperm freezing is an option to discuss with a fertility specialist. A semen analysis first shows whether a sample would be suitable.
If you are already on testosterone therapy and want children, do not stop abruptly without a plan. Your clinician can talk about approaches to restore sperm production and when to retest.
How the HealifyMD Male Fertility Test works
You collect a sample at home with the kit, following the abstinence and timing instructions, and return it to the lab. A clinician reviews the report with you, explains what the numbers mean for your age and plans, and suggests next steps such as a repeat test, hormone labs or referral to a urologist or fertility specialist.
The Male Fertility Test is $299 as a one-time test, confirmed after your eligibility review. Labs are priced separately from treatment, and there is no membership fee.
Common questions
At what age does male fertility decline?
There is no sharp cutoff. Changes are gradual, and couples with a male partner 40 or older are more likely to report difficulty conceiving.
Does sperm count drop with age?
Semen volume and motility tend to decline more consistently than total count, but individual results vary widely.
Does an older father raise risks for the baby?
Older paternal age adds more new genetic mutations and is linked to slightly higher risks of some conditions, though the absolute risk remains low.
Should I test before trying for a baby at 45?
It is reasonable, especially if you have health conditions or take medications that could affect fertility.
Can I improve my sperm quality at my age?
Often, yes. Stopping smoking, limiting alcohol, managing weight and avoiding heat and testosterone can help, with changes showing after about three months.
Does testosterone therapy affect fertility?
Yes. It suppresses sperm production and can cause very low counts or none. Discuss fertility plans before starting.
How many semen tests do I need?
Often two, a week or two apart, because results vary from sample to sample.
Sources
We cite government agencies, professional societies and peer-reviewed research. See our editorial policy.
- Infertility FAQsCenters for Disease Control and Prevention
- Rate of de novo mutations and the importance of father's age to disease risk (Kong et al., 2012)Nature
- Semen analysisMedlinePlus (NIH)
- WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen, 6th edition (2021)World Health Organization