A Few Guidelines on Aging and Fertility

Dr. Sami David

A Few Guidelines on Aging and Fertility

Fertility specialist and surgeon Dr. Sami David owns and operates Fifth Avenue Fertility in New York. As a reproductive endocrinologist, Dr. Sami David has helped thousands of couples have babies through comprehensive diagnostic techniques and traditional medical treatments. Aging is a distinct fertility issue, one which affects women and men very differently.

A Few Guidelines on Aging and Fertility

As a woman ages, her estrogen and progesterone levels drop, resulting in infrequent or erratic menstrual periods. Ultimately menopause occurs and periods stop completely, usually between age 45 and 55. At this point, the production of eggs and related hormones ceases and a woman can no longer become pregnant.

A Few Guidelines on Aging and Fertility

Conversely, there is no obvious, rapid decline in fertility among men. Aging primarily affects a man's testes, resulting in tissue loss and a drop in testosterone levels. Typically, a man might experience diminished libido or erectile dysfunction, which could be either physical or psychological in origin. In general, age does not have an effect on a man's fertility, but is more gradual than with women. When evaluating a couple's fertility, it is important to understand the role of aging in their specific case.