Father’s Day: Why more young men are struggling with fertility

Ask most people what affects fertility as we age, and the conversation almost always turns to women. Male fertility gets far less attention, even though it is shaped by age, overall health and daily habits in equally significant ways. Men keep producing sperm throughout their lives, but the quality of that sperm does not stay fixed. It shifts over time, and fertility doctors are now seeing more young men dealing with low sperm count than they used to.

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Where does age fit in?

The years between 20 and 35 are generally when male fertility is at its peak, with sperm count, motility, and overall quality typically at their best. “Fatherhood remains possible well beyond this window, but small declines tend to start after 35 and become more noticeable after 40”, Dr Monika Gupta, IVF specialist, Kailash IVF, Noida, tells Health Shots. With age, sperm can move less efficiently, take on a less ideal shape, and carry a higher chance of DNA damage. None of this makes conception impossible, but it can make it harder.

What is behind the rise in young men?

Age explains only part of the story. Many men in their twenties and thirties face fertility issues linked more to their lifestyle than age. Factors like stress, exercise, diet, alcohol, smoking, environmental exposures, and overall health greatly affect male fertility. Improving these lifestyle choices can often enhance fertility, emphasizing the importance of holistic health in family planning and reproduction.

“Chronic stress, poor sleep, excess weight, smoking, heavy drinking, and little movement all impair sperm production. Pollution, heat exposure, and steroid use increase the risk, potentially leading to reduced fertility and conception challenges,” says the IVF specialist.

For some men, the cause sits elsewhere entirely, in hormonal imbalances, infections or genetic factors. The tricky part is that low sperm count rarely announces itself. Most men only find out once they are actively trying to have a child.

What can actually be done?

Much of this is within a person’s control. Maintain a healthy weight, stay active, eat well, manage stress, limit alcohol and tobacco, and get enough sleep to support sperm health.

“Fertility in men is shaped by both age and lifestyle. It peaks between 20 and 35, then begins shifting. An increasing number of younger men face preventable issues before age becomes a factor,” says Dr Gupta. Paying attention early and speaking to a doctor when something feels off can make a real difference down the line.