Trying to Have a Baby

Pregnancy after 40 – Guys have issues too!

It is no secret that women over 40 who wish to conceive have a more challenging time as their bodies age. Fertility issues can cause frustration and stress to both partners as the biological clock ticks away and the fear of not being able to conceive becomes more of a reality.

As women age, the following issues contribute to a woman’s inability to conceive:

•    The number and healthy eggs produced during ovulation tend to decrease over time
•    Hormonal changes can alter ovulation cycles.
•    Other medical and gynecologic conditions that can impede the conception process like endometriosis.

Women usually take the brunt of the infertility stigma but the male can also have issues relating to their age as it relates to the ability conceive. A study of over 12000 couples done a couple years ago concluded the age of the male was a contributing factor the number if miscarriages and issues conceiving at all.

Sperm quantity and quality was examined as part of the In-vitro Fertilization process. Miscarriages were more prevalent when the male was of 40 years of age, even if the female was not. Researchers felt the data supported the findings that the age of the male as a significant factor in the viability of the fetus. These researchers also recommended that in case where the male was over 40, couples having fertility issues should elect to have the sperm injected directly in the egg to help the chances for success.