The Washington Post recently tapped SGF’s own reproductive urologist and male fertility specialist, Paul R. Shin, M.D., as they took a closer look at male fertility and reminded men that they too have a biological clock. The term “biological clock” was originally geared towards women, but today, the term now applies to both men and women, with men having just as many reasons to pay attention to their own biological clocks.
Why do men now have a biological clock?
Couples are now getting married later in life and having families at a later age. For the first time in U.S. history, women in their 30s are now having more babies than younger women, reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In an urban, career-centric city like Washington, D.C., more men and women are focusing on their careers and putting marriage and family on hold. Research suggests that advanced paternal age can play a more significant role in a couple’s infertility than previously thought. A decline in a man’s hormone levels and sperm counts can have just as great an impact on achieving a pregnancy.
Unlike women, men are not trained by the medical world, or by their body’s rhythms to constantly be thinking about their fertility. However, with an increased focused on men’s health, men are beginning to take a more proactive stance on their reproductive health as they are more aware that age for both partners does have an impact on fertility.
SGF’s reproductive urologist and male fertility specialist, Paul Shin, M.D., says he sees about one or two male patients a week who come to check their sperm count and motility—sometimes before there’s even a partner in the picture, or before there’s any sign of a problem.
“I see a lot of guys who come in who are recently married or who just want to know what their fertility numbers are, because this generation kind of gets it. They take their health care seriously. They look at fertility and family-building as it should be looked at—as a joint effort as opposed to on the shoulders of women only,” remarks Shin.
Shin adds, “There is a marked cultural shift that I’ve seen since I’ve been in practice. There are a lot more men that just want to know where they stand, because they understand that men can be the problem.”
How common is male infertility?
The reality is male infertility accounts for 40 to 50 percent of all infertility cases. A simple diagnostic test such as a semen analysis can identify any potential obstacles to achieving a pregnancy with your partner. If the results signal a problem, together a urologist and fertility specialist can design a custom treatment plan based on your age and your diagnosis.
While male factor infertility can happen at any age with many causes, there are often steps a man can take to proactively combat male infertility. For many men, improving diet and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption can resolve issues within a few months. Also, men should review medications and supplements with their physician to see if any may have an impact on sperm count or quality.
Check out the full article at The Washington Post: A friendly Father’s Day reminder: Men, don’t ignore your biological clock.
To learn more about the male biological clock, male infertility or to schedule an appointment with our reproductive urologist or any of our 35+ reproductive endocrinologists, please call our New Patient Center at 1-877-971-7755 or click here to complete this brief online form.
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