Peak Fertility Age: When Are Men and Women Most Fertile?
When you are a newly married couple and planning when to start a family, you need to consider the peak fertility age of you and your partner. This is because fertility doesn’t stay the same throughout life in both men and women [1]. Different factors such as age, lifestyle, and health status determine the peak fertility age in men and women [2].
It is a good idea to plan conception at your peak fertility age, as it lowers the risk of pregnancy complications. In this article, we will explore male and female peak fertility age and tips to improve fertility health.
Peak Fertility Age for Women
According to several studies, women typically reach their peak fertility in their early to mid 20s [3]. During this period, the chances of getting pregnant as a result of intercourse are highest, making it one of the ways to get pregnant fast.
As the woman reaches the age 30, fertility status and reproductive health start to decline gradually and become more noticeable at 35 [3]. The main determining factor for female peak fertility is the ovarian egg quality and quantity.
A female body contains a certain number of eggs which decrease with age [4]. In older age, fewer egg cells are available for fertilization, making conception challenging. Older women can still conceive after 35 years of age, but it often takes longer and may require extra support in the form of medications and hormonal therapies.
Peak Fertility Age for Men
Men tend to have enhanced fertility health for a longer time compared to women. The peak fertility age in men is in the late 20s to early 30s [5]. The key difference between men's and women's fertility is that men generally remain fertile at older ages.
However, age does impact male fertility in many ways, such as causing low sperm count and poor sperm motility [6]. But regardless of these changes, most men can father children later in life. Why sperm is why matters, as the process of conception may take longer at an older age and comes with certain risks of complications.
Factors That Impact Peak Fertility Age
Different factors can directly or indirectly impact fertility health at peak fertility ages in males and females. These are:
- Lifestyle Choices: Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and a poor diet can negatively impact fertility status in both men and women. These habits impact hormone levels and reproductive health, making it difficult to conceive naturally.
- Medical Conditions: Health conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis can lower fertility status and chances of conception in women. Similarly, low testosterone in men can reduce fertility and make it more difficult to conceive.
- Environmental Factors: Exposure to environmental toxins, pollutants, and radiation can negatively impact the health of reproductive organs. For example, certain chemicals in plastics and pesticides may disrupt hormonal balance in both men and women.
How to Improve Fertility Status?
You can't control the aging process and fertility changes associated with it but you can support reproductive health by taking the following steps:
- Balanced Diet: You can support fertility health by eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. A healthy and balanced diet provides you with essential nutrients for reproductive health [7].
The nutrients, like zinc, selenium, folic acid, calcium, and antioxidants regulate hormonal balance and sperm and egg health in men and women. In addition to a balanced diet, you can also get these nutrients from fertility supplements.
- Regular exercise: Obesity and conditions like diabetes can negatively impact fertility health in males and females. Exercise helps in weight management and also improves hormonal levels, supporting reproductive health.
- Consult a Healthcare Professional: If you’re concerned about your fertility status or planning to conceive later in life, it’s helpful to consult a healthcare provider. A fertility specialist can provide you with guidance on how to improve your chances of conception based on your health condition.
Conclusion
A woman is typically the most fertile in her 20s and as she gets older, her chances of getting pregnant and delivering a healthy baby reduce. The peak fertility age in men is usually between their 20s and 30s. At this age, males produce healthy sperm cells in sufficient quantities.
As you grow older, different changes in the body lower peak fertility age woman and men. You can support your fertility health by eating a healthy diet, performing regular exercises, and following the suggestions of a fertility specialist.
FAQs
-
When do men stop being fertile?
Men don’t have a “cutoff” age for fertility, unlike women. A male body starts to produce sperm cells at the time of puberty and continues throughout life.
-
When is man most fertile?
A man is most fertile between the ages of 20 and 30. After this age, certain changes in the body lead to comparatively poor sperm quality.
Resources Used
- Owen, A., Carlson, K., & Sparzak, P. B. (2024b, February 2). Age-Related Fertility Decline. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK576440/
- Sharma, R., Biedenharn, K. R., Fedor, J. M., & Agarwal, A. (2013). Lifestyle factors and reproductive health: taking control of your fertility. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7827-11-66
- Delbaere, I., Verbiest, S., & Tydén, T. (2020). Knowledge about the impact of age on fertility: a brief review. Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences, 125(2), 167–174. https://doi.org/10.1080/03009734.2019.1707913
- Wang, X., Wang, L., & Xiang, W. (2023). Mechanisms of ovarian aging in women: a review. Journal of Ovarian Research, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13048-023-01151-z
- Jimbo, M., Kunisaki, J., Ghaed, M., Yu, V., Flores, H. A., & Hotaling, J. M. (2022). Fertility in the aging male: a systematic review. Fertility and Sterility, 118(6), 1022–1034. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2022.10.035
- Sharma, R., Agarwal, A., Rohra, V. K., Assidi, M., Abu-Elmagd, M., & Turki, R. F. (2015). Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12958-015-0028-x
- Gaskins, A. J., & Chavarro, J. E. (2017). Diet and fertility: a review. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 218(4), 379–389. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2017.08.010
