Do men have “fertile days”? How male fertility really works
Men do not have “fertile days” as occurs in the female reproductive cycle. Unlike women, male fertility does not depend on a cycle, but on the continuous production of sperm.
Male fertility is based on the continuous production of sperm, a process known as spermatogenesis. From its initial formation to full maturation, a sperm cell takes approximately 64 to 72 days to develop. During this time, it goes through different stages of maturation and may be stored in different parts of the male reproductive system until ejaculation.
For this reason, there are no “fertile days” for men in biological terms, but rather a constant reproductive capacity.
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Why men do not have fertile days
In men, sperm production remains active throughout adult life. Unlike female ovulation, which follows a specific cycle, spermatogenesis is a continuous process.
This means that the testicles constantly produce new sperm, which, once formed, can be stored in different structures of the male reproductive system until ejaculation.
This continuous production also explains why a man can donate semen at different times throughout his adult life, provided he meets the medical criteria established for donation.
Male fertile age and male fertility
Male fertility does not come to an abrupt end as it does with female menopause. Men can produce sperm throughout their lives, allowing fatherhood even at advanced ages.
However, over time, changes may occur in semen quality, affecting parameters such as sperm motility and morphology. Men typically show their best reproductive parameters between the ages of 20 and 30, while from the age of 40–45 onwards, gradual changes related to age may occur, affecting certain seminal parameters.
Changes in semen quality with age
As men age, various changes may occur in seminal parameters that can influence fertility:
- Reduced sperm motility, which may make fertilisation of the egg more difficult.
- Increased abnormalities in sperm morphology.
- Higher levels of sperm DNA fragmentation, a factor related to embryo development.
- Reduced sperm concentration in each ejaculation.
Despite these changes, many men maintain adequate fertility for much of their lives.
Advanced paternal age
In general, advanced paternal age is considered from the age of 45, although this is not a strict threshold.
In some cases, it may be associated with slightly lower pregnancy rates and a small increase in certain risks in offspring, although these effects show considerable variability.
For this reason, as a general recommendation, it may be advisable to try to conceive before the age of 40–45. However, it is important to note that many men can have healthy children later in life, so unnecessary alarm should be avoided based on oversimplified interpretations of statistical data.
Lifestyle factors that influence male fertility
Semen quality does not depend solely on age. Lifestyle factors can also influence male fertility and potential issues related to male infertility. When there are concerns about reproductive capacity, a male fertility assessment can be carried out to evaluate seminal parameters and guide diagnosis. Depending on each case, more specific studies may be required to further investigate the underlying cause, including certain genetic tests.
General recommendations to preserve reproductive health include:
- Maintaining a balanced diet
- Regular physical exercise
- Getting adequate sleep
- Avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption
- Reducing stress
Myths about factors affecting male fertility
There are also some common beliefs about factors that could negatively affect male fertility, such as moderate heat in the genital area, for example when using laptops on the lap, going to saunas or wearing tight clothing.
However, there is no solid scientific evidence demonstrating a significant impact of these factors on male fertility.
On the other hand, the following factors have been shown to have a negative influence:
- Drug use
- Diets high in saturated fats and ultra-processed foods
- Prolonged sedentary lifestyle
Men do not have “fertile days” as occurs in the female reproductive cycle. Male fertility is based on the continuous production of sperm, meaning that reproductive capacity does not depend on a specific moment within a cycle.
Dr. Luis Prieto, urologist at Instituto Bernabeu.