Fertility, natural ability to create life diminishes as men and older women but does not imply that men and women become completely sterile. There have been cases in which a man of 90 years has been able to father a child by natural means, and similarly women and beyond the average age of giving birth to healthy babies. Also with the sophisticated medical treatment and a balanced diet older men and women have found it easier to conceive and deliver healthy babies. br With age, in general suffer from erectile dysfunction, reduced volume, concentration, count and sperm motility. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine has suggested that the age limit for sperm donors should be under 40 years as sperm quality decreases with age. However, this age limit is not based on scientific evidence and the effect of aging on fertility in men is not yet proven conclusively. br Men continue to produce sperm throughout their lives. But the fact is that aging affects the quality of sperm. A survey in 2006 found that the low sperm motility was affected by DNA fragmentation, which increases with age. Therefore, older men were more likely to transmit any mutation in the genes to their offspring. The aging male syndrome is characterized by symptoms like loss of libido, decreased levels of the male hormone testosterone, erectile dysfunction, and other physical symptoms such as bone loss, hair loss, weight gain , memory problems, loss of muscle mass, low resistance and increased urination. br Infertility is more pronounced in women than in men. Fertility in women begins to decrease even years before menopause begins inches of Inquiry into the incidence of pregnancy in various age groups has shown that the rate of infertility is higher in older women. Women are born with all the eggs they will have in life. As women age, the eggs in the ovaries also age making it harder to conceive and increase the risk of miscarriage and chromosomal abnormalities. Older women are also more likely to develop agerelated diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and gynecological problems such as fibroids, endometriosis and menopause. This can result in poor egg quality, weight gain and alterations in estrogen metabolism. Although these conditions can affect a woman's ability to conceive, current and new technologies make it possible for older women to successfully deliver a healthy baby. br Staying healthy by staying active and eating a balanced diet and reduce stress and negativity are still keys to increasing the probability of conception, both men and women. It is important to seek medical advice and treatment of conditions or problems to increase your chances of conception. br Asha Jacob Associates is the PRO Udyen Jain, a leading India based firm chartered accountant. She can be contacted at asha@leosys.in br br
