Aging changes in the male reproductive system
Key points
- Aging changes in the male reproductive system may include changes in testicular tissue, sperm production, and erectile function.
- Unlike women, who abruptly stop being fertile with menopause, men do not experience a sudden change in fertility as they age.
- The tubes that carry sperm may become less elastic (a process called sclerosis).
- The prostate gland enlarges with age as some of the prostate tissue is replaced with a scarlike fibrotic tissue.
Alternative names
Andropause, Normal male reproductive changes
Definition
Aging changes in the male reproductive system may include changes in testicular tissue, sperm production, and erectile function. These changes usually occur gradually.
Information
Unlike women, who abruptly stop being fertile with menopause, men do not experience a sudden change in fertility as they age. Instead, changes occur gradually during a process that some people refer to as andropause.
Aging changes in the male reproductive system occur primarily in the testes. Testicular tissue mass decreases and the level of the male sex hormone testosterone stays the same or decreases very slightly. Erectile function may also be impaired.
Fertility:
The tubes that carry sperm may become less elastic (a process called sclerosis). The testes continue to produce sperm, but the rate of sperm cell production slows. The epididymis, seminal vesicles, and prostate gland lose some of their surface cells but continue to produce the fluid that helps carry sperm.
Urinary function:
The prostate gland enlarges with age as some of the prostate tissue is replaced with a scarlike fibrotic tissue. This condition, called benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), affects about 50% of men. This may cause problems with urination as well as with ejaculation.
In both men and women, reproductive system changes are closely related to changes in the urinary system.
EFFECT OF CHANGES
Fertility varies from man to man, and age is not a good predictor of male fertility. Prostate function is not closely related to fertility, and a man can father children even if his prostate gland has been removed. Some fairly old men can (and do) father children.
The volume of fluid ejaculated usually remains the same, but there are fewer living sperm in the fluid.
Decreases in the sex drive (libido) may occur for some men. Sexual responses may become slower and less intense. This may be related to decreased testosterone level, but it may also result from psychological or social changes related to aging (such as lack of a willing partner), illness, chronic conditions, or medications.
Aging by itself does not necessarily prevent a man from being able to enjoy sexual relationships.
COMMON PROBLEMS
Impotence may be a concern for aging men. It is normal for erections to occur less frequently than when when a man was younger, and aging men often have less ability to experience repeated . However, impotence is most often the result of a medical or psychological problem rather than simple aging, and 90% of impotence is believed to be of medical rather than psychological origin.
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.