Men’s health | 12.6.2026
Male fertility: facts and tips
Male fertility challenges are a common factor when trying to conceive. In around 40 to 50% of cases, the cause lies with the male partner or is a combination of factors from both partners. In this article, an andrologist explains how sperm quality, hormones and lifestyle affect fertility – and the practical steps that can help.
What does ‘infertile’ mean?
“Male infertility isn't a single condition,” says Dr Zimmermann. “It’s an umbrella term for a variety of underlying causes that can make conceiving a child difficult or prevent it altogether.”
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), infertility is defined as the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.
Note that fertility is a shared journey, and challenges seldom lie with just one partner. Often, it is a combination of factors from both sides interacting with each other.
According to Dr Zimmermann, “In most cases, it is a matter of impaired male fertility – not complete infertility. True sterility, which refers to permanent conditions that make pregnancy completely impossible, is actually quite rare for men.”
Age and infertility: how long are men fertile?
While male fertility declines with age, it does so at a much slower rate than female fertility. According to Dr Zimmermann, “No noticeable decline is expected below the age of 40.” However, show that sperm quality can drop slightly from around the age of 35, and sperm DNA damage can increase.
