Advancing Paternal Age, Risk of Male Infertility and the Risk of Genetic Diseases Not Taught In School

Women seem to be more attuned to their biological clocks," he said. "With men the clock seems to tick more slowly, but often I don't think they hear it at all."

Dr Pacey said the government should tackle the problem by broadening sexual education to include advice on starting families. "What we're very good at in schools is getting the message across about sexually transmitted diseases and early pregnancy, but what we're not so good at is explaining when is the best time to have family."

Dr. Allan Pacey
Allan Pacey, the secretary of the British Fertility Society and senior lecturer at Sheffield University, said the evidence for male fertility dropping with age was beginning to stack up. A previous study had revealed a greater risk of Down's syndrome in children born to older fathers.