articles and studies about why abstain is not good for males over 35

[atomic sagebrush]

I agree with your findings but want to clarify..

I get that abstain reduces sperm quality and number so decreases fertility.. and maybe that if quality is reduced one could extrapolate that it might increase a risk of birth defects.

and that old guys have babies with more birth defects...

but is there any data that directly links abstaining to birth defects?

I mean, I get that anything that reduces sperm quality would potentially not be good for guys who already have a higher risk but I wonder if those sperm would even make it to the egg. Who knows, right?

I have just seen a lot of swayers say (not you but others) "abstaining causes an increase in birth defects in men over 35" but do we have any data that actually shows that is true? Yes, they have an increased risk anyway because they are old but do men who abstain have more birth defects than similar aged men who don't? Is there any data about that? Is it just theoretical extrapolation that worse quality sperm will increase risk? Unfortunately, I can't make DH any younger! LOL!

There is and we all read it on IG and discussed it at great length - I remember it with crystal clarity when it came out, talked about it in my blog, and I believe it was in 2008. It was on Google Health and several major newspapers and magazines anbd at the time got a ton of attention because a lot of RE's were telling people to abstain before going HT. The thread was deleted off of IG for some reason, and now I cannot find the articles in subsequent searches. I think the articles were in reference to one of the studies I posted anyway.

I also have this old study which I didn't post because I don't like posting anything this old and the full text is not available, but it found a link between rhythm birth control methods (which involve long abstinence) and an increased risk of birth defects http://www.contraceptionjournal.org/...022-0/abstract

[NeedAGirl!]

Great. THanks. I will look for them too when I find a moment..

[n710]

AS can this be a sticky somewhere (or maybe it is already)-great collection of articles

[zanacal]

Done

[atomic sagebrush]

Thanks Z!!

[cravingsalt]

Okay, mind's made up. My oldest has been diagnosed (and undiagnosed and diagnosed again) as autistic. Trying to take out as many of the

[atomic sagebrush]

I'm glad it was helpful to you!

[Mama]

Thanks! I hadn't even though about hubby's age. We were planning on FR already.

[Bigwish]

Wow, what fantastic information, Atomic. But now i'm wondering what to do.
When we conceived ds1 and ds2 my 'almost' DH was 28 and 30, respectively. Both sons we conceived first time trying (ds1 was just one attempt) as an indicator of our fertility. We will ttc pink from september/october this year. Some things changed, somethings are the same for my DH.
Same: amount of alcohol, around 2 consumptions a day, profession (real estate agent)
Changes: he's on metoprolol due to high blood pressure, he rides bike (race bike) and in summer this will be at least 2 times a week for at least 1,5 hours, he's 33 then, he FINALLY wears tighter boxer shorts although not to tight (because i hate those fluffy ones, lol)

Should you recommend abstaining or fr? Once i know what form for us is best i'll figure out exactly how to do it.
Thanks a lot in advance!

[atomic sagebrush]

If he is on blood pressure medication I would not do abstain.