Problems Of Ageing
New research shows that men are equally susceptible to the effects of time and, despite the common belief that blokes remain fertile far longer than women, the quality of their sperm actually begins to deteriorate at 35.
A study in France showed that by the time a man is 45, one in three pregnancies ends in miscarriage, regardless of the age of the mum. In fact, the chance of the woman becoming pregnant at all falls as the father gets older. But it’s not just the ability to have children that changes with age …
BRAIN
We start to lose brain cells in our 20s but it’s a slow process. About 40 per cent of people aged over 65 have some memory impairment - one per cent of them will develop dementia every year. Our personalities are considered stable by 30. Any sudden changes after that may indicate a degenerative illness.
EYES
Difficulty focusing close up usually starts in the 40s. Most of us will start needing glasses between 40 and 50. In our 70s, we find it harder to distinguish between fine detail.
EARS
Age-related hearing loss occurs in 25 per cent of people aged 65 to 75 and in 70 to 80 per cent of those over 75.
TEETH
Babies get their milk teeth (also called primary, baby or deciduous teeth) between six and eight months.
By two and a half years, most children have all 20 primary teeth. Adult teeth start to erupt between five and eight, and milk teeth should be gone by around 12. Wisdom teeth - the molars furthest back - tend to emerge from age 17 to 21.
SENSES
Our ability to taste and smell deteriorates with age and this can start as early as 60.
Around 30 per cent of 70 to 80-year-olds experience problems with their senses.
BREAST
Eighty per cent of breast cancer cases occur in women over 50.
Up to the age of 25, women have a one in 15,000 chance of getting it. By 50, it’s one in 50.
SKIN
Ageing begins at 20 but signs won’t be visible for another 20 years.
HEART
The risk of a heart attack increases with age - especially over 45 for men and over 55 for women.
HEIGHT
By the time we reach 80, we will have lost as much as two inches in height due to our spine curving forward curving or because of compression of the discs between the vertebrae.
PROSTATE
Doubles in weight between the ages of 20 and 90. Men over 50 are at a greater risk of developing prostate cancer.
LIVER
Loses around one third of its weight between the ages of 30 and 90.
MENSTRUAL CYCLE
The average age for girls to start menstruating is 10 years and three months, however periods can start as young as eight or as late as 16. Menopause generally occurs around 50. The average age for a woman to have her first child is 27. The average age for a hysterectomy is 45.
SEXUAL PEAK
Women are best in bed at 35, while men are thought to peak at 18, when testosterone is highest. But fear not guys. Dr Marc Goldstein, of Cornell University, New York, says “peak hormones don’t mean peak sexual performance.” The average age for men buying Viagra is 41.
MUSCLES
Muscle loss begins around 30. Without regular exercise, muscle mass in women declines by 22 per cent between 30 and 70, and 23 per cent in men.
FERTILITY
For women, fertility begins to decline after 35 - and for the first time, more women are having their first child in their early 30s instead of their 20s. In 1971, the average age of new fathers was 29.2, but in 2003 it was 32.7. A US study shows a fourfold rise in Down’s syndrome babies when the father is over 50.
JOINTS
Normal movement puts pressure on our joints and, with the added stress created by sporting activities, they usually start to wear out between the age of 40 and 50. This can then lead to osteoarthritis - severe joint pain - in the over 65s.
BONES
Begin to lose density at 50, exposing us to a higher risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
SPINE
At about 60, the number of cells in the spinal cord begin to drop, which leads to a decrease in sensation.
HIPS
The average age for a hip replacement operation is 68.
LEGS
Research has found that runners and swimmers can maintain their personal bests until the age of 35.
LIFE EXPECTANCY
British men can expect to live to 76 while women can expect to reach the grand old age of 86.