However, it's important to know that testosterone treatment generally leads to a low sperm count or to no sperm being seen in the semen. While taking testosterone may not mean that you become completely infertile, this isn't impossible, especially if used long-term. Be sure to talk to your doctor about fertility before starting treatment with any type of testosterone therapy. Given that there is abundant evidence showing that TRT significantly reduces sperm production, it is important for doctors to consider the obvious risks of male infertility before initiating patients with TRT.
It may surprise patients that testosterone can suppress fertility, unlike its stimulating effects on libido and erectile function. The patient's desire for fertility must be thoroughly analyzed and established before starting testosterone treatment. The discussion should also include future ideas about fertility. This will allow the doctor to control the timing of hypogonadism treatment, basically balancing the relief of hypogonadal symptoms with the wishes of patient fertility.
This could also open up the debate about sperm cryopreservation as an option for the patient to preserve fertility in the future. Taking testosterone can reduce your fertility over time, so there's a chance you won't be able to get pregnant. Artificially high testosterone levels can have a similar negative impact on fertility. Anabolic steroids, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), and overuse of testosterone supplements increase testosterone levels in the blood.
The brain interprets excessive levels of testosterone as a sign that testosterone production is no longer needed and slows production in the testicles. Many men and a surprising number of medical professionals don't realize that taking exogenous (synthetic) or over-the-counter testosterone supplements can have harmful side effects if not properly administered. If you alter your testosterone levels without the supervision of a qualified specialist, you can cause other health problems, such as testicular atrophy, infertility and an increased risk of prostate cancer. It is well known that exogenous testosterone can cause infertility, and often it will.
Unfortunately, some doctors prescribe testosterone to treat infertility and, without realizing it, they make the problem worse. Clinics with low testosterone generally don't detect serious health conditions that can affect testosterone production. In fact, it's not uncommon for men who want to have children and need testosterone replacement therapy to conserve their sperm before starting treatment. Spermatogenesis is highly dependent on the action of FSH on Sertoli cells, together with high intratesticular testosterone concentrations.
Members can now also access personalized hormone replacement therapy (HRT) prescriptions to effectively and safely manage symptoms of low testosterone when needed. There are a variety of factors that increase the chances of being diagnosed with low testosterone levels. Men may have lower than normal testosterone levels for several reasons, such as testicular injuries, certain metabolic disorders, pituitary gland dysfunction, and even for taking certain medications. If you're a Carrot member and want to learn more about low testosterone levels, sign in to your account to learn more about your options. Referral to a reproductive urologist should be considered in a man with low testosterone levels interested in fertility.
Despite these tests, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved the use of testosterone as a contraceptive. The purpose of this review is to analyze the contraceptive properties of testosterone therapy and to analyze strategies to increase testosterone in men who want to preserve fertility. This means that testosterone production is inhibited when sufficient levels of testosterone are detected.
Optimal testosterone levels vary from person to person, and testosterone supplementation isn't right for everyone because it's not risk-free. However, if an adult man has low levels of testosterone, this can have a detrimental effect on his muscle mass, his libido and, possibly, even influence hair loss. People who suspect they may be having low testosterone levels should contact a provider to schedule an appointment for evaluation and testing. As testosterone levels increase, androgen receptors in hypothalamic neurons and the pituitary gland are suppressed by negative feedback, inhibiting the release of GnRH, FSH and LH.
