Treatment FAQ

why does testosterone treatment lower sperm count?

by Maximus Mosciski Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Testosterone injections affect the sperm count since the spermatozoids cannot develop properly without intratesticular testosterone. Once TRT is initiated, the sperm count slowly starts to decrease, and can even reach zero after 2-4 months of therapy on average. The exact period depends on the dose and varies significantly between individuals.

Testosterone treatment decreases sperm production by decreasing levels of another hormone, follicelstimulating hormone (FSH), which is important for stimulating sperm production.

Full Answer

What are the best supplements to increase sperm volume?

Vitamins to Increase Sperm Volume/Count

  • Vitamin D. Research has shown that nutrition has a significant impact on male fertility and sperm count, especially vitamin D.
  • Vitamins C and E. ...
  • Coenzyme Q10 (Co-Q10) Coenzyme Q10 (Co-Q10) is another antioxidant that can improve many bodily functions in men. ...
  • Vitamin B-12. ...
  • Zinc. ...
  • Ashwagandha. ...
  • Shilajit. ...
  • Omega 3s. ...

Does increasing testosterone increase sperm?

Increasing the testosterone levels in a man will also increase his sex drive. However, raising such levels will also reduce his sperm count. One of the more interesting conundrums is the relationship between testosterone levels and sperm count. Increasing the testosterone levels in a man will also increase his sex drive.

What supplements help sperm production?

Top 5 Male Fertility Supplements of 2022

  1. Semenoll: Best Overall. We recommend Semenoll as the best male fertility supplement for men who want to increase their sperm count while enhancing their sexual stamina and testosterone levels.
  2. Fertility Factor 5: Best Sperm Booster for Men Over 40. ...
  3. Semenax: Best for Increasing Sperm Volume and Orgasm Intensity. ...

More items...

How does testosterone help your sperm and semen production?

  • Minimize stress through meditation, breathing techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or other stress-reduction methods.
  • Quit smoking and limit alcohol intake to a maximum of 1-2 drinks per day.
  • Consider taking cold showers. ...
  • Supplement with compounds proven to boost sperm counts. ...

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Can you produce sperm while on testosterone?

Some patients are told by doctors that sperm production is maintained on testosterone therapy as long as the dose is “not excessive”. This is completely FALSE. Any dose of testosterone, can and will, suppress sperm production.

Does testosterone cause low sperm count?

Low testosterone does not always directly cause infertility. Men with low testosterone can still produce healthy sperm because sperm production is mainly stimulated by other hormones. However, low levels of testosterone may result in decreased production of sperm.

Can you get a girl pregnant on testosterone?

Top things to know: Many transgender men and nonbinary or genderqueer AFAB (assigned female at birth) people take testosterone as a form of gender affirmation therapy. Some people believe that if you take testosterone you can't get pregnant, but this is not true. Testosterone is not a form of birth control.

How long after taking testosterone does sperm count decrease?

Conclusion(s) Increasing age and duration of testosterone use significantly reduce the likelihood of recovery of sperm in the ejaculate, based on a criterion of a TMC of 5 million sperm, at 6 and 12 months.

Can I get pregnant if my husband is taking testosterone injections?

Any testosterone injections, supplements or steroids are potentially very BAD for fertility and can lead to ZERO sperm counts. With careful supervision by a health care provider, medications to increase testosterone levels naturally may be acceptable for fertility. MYTH #5:Nothing can be done to improve sperm counts.

Does injecting testosterone make a man infertile?

How does testosterone treatment cause infertility? One side effect of testosterone treatment is infertility. Testosterone treatment decreases sperm production by decreasing levels of another hormone, follicelstimulating hormone (FSH), which is important for stimulating sperm production.

How can I increase my sperm count while on testosterone?

Boosting Fertility When Testosterone Levels Are Low. If you have low testosterone, one way to improve sperm count is with gonadotropin injections. This stimulates the production of sperm. It may be considered as a way to increase men's fertility when they and their partner are having trouble conceiving a child.

Does TRT cause permanent infertility?

In most cases, this infertility is temporary. The effects can be reversed by stopping TRT and waiting for sperm and internal testosterone levels to rise again. This process can take six weeks, six months, or a couple of years. But some men never recover their fertility at all.

Is testicular shrinkage from TRT permanent?

If it's not treated within a few hours, it can cause permanent testicular atrophy. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Some men undergoing TRT experience testicular atrophy.

Why is testosterone important for sperm production?

Testosterone is intricately involved in spermatogenesis from start to finish. Without proper levels of testosterone in circulation, sperm production is severely limited. This is one of the major reasons that older men who are planning for families often struggle to impregnate their partners.

How does sperm count affect fertility?

How Sperm Count Affects Fertility. Boosting sperm counts — through testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), which we’ll discuss later, as well as through lifestyle changes – is a proven strategy to increase the chances of successful fertilization of an egg and a resulting pregnancy.

What hormones are involved in sperm production?

Other than testosterone, the other two hormones that direct sperm production are called luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). In the medical literature, “spermatogenesis” refers to the process of sperm production. Scientists have recently uncovered a deeper understanding of how spermatogenesis works ...

What are the primary measures of fertility?

The primary measures of fertility are overall sperm count and, just as importantly, the capability to move through the woman’s ovaries to reach the egg. This is called sperm “motility.”. Male fertility can be assessed with the following medical tests: General physical examination and medical history. Testicular biopsy.

Why do women have fewer babies than ever before?

The reasons that women have fewer pregnancies than in generations past are complex, but it is partially due to men’s low sperm count.

Where is testosterone produced?

Testosterone is produced in the male testes, the same glands in the body where sperm is manufactured. Medical literature describes sperm production as “hormonally driven,” meaning that the body requires the proper signaling from testosterone, working in tandem with other hormones, to catalyze sperm production.

Is testosterone normal in men?

Healthy Testosterone Levels. In men with healthy testosterone levels, FSH and LH are present at normal levels. Sperm production carries on at a normal rate, improving fertility and the chances of conception for men planning families.

How does testosterone treatment cause infertility?

One side effect of testosterone treatment is infertility. Testosterone treatment decreases sperm production by decreasing levels of another hormone, follicelstimulating hormone (FSH), which is important for stimulating sperm production. In most cases, the infertility caused by testosterone treatment is reversible. Men who have received testosterone for a shorter period of time probably recover more quickly. For a small percentage of men, the infertility is not reversible. It is generally believed that testosterone given by shots and pellets are more likely to cause infertility than gels, although any form of testosterone supplementation can disrupt the normal hormonal balance required for sperm production.

What is testosterone?

Testosterone (also referred to as “T”) is a hormone produced in men by the testes (testicles). It is involved in muscle and bone development, hair growth, and development of sex organs such as the penis and prostate. It contributes to a man’s sense of overall well-being and sexual function. Testosterone is also required for sperm production.

Can low testosterone be treated?

Men with low T levels and symptoms of low T can consider treatment. Men with low T can be treated with medicine through shots, gels, patches, or implantable pellets . There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of treatment. Recently, the number of men receiving T treatment in the United States has increased significantly. Medications for low testosterone are now marketed directly to patients in the media.

Are there other risks to taking testosterone?

The long-term safety and effectiveness of testosterone supplementation are not known . Men considering treatment should discuss these risks and possible benefits with their health-care provider.

Can testosterone be used to treat low T levels?

Men should avoid testosterone treatment until they are done trying to have their own biological children. If a man has a pituitary disorder that is causing the low testosterone, then he can be treated with a pituitary hormone (hCG) that will increase his T level without disrupting sperm production. When he is done having children, he can take testosterone to treat his low T level directly.

Can testosterone cause sperm to be lowered?

Patients and providers should be aware that testosterone treatment causes lowered sperm counts and hormone alterations. Men of reproductive age should avoid testosterone treatment if they want to have biological children or consider freezing sperm for use later.

When should testosterone levels be checked?

Testosterone levels should be checked early in the morning, and an abnormal test should be repeated. Testosterone levels vary throughout the day, and a man’s T level will vary from one test to the next.

What gland produces testosterone?

The pituitary gland uses testosterone levels in the blood to determine how much FSH and LH to release for both testosterone and sperm production. When a man is given exogenous testosterone (much like when a woman takes birth control pills), their hypothalamus and pituitary believe the testis is already working and FSH and LH secretion are suppressed, leading to less production of testosterone in their own testes and reduced or failed sperm production (much like a woman does not release eggs while taking birth control pills).

What is TRT for men?

Millions of men in the United States use testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) to treat low testosterone (Low T). With the rise in testosterone supplement use, fertility doctors are warning men who would like to have children in the future to reconsider starting TRT.

Does testosterone cause low libido?

Testosterone Supplements and Infertility. Men suffering from low testosterone may experience fatigue and low libido. As a result, TRT has been on the rise, with men of all ages using testosterone supplements.

Can you have low testosterone without TRT?

If you wish to have children in the future but are suffering from low testosterone, consider foregoing treatment or alternative treatment options. Low testosterone does not necessarily mean low sperm count.

What hormone is responsible for making sperm?

FSH is primarily responsible for telling the testicles to make sperm. So when we give men testosterone via a cream or injection, it can negatively effect sperm production since levels in the blood are high. HCG stands for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and is a hormone of pregnancy.

Why does HCG stop working?

This is because the testicles simply don’t have the capability to continue to make more testosterone (due to aging).

Does testosterone replacement affect sperm count?

Testosterone replacement therapy in theory has a negative effect on sperm counts in reproductive men.

Can testosterone help with fertility?

What we see in practice is that most men who use testosterone can still maintain fertility and get their wives pregnant. I was on testosterone only for 6 months prior to my wife becoming pregnant back in September. But to be safe doctors will always caution patients about potential fertility issues.

Does testosterone affect testicles?

If the levels are low then it makes more LH which tells the testicles to make more testosterone. If testosterone levels are high then the pituitary gland slows down production of LH (LH levels are low). To try and make this simple (not 100% correct from a physiologic standpoint), testosterone also can have a negative feedback on Follicle ...

How Does Testosterone Therapy Make You Sterile

Does TRT Lower Sperm Count? Does Testosterone Replacement Therapy Lower Sperm Count? TRT Infertility

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What The Research Says

Steps to reduce cancer risk often include a lot of things you shouldnt do. So, it may be welcoming news to learn that something many men find pleasurable may help reduce your risk of prostate cancer.

Common Factors That Affect Sperm Count

Earlier, we illustrated the decline in testosterone levels over time. In addition to testosterone levels dropping in the US and other developed nations, sperm counts are also dramatically declining. In fact, according to recent research, the average sperm count for the average American man has dropped by more than 50% in less than fifty years.

How Sperm Count Affects Fertility

Boosting sperm counts through testosterone replacement therapy , which well discuss later, as well as through lifestyle changes is a proven strategy to increase the chances of successful fertilization of an egg and a resulting pregnancy. As the graph below demonstrates, the total sperm count is closely linked to pregnancy rates.

What Is The Connection Between Low Testosterone And Infertility

Hypogonadism is a condition often affecting aging men but increasingly common in younger age groups in which the testes fail to produce an adequate supply of testosterone for distribution throughout the body.

How To Prevent Infertility During Trt

Fortunately, it is possible to reverse or even avoid infertility while on testosterone therapy.

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The Misuse Of Testosterone As A Fertility Treatment

If the risks of TRT were widely known and talked about openly by doctors and patients alike, this wouldnt be such a big problemeach man could decide for himself is the risk is acceptable. But many men dont know that their testosterone medications could be impacting their fertility in both the short and long term.

What Is The Connection Between Low Testosterone And Infertility

Hypogonadism is a condition often affecting aging men but increasingly common in younger age groups in which the testes fail to produce an adequate supply of testosterone for distribution throughout the body.

How Testosterone Promotes Sperm Production

Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone, playing a crucial role in reproduction. Testosterone is produced in the male testes, the same glands in the body where sperm is manufactured.

Testosterone Therapy & Fertility

A decrease in a mans Testosterone level is an understandable concern for couples trying to conceive. Low Testosterone affects fertility by reducing a mans desire for sex and his ability to attain and maintain an erection.

What Effects Can Drugs Have On Male Infertility

Does TRT Lower Sperm Count? Does Testosterone Replacement Therapy Lower Sperm Count? TRT Infertility

If A Man Is Infertile And Taking Testosterone What Are His Options

A man should see a male reproductive specialist who will perform a complete history and physical examination for him. He will need to have hormone testing, at least two semen analyses, and possible additional testing performed.

What is the best treatment for low testosterone?

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can be life-changing. Widely recognized as the best treatment for low testosterone, TRT can significantly improve mood, energy, and libido, helping you feel like yourself again. With these benefits, it’s no surprise that between 2003 and 2013, androgen prescriptions increased fourfold.

How Does Testosterone Therapy Make You Sterile?

The male body naturally produces testosterone through a complex process of hormone interactions. To simplify, the brain constantly monitors the body’s level of testosterone and produces gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) when it detects that levels are low. In turn, the pituitary gland secretes follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), signalling sperm and testosterone production in the testes.

How long does it take for testosterone to reverse infertility?

In most cases, this infertility is temporary. The effects can be reversed by stopping TRT and waiting for sperm and internal testosterone levels to rise again. This process can take six weeks, six months, or a couple of years. But some men never recover their fertility at all.

Does testosterone affect fertility?

But many men don’t know that their testosterone medications could be impacting their fertility in both the short and long term. Even worse, some doctors are still prescribing testosterone to treat infertility. One survey of practicing American Urological Association members found that 25% of respondents were prescribing TRT to infertile men who were actively pursuing pregnancy. International studies have had similar results and indicate that a significant number of practitioners incorrectly believe that testosterone therapy increases sperm count.

Does testosterone produce more sperm?

When you take exogenous testosterone in the form of medication, this process is disrupted; if brain never detects a low level of testosterone, so it doesn’t produce more GnRH. Without GnRH, the body doesn’t produce its own testosterone—nor does it produce more sperm. Depending on how long you use testosterone replacement therapy and which dose you’re taking, your sperm count could completely zero out.

Can testosterone help with infertility?

If you are struggling with infertility— either naturally or due to previously administered testosterone— it’s important to know that there are alternate therapies available that could help you and your partner achieve pregnancy. For instance, studies show that the high testosterone levels and resultant infertility associated with obesity can be reversible through nutritional and lifestyle changes. It’s also possible that taking GnRH hormones, estrogen receptor modulators, aromatase inhibitors, or beta hcg may help increase spermatogenesis.

Does testosterone increase sperm count?

International studies have had similar results and indicate that a significant number of practitioners incorrectly believe that testosteron e therapy increases sperm count. In some ways, the thought process makes sense. Testosterone plays some part in the reproductive function of the male body.

What is the relationship between testosterone and fertility?

There is a strong relationship between testosterone and fertility. Proper sperm development depends on the normal function of the testicles and the regulation of two endocrine glands in your brain – the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland.

How long does it take for testosterone to work on fertility?

However, everyone responds differently, and depending on the dosage some men might still preserve their fertility after 6 months of testosterone therapy.

Can a woman get pregnant while a man is on TRT?

Depending on the duration of the therapy, men might still be fertile while taking testosterone. A study published in The Lancet with 271 healthy fertile men showed, that it takes 3 months on average for a man to become sterile while on testosterone replacement therapy.

What hormones are released when testosterone production is overstimulated?

luteinizing hormone ( LH) follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) However, if testosterone production is overstimulated, its elevated levels suppress GTRH and LH release in order to return T levels back to normal. This mechanism is called negative feedback.

How long does it take for hCG to restore normal spermatogenesis?

Studies have suggested that discontinuation of TRT and administration of hCG for 3 months or more can restore normal spermatogenesis and even maintain normal T levels inside the testicles. In reversing infertility, hCG can be combined with SERMs.

Why is TRT used in women?

TRT is successfully used in postmenopausal women to treat sexual dysfunction and low sex drive. Since infertility is already present in postmenopausal women, the suppression of LH and FSH does not lead to negative consequences.

How long does it take for a man to get pregnant while on testosterone?

Thus, the chance for your partner to become pregnant while you are on testosterone is highest during the first 3 months of starting a TRT. However, everyone responds differently, and depending on the dosage some men might still preserve their fertility after 6 months of testosterone therapy.

How to increase sperm count with low testosterone?

Boosting Fertility When Testosterone Levels Are Low. If you have low testosterone, one way to improve sperm count is with gonadotropin injections. This stimulates the production of sperm. It may be considered as a way to increase men's fertility when they and their partner are having trouble conceiving a child.

What is the relationship between testosterone and sperm?

Eisenberg describes the relationship between testosterone and sperm production as part of a "feedback loop.". Here's how the system works. Your brain makes special hormones, called gonadotropin-releasing hormones (GnRH). These hormones signal the testes to make more testosterone, vital for a healthy sperm count.

Why do overweight men have lower testosterone levels?

Overweight and obese men tend to have lower testosterone levels because excess belly fat converts testosterone to estrogen, another hormone.

How is testosterone added to the bloodstream?

When you're getting testosterone replacement therapy, testosterone is added into the bloodstream by patches, gels, or other treatment methods.

Why is it harder to conceive a child?

A low sperm count makes it harder to conceive a child.

When to check sperm count?

Mezitis says it's standard practice to check a man's sperm count when a couple has difficulty getting pregnant. If his sperm count is low, the next step is to measure his testosterone.

Does testosterone help with fathering?

It gives you back your sex life, but it might also reduce your ability to father children as long as you're on it. "Testosterone replacement therapy has a profound impact on a man's reproductive potential," says urologist Michael Eisenberg, MD.

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