The Connection Between Low-T and Infertility
Why Does Testosterone Deficiency Cause Infertility?
One of the most sure-fire signs of Testosterone Deficiency
is lack of libido. Everyone knows that sex drive is tightly connected to Low-T.
Even though there are many other symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency, this is
the single symptom that most people understand and recognize. Most people also
know that Low-T is one of many causes of Erectile Dysfunction, although there
are a few other common causes as well.
Who Should Use Testosterone HRT?
For men that are experiencing trouble in the bedroom,
whether that be the result of lack of sex drive, lack of functional ability, or
both, Testosterone Hormone Treatments are an amazing tool for restoring normal
sexual function in a large segment of aging males.
There is one potential problem involved in regard to
Testosterone HRT, however, and every man should be made aware of it, no matter
the age. Testosterone Replacement has the ability to put energy back into your
love life, but it can also reduce your fertility while you are using it.
Infertility and Testosterone Replacement
According to urological specialists, Testosterone HRT has a
significant impact on the ability for a man to bear children effectively. There
have even been studies which have explored the potential of Testosterone
Replacement Therapy as a form of birth control. Research has shown that long
term Testosterone Supplementation can cause men to lose one hundred percent of
their sperm production while using the treatment. Long Term Low-T Treatment has
this effect in nine out of ten men.
Although Testosterone is fantastic for your bedroom
experience, it may prevent you from experiencing the fruits of your labor. Many
(or even most) men will be perfectly happy with this. By the time most people
need Testosterone Replacement Therapy, there is a high likelihood that they
have already had all of the children that they plan to have.
Even if circumstances change, suspending Testosterone
Treatments can restore Sperm Production (although Erectile Dysfunction issues
will return).
How does Natural Testosterone Contribute to Fertility?
Testosterone is one of the most vital components of sperm
production. The connection between sperm genesis and Testosterone can be most
simply described as a positive-feedback loop. Let us further explain exactly
how this works:
Before either Testosterone or Sperm can be created, the
testes must receive signals from the brain to authorize production. The
hormones that trigger the production of Sperm and Testosterone are known as
Gonadotropin-releasing Hormones, also referred to as GnRH. The term
Gonadotropin signifies that the hormones are responsible for the production of
sex hormones by the Testes and Ovaries.
The two primary hormones related to healthy sexual function
in both sexes are known as Luteinizing Hormone and Follicle Stimulating
Hormone. In order for sperm to propagate, both hormones must be available in
constructive amounts.
In a healthy man with normal Testosterone Levels, this
system is in perfect equilibrium, and will work without a hitch. As
Testosterone Levels in the blood drop, the brain gets signals to increase
production of both hormones to compensate.
Why does Testosterone Hormone Replacement Therapy Reduce
Fertility?
Testosterone Replacement Therapy is a simple concept. In
order to restore proper function and health, a physician will prescribe a
Testosterone Treatment that restores Hormone Balance by introducing an outside
source of Testosterone. Unlike Human Growth Hormone Replacement Therapy, which
can only be delivered via injection, there are numerous, effective ways to
effectively deliver Testosterone to the human body.
Testosterone Hormone Replacement Therapy can be administered
the following ways:
Testosterone Gels
Testosterone Injections
Testosterone Patches
Testosterone Sprays
Testosterone Dermal Implants
All of these methods can restore Testosterone Levels
effectively, restoring function over time. The problem is that, when you
introduce outside sources of Testosterone, you confuse your body just a little
bit, which causes the positive feedback loop to turn into a negative feedback
loop.
Your body senses the increase in concentration of
Testosterone, and signals to the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to limit or
suspend Testosterone Production. Because of this lack of natural Testosterone
Secretion, your brain does not send signals to the testes to produce sperm
either.
Over time, Testosterone Replacement Therapy will continually
diminish your sperm production. As sperm production drops, this slowly reduces
your ability to conceive until sperm production either completely shuts down or
drops to a point to which fertilization becomes incredibly difficult.
If you are planning to conceive a child in the near future,
it is recommended that you turn to another source of Erectile Dysfunction
Treatment, such as Cialis or Viagra. There are other treatments which can
increase sex drive and sexual function while not limiting your fertility.
Why Choose Testosterone Replacement Therapy?
Although Testosterone HRT limits fertility, by most other
measures, it is far more beneficial to your body and overall health than other
forms of ED Treatment if you suffer from Low-T. There are numerous symptoms of
Testosterone Deficiency that are not treated when using other forms of Erectile
Dysfunction Treatment.
For example, Viagra increases Erectile Function by restoring
blood flow to the penis and inducing the release of nitric oxide which promotes
the vasodilation vital for an erection to form. Viagra was actually originally
conceived in 1991 as a treatment to promote healthy blood pressure. Over the
next few years, researchers noticed that the drug had the side-effect of
promoting the formation of erections, leading to it's eventual approval as an
Erectile Dysfunction medication.
This doesn't treat the root cause of Testosterone Deficiency
however, it only treats a limited pool of symptoms associated with the
disorder. Choosing Testosterone Replacement Therapy means that you can resolve
a number of other symptoms associated with Low-T, including:
Loss of Muscle Mass
Decrease in Body Fat Metabolism
Loss of Bone Mass
Fatigue and Energy Depletion
Depression
Unless your ultimate goal with therapy is to conceive a
child, the benefits from Testosterone Replacement Therapy often far outweigh
the loss of fertility and other risks.
Does this Negative Feedback Mechanism lead to other
health issues?
It does not. Testosterone delivered to the body from an
exogenous source provides all of the other necessary benefits of Testosterone
Naturally Produced by the human body. The system of bio-feedback involved with
natural Testosterone release only has an effect upon the production of natural
Testosterone and the production of sperm by the testes. Because of this,
Testosterone Hormone Replacement Therapy has no negative effect upon processes
vital to male health.
In order to properly stimulate fertility, it is vital to
both ensure that Natural Testosterone Production and Luteinizing Hormone
production remain sufficiently elevated to encourage the healthy production of
sperm. Testosterone Replacement Therapy alone is not capable of achieving that
goal.
How to Increase Fertility in Men Experiencing
Testosterone Deficiency
If you are a man with Low-T, one of the most effective means
to increase Sperm Production is with the use of Gonadotropin Injections.
Gonadotropin Injections contain Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Luteinizing
Hormone. They achieve Sperm Production through bypassing the feedback mechanism
associated with Testosterone Replacement that discourages the release of
Gonadotropins.
What is the Basic Protocol for Diagnosing Infertility
Generally, when a man comes into a clinic to learn about his
fertility status, the first step is for the man to provide a sample in order to
establish his sperm count. If he is producing an abnormally low amount of
sperm, the next step is to perform blood testing in order to establish his
T-Levels.
If the patient produces an abnormally low level of
Testosterone, but still retains sexual function, the next step is simply to
administer Gonadotropin Injections in order to promote enhanced fertility.
Although it may be fine to go to a general practitioner in
order to establish Testosterone Levels and Sperm Count, the next step should be
to talk to a reproductive specialist. Reproductive Endocrinologists are trained
specifically in order to diagnose and treat Hormone Issues which lead to
fertility problems.
Natural Ways to Increase Fertility
Although Gonadotropin Injections have a positive effect on
fertility, there are other ways that you can naturally choose to enhance your
fertility. If you would like to try your hand at natural procreation, you can
try these steps before you visit a doctor, but these same steps can also
further enhance fertility in combination with medical treatment.
Anything that you can do to positively influence your
natural production of Testosterone will benefit your fertility. We recommend
the following three steps to increase fertility
Eat Better- Body Fat Percentage has a
significant effect upon Testosterone Production. Adipose fat, which pools
around the stomach, hips, and midsection, has a negative effect upon
Testosterone Levels. This form of fat has the ability to absorb Testosterone
and convert it into Estrogen. By losing weight, you can eliminate the negative
influence of Estrogen and promote healthier Testosterone Utilization.
Exercise More Often Another way to
increase Testosterone Production is to engage in healthier exercise habits.
Physical activity helps promote Testosterone Production in two important ways.
First, it increases metabolism, burning off excess fat. Second, Testosterone
Secretion increases as a direct result of intense physical activity. The
combination of these two benefits can enhance fertility significantly for some
men.
Get a Full Night's Rest Testosterone is
also released in significant amounts during sleep. If you don't get the proper
amount of sleep that you need, or you have environmental or medical issues
which prevent you from sleeping soundly through the night, your Testosterone
Production will likely suffer. By enforcing good sleeping habits, you promote a
healthier and more natural release of Testosterone throughout the day.