Most partners blame themselves or each other when you have been trying to have a child with no success. People often blame many things for infertility, which can lead to stress and depression. Many partners have separated, blaming each other and without proper consultation. Common reasons for infertility include age, diabetes, eating disorders, stress, and weight problems.
However, most times, the conversation of low testosterone often rotates women who are often blamed. The truth is that men can struggle with fertility too. Most infertility cases can be related to men who have low sperm count or low testosterone. It’s important to note that a man with low testosterone doesn’t suffer alone, and many things can affect your relationship. Some symptoms, such as erectile dysfunction, low libido, and mood swings, can affect you directly. But without a diagnosis, most people will never know.
The good news is that most of these causes are treatable by special treatment and staying healthy. Testosterone replacement therapy is one of the major treatments you can consider when a partner is diagnosed with low testosterone. This article will explore a guideline for better understanding fertility issues while on TRT treatment.
What is Testosterone Replacement Therapy
As a man age, their testosterone level will naturally drop by an estimated 1% after they reach age 35. However, if you are younger than this and it falls faster than this, it’s an indication there is a problem. Such a condition is referred to as male hypogonadism. To treat such an effect, you must undergo testosterone replacement therapy, which is a treatment for male hypogonadism.
TRT helps to increase the testosterone level in your body to maintain and reach normal body levels. The testosterone used for the process is manufactured in the lab. The overall result of this treatment will help improve your quality of life and reduce the symptoms of low testosterone. However, it’s important to consult with testosterone replacement specialists for the TRT treatment to ensure you get the desired result and reduce the risk involved in the treatment. Moreover, the specialist can advise on the available option after evaluating your health records.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy and Fertility
Having the above knowledge about how testosterone affects you, it’s important to know how it affects your fertility. You should note that testosterone is essential in sperm production, its cell divisions, and releasing of mature sperm. When getting tested, it’s important not to assume that the testosterone level is low by just doing a blood test. This is because the testes have 25 to 125 times the testosterone level, which is often enough for sperm production. It’s important to note that injecting exogenous testosterone can sometimes disrupt the production of sperm.
TRT and Sperm Production
When you increase the level of testosterone in your blood, it halts the production of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone. This can impair sperm production and fertility. However, TRT can help improve sexual function but reduce fertility.
Testosterone and the Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal Axis
For your reproductive system to work well, it uses the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. This system works because the hypothalamus, an area of the brain, releases a hormone that stimulates the pituitary gland to release luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones. These two hormones are responsible for testosterone and sperm production. The brain is triggered to stop FSH and LH production when testosterone reaches its normal levels. When you use TRT, it causes suppression of FSH and LH.
Is the Effect of TRT on Male Fertility Reversible
The dose of TRT used has a low level of testosterone which cannot affect your fertility permanently. It’s important to know that your sperm production will return to normal within a year, but it depends on the individual.
How HCG can Help Prevent TRT from Affecting Fertility
You can be able to undergo TRT and reduce the effects of fertility. One way is using human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), often produced during pregnancy. The hCG mimics the effects of luteinizing hormone by promoting the testes to continue producing their own testosterone. If you have male hypogonadism taking hCG alongside TRT can help reduce the effects of exogenous testosterone on sperm production. Additionally, taking hCG helps quicker restoration of sperm counts after TRT. Your doctor can recommend hCG along with TRT when planning to improve your fertility.
Consider Sperm Freezing to Protect Your Fertility Before TRT
Another way to improve your fertility after getting diagnosed with low-T is freezing some of your sperm. This process uses liquid nitrogen to preserve your sperm samples for user dates. You can exact your sperm through masturbation, and the semen is analyzed to determine the health of your sperm and if they are eligible for freezing.
When to Try TRT
TRT is a good option if you have been diagnosed with low testosterone or multiple symptoms of low testosterone. However, you must consult your doctor if you have prostate cancer or polycythemia.
Bottom Line!
It’s important to look for a specialist to confirm your condition and recommend the best treatment for low testosterone. Additionally, like any other treatment, you need to talk as partners and support each other throughout the process to increase the chances of recovery.