When it comes to male fertility, the greatest factor is testosterone. However, it is way more complicated, and, quite frankly, many people are quite confused. The main male sex hormone is testosterone, and it influences the work of the male body in many ways. It stimulates the growth of male sexual organs, spermatogenesis, and secondary sexual traits such as facial growth and low-pitched voices. However, the issue becomes confusing when discussing infertility. This blog will attempt to present the complex relationship between testosterone and male infertility in simple language.
Understanding Testosterone: The Basics
Testosterone is generated mainly in the testicles, while the three minor adrenal glands also participate in its production. It approves puberty, libido, growth of muscle, and the actual production of sperm. Because of these effects, testosterone is usually called “the male hormone”; however, testosterone exists in both men and women, though in different proportions.
Testosterone fosters spermatogenesis. However, such an implication would mean that increased levels of testosterone necessarily lead to higher sperm counts. The proportional financing of testosterone and other hormones, more precisely follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) ratio, is the factors that matter really.
The Role of Testosterone in Spermatogenesis
Testosterone’s job in male fertility centres on facilitating spermatogenesis. It is a highly involved process carried out in the testis and requires a proper symphony of hormones. From the brain, the pituitary is stimulated to produce LH and FSH. By the signal of LH, Leydig cells in the testis produce testosterone, while FSH acts together with testosterone on Sertoli cells to assist them in supporting the further development of sperm.
If such or higher testosterone amounts are not present, a decline in sperm production may occur because sperm quality and quantity are affected. Such may give rise to low sperm count, low motility (movement), or poor sperm shape. If anything, though, abnormally high levels of testosterone (from an external source) suppress the sperm in effect by cutting across this delicate hormone feedback.
Male Infertility and Low Testosterone
The nourishment of any family is brought to bear on the male due the infertility. Any possible hypogonadism due to a slight testosterone deficiency can induce male infertility by many mechanisms. Common symptoms would include low libido, tiredness, erectile dysfunction, loss of muscle mass, and mood changes. Should testosterone go below a critical level or sperm count decrease so much as to cause infertility, spermatogenesis gets affected to make a particular individual infertile. Some of the factors that can contribute to low levels of testosterone are:
- Aging
- Obesity
- Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or liver diseases
- Testicular injuries
- Drugs
- Hormonal problems
The fertility expert is likely to perform a blood test to measure hormone levels when he suspects male infertility due to low testosterone levels. As soon as it is confirmed, one can find certain modalities of treatment, and they might involve lifestyle adjustments, drugs, or hormonal treatments. Yet, it must be selected properly in order not to aggravate the production of sperm.
Could Infertility be the Result of High Testosterone Level?
It may sound odd, but infertility may also be caused by excessive testosterone. Excess testosterone reaching the system is pretty much in cases wherein men attempt to build more muscle mass or to simply enhance their sexual abilities, using anabolic steroids or testosterone supplements. The body is thereby signalled that it can stop producing more testosterone, especially the one tied to sperm production.
The testicles may even get reduced in size, sperm production is significantly damaged or completely stopped in such an instance, and this is referred to as azoospermia. Patients have varied returns depending on the extent of usage of these fertility-destroying drugs; nevertheless, they tend to have their fertility back after ceasing to take steroids.
Fertility and Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Testosterone replacement therapy for low testosterone can be given to men. It can make symptoms of low energy, depression, and libido almost disappear, but the weight of the adverse effect it cannot bear halts or drastically squeezes sperm production. The production of testosterone during TRT will be basically synthetic, added into the bloodstream. So, to some extent, the body thinks it does not require any more. Hence, the testes do not get an LH pulse sufficient to produce sperm.
This could be a major hindrance for couples trying to conceive. However, some fertility-friendly treatment options can be considered. For example, clomiphene citrate and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are potential options to increase natural testosterone and sperm production without creating the negative impact of fertility suppression from TRT.
Testing and Evaluation of Testosterone
Testosterone levels are one of the evaluations performed during an infertility workup in males. Since hormone levels are at their peak in the morning, blood tests are typically done at that time. The doctor may check:
- Total Testosterone
- Free Testosterone (Active form)
- LH and FSH
- Prolactin
Other tests can be done based on the results, which include analysis of the semen, scrotal ultrasound, or genetic testing to determine the exact infertility cause.
Hormone balancing to get fertile
Male fertility is more than just testosterone; it is a hormonal symphony. LH and FSH coming from the brain complement testosterone in the testes for proper sperm production. Disturbance in any part of the axis can actually even hinder fertility.
Hence, testosterone boosters or supplements, if used independently, may harm a man. Even the so-called natural supplements advertised as testosterone boosters may distort the fragile hormonal balance of the body. Hormone-based treatment should always be instituted under an expert’s advice infertility specialist, or a urologist.
Lifestyle and Natural Ways to Support Testosterone and Fertility
Sometimes medical intervention is needed, but if there are lifestyle changes that one can practice to support testosterone levels and fertility naturally, they should be preferred. These include:
These include:
- Ensure normal weight: Being overweight reduces testosterone and suppresses the quality of sperm.
- Work out regularly: Use resistance and weight training.
- Eat clean: Whole fats and protein in a recommended quantity are the key concerns.
- Avoid Alcohol and smoking: Alcohol and smoking are toxic to testosterone and sperm health.
- Stress management: Constant stress hinders the production of hormones.
- Sleep well: The lack of sleep has an effect on the testosterone in a negative way.
Although these changes will certainly make you healthier, they also enhance the potential of your body to produce hormones on its own.
When to Visit a Specialist
After a year or six months, in the case where the woman is old above 35, has passed since you were trying to conceive, then it is time to book an appointment with the fertility physician. They should give a serious examination to both partners to know what could be influencing their success in conception.
In the case of men, it would involve semen analysis, testing of hormones, careful medical history review, as well as lifestyle review. The earlier the diagnosis is made, the better the treatment planning is done, which results in higher chances of success.
Final Thoughts
Testosterone has a role to play in male fertility, and that is often misunderstood hormone has more problems at both ends of the spectrum when it comes to treatments or supplementation. It is the factor of balance that should be maintained and can thus be easily achieved through healthy habits, proper diagnosis, and medical guidance.
When it comes to infertility problems, do not diagnose yourself or indulge in over-the-counter testosterone boosters. Professional help from a fertility expert should be the way to go to get safe, effective, and individual-based solutions.
Speaking of male infertility, emotional and medical complexities come to the fore. At Ganga Laxmi IVF Lucknow, our caring and experienced staff provide state-of-the-art diagnostic resources and custom treatment plans to take you one step closer to fulfilling that desire to be parents.