Can Low Testosterone Lead To Infertility?

Testosterone deficiency, also called hypogonadism or low T, affects millions of men worldwide. It impacts their health as well as their family and social lives.

Low T usually causes the following symptoms in men:

• Loss of bone density and higher risk of osteoporosis
  
  
• Loss of muscle mass and strength
  
  
• Erectile dysfunction (ED)
  
  
• Low sex drive
  
  
• Thinning hair
  
  
• Low energy levels
  
  
• Trouble sleeping
  
  
• Hot flashes

Low testosterone levels affect your fertility, but not always. In this article, we explain the connection between low T and infertility so you can understand how low T impacts fertility and what you can do about it.

Effect Of Low T On Men’s Fertility

Testosterone is a sex hormone involved in many sexual functions, like sperm production and sexual desire. A man can have low testosterone but still produce sperm and have no trouble conceiving.

Your testicles need a small amount of testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone to make sperm. Testosterone levels are checked with a blood test. If your blood testosterone level is low, it doesn't mean your testicles have low testosterone, too.

They might have higher levels and still make sperm, but the sperm count might be low, reducing your chances of conceiving.

Low T can also cause erectile dysfunction and low sex drive, which can further decrease your

How To Treat Low T?

You can treat low testosterone (low T) through natural methods or medical treatments, depending on the cause and how low your testosterone levels are. Before considering testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), you should try making some lifestyle changes.

Lifestyle Changes

Adopt these habits to boost your testosterone levels naturally:

Get Enough Sleep

Make sure you get plenty of restful sleep. It helps repair tissues and increases testosterone levels. Sleeping too little or too much can lower testosterone production. A study shows that older men who sleep 9.9 hours per night have higher testosterone levels than those who sleep more.

Eat A Balanced Diet

Eating well is essential for maintaining healthy testosterone levels. Focus on whole foods that help optimise hormone levels. Have a balanced diet with all the necessary nutrients: fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. Protein enables you to lose fat, which can increase testosterone, while healthy fats support testosterone production.

Get Physically Active

Studies show that being physically active raises testosterone levels. Make exercise a regular part of your life. It has many benefits, but don’t overdo it, as too much exercise can increase stress and lower testosterone.

Lose Excess Weight

Extra fat tissue in your body can convert testosterone into estrogen, upsetting your hormone balance. Studies show that overweight men have 50% less testosterone than men at a healthy weight.

Manage Stress

Stress raises the cortisol hormone level. When cortisol levels go up, testosterone levels go down. Use stress-relieving techniques to manage daily stress.

Avoid Alcohol Abuse

Drinking too much alcohol can reduce testosterone production. Long-term heavy drinking can even shrink your testicles and reduce their function.

Check Your Medications

Some medications, like statins, anti-anxiety pills, and opioids, can lower testosterone levels. If you think your medication is causing low T, talk to your doctor about finding a solution.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)

In addition to lifestyle changes, another way to boost testosterone levels is through testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).

TRT involves introducing extra testosterone into the body to increase blood testosterone levels and help with low T symptoms.

There are various methods to take testosterone, including tablets, injections, gels, and patches. Each method works differently and has different effects. It's essential to consider the pros and cons of each to find the best option for you.

TRT And Fertility

Although TRT boosts testosterone levels, it might not help with fertility. It can lower your sperm count.

When you take extra testosterone, your blood testosterone levels go up, which tells your brain to stop making luteinising hormone (LH), which helps your body produce its testosterone. Because of this, your testicles stop getting signals to make testosterone, leading to lower testosterone levels in the testicles and less sperm production.

This is why doctors don't recommend TRT for men who want to have babies. Some men choose to preserve their sperm before starting TRT.

TRT With HCG

If you want to keep your fertility, you can use TRT along with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This hormone acts like a luteinising hormone and helps your testicles produce sperm. It can also help prevent other TRT side effects, like testicular shrinkage.

Choosing The Right Doctor For TRT

TRT is a lifelong treatment that can cause serious side effects if not properly managed. This is why it's essential to choose a knowledgeable and qualified doctor.

You can find many TRT doctors online. They offer different services at different rates. Consider critical factors like location, cost, experience, and reviews. Compare these factors to narrow your choices to 2 or 3 doctors who best meet your needs.

Visit their clinics for consultations, discuss your health condition, and see what they offer. Choose the doctor who seems most dedicated to their patients and has plenty of experience.

Traits Of A Good TRT Doctor:

• They offer personalised treatments based on patient's needs, goals, and health conditions.
  
  
• They perform several tests to ensure you are a good candidate for TRT.
  
  
• They guide you on managing TRT side effects and getting the most out of the treatment.

Questions To Ask A TRT Doctor:

• How many years have you been treating low T?
  
  
• Which TRT forms do you prescribe?
  
  
• How do you design a treatment plan for patients with different health goals?
  
  
• I want to keep my fertility. Do you offer solutions for this?
  
  
• What will be the cost of TRT?
  
  
• How many follow-up sessions will I have per year?

Conclusion

Low T does not always cause infertility, but it can make it harder to conceive. You should talk to your doctor about your low T symptoms to find the best solution.

TRT is an effective treatment for low T, but it can lower your sperm count and lead to infertility. However, taking hCG injections along with TRT can help prevent this problem. Discuss your health goals and current condition with hormone specialists to start the proper treatment as soon as possible.

If you're looking for expert testosterone replacement therapy professionals, we can help. Our team of specialists is dedicated to providing personalised treatment plans to meet your unique health needs and goals. Please contact us to get started on your journey to better health and well-being.