Understanding Testosterone Infertility
Understanding Testosterone Infertility
Testosterone infertility is one of the leading causes of male infertility. Even though this is the case, it is estimated that less than 10% of the males affected by this disorder seek treatment. The medical term for this disorder is hypogonadism. This disorder can have numerous effects other than a lack of fertility, some of which are visible and apparent. As the name implies, the infertility stems, ultimately, from a deficiency of the hormone testosterone in the system; the same hormone which is most responsible for the development of those sexual characteristics which are defined as male.
Testosterone causes the changes that occur to males during puberty. This is the hormone responsible for the deepening of the voice, the body’s tendency to build muscle rather than fat and the rest of the secondary sexual characteristics that define men. It is also responsible for the production of sperm. Men who suffer from testosterone infertility are unable to produce enough healthy sperm to fertilize an egg and, therefore, have a great deal of difficulty conceiving. There are signs and symptoms of this disorder that may have been present for years without the male ever having been aware that they pointed to a potentially much larger problem.
Testosterone infertility may be indicated by the other symptoms of hypogonadism. Among these symptoms are a lessened muscle mass, little facial or body hair growth, enlarged breasts, erectile dysfunction, lacking energy, depression, hot flashes and an increase in body fat. If a couple has been trying unsuccessfully to conceive and any of these symptoms are present, it’s a good time to visit one’s doctor to see if there is a hormonal imbalance in the male that may be leading to the trouble.
Hormone infertility can potentially be rooted in several different underlying conditions which are described in two broad categories: primary and secondary hypogonadism. In primary hypogonadism, it is the testes themselves that are at issue. In secondary hypogonadism, it is the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus that are the cause of the problem. Some of the triggers for this disorder include injuries to the testicles, too much iron in the blood, radiation and chemotherapy and the mumps. Some males have a genetic cause—the presence of an additional X chromosome—which may lead to hypogonadism being present. Some males have undecended testes which are, ultimately, the root of the problem.
The primary type of treatment used for testosterone infertility is testosterone replacement therapy, abbreviated TRT. In most cases, the affected male will wear a patch which contains testosterone on their testes or nearby which will increase the levels of the hormone present in the body. Some males will be better treated by intramuscular injections of the hormone. In any case, if a male shows the symptoms of this disorder, whether or not they’re trying to conceive, a doctor should be consulted. Hypogonadism can have effects which can be physically and psychologically profound and treatment is readily available that can alleviate the problem.
