Testosterone Infertility In The Male Partner
Testosterone is a hormone that is present in both males and females. In males this hormone is responsible for growth and development of the male characteristics. There are several different causes of testosterone infertility in males and in females.
Men with this problems have low sperm counts, while women have problems conceiving as the testosterone ‘overrides’ the female reproductive hormones. Treating the problems in males and females requires different approaches, and the underlying causes of male infertility due to testosterone imbalance will differ depending upon whether the problems arise from too little or too much testosterone.
What is testosterone?
The dominant male characteristics such as facial hair, a deeper voice and the development of male sexual organs are directed by the hormone testosterone. It is a hormone of growth and development, which initiate the male sexual development during adolescence.
If a male has insufficient levels of the hormone, their sexual development and growth can be less pronounced, which can in turn lead to male infertility. In females, certain medical conditions such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome can result in higher levels of testosterone and this can lead to reduced fertility.
Testosterone and infertility
There are two main reasons why men experience infertility due to testosterone imbalance. The first reason is a lack of testosterone. In this instance, the male may experience problems as a result of a low sperm count and the sexual organs may not develop as fully as they ought to.
The other problem can be too much testosterone, generally as a result of the abuse of synthetic steroids. In the latter situation, the result of too much synthetic hormone is the shutting down of the body’s natural mechanisms for sperm production.
When women experience high levels of testosterone, the problem can cause disruption to the menstrual cycle, with the release of the egg for fertilisation being inhibited. The release of an egg for fertilisation is an essential if conception is to take place.
Treatment options for testosterone infertility
In the male, the treatment generally involves the use of pituitary hormones to restore the balance of the natural production of testosterone. This is a similar treatment to the one that women on IVF receive and it can take an extended period of time for the body to restore the natural testosterone levels.
In women, the treatment generally involves the taking of female hormones to boost their levels and restore the balance between testosterone levels and the female sexual hormones, oestrogen and progesterone.
The treatment of testosterone infertility can be a slow process in men, with results varying between individuals. The key to managing this type of infertility is a solid understanding of the problem and patience to see the treatment regime through.
In women it is generally more straightforward and can be corrected with a much simpler treatment regime. Seeking advice from a specialist is the best option if you are experiencing problems with fertility, as they will be best qualified to assist you with handling testosterone infertility.
With acupuncture and the combination of Chinese herbal medicinal formulations from an experienced infertility specialist in Traditional Chinese Medicine these conditions can be addressed successfully and in a natural way without the normal side affects experienced from medicine and synthetic hormone treatments.
