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admin2024-06-25 00:33:232024-06-25 00:40:57Could Your Thyroid be Causing Infertility?Treating Male Infertility with Hormone Therapy
Hormones affect almost every organ and bodily system in both women and men. One area where hormones are extremely important is reproduction. So it makes sense that hormone imbalances are at the root of approximately 10% of all male infertility cases. Hormone deficiency can negatively affect male fertility in a variety of ways – from low libido to sexual dysfunction and even low sperm concentration.
The good news is that hormone imbalances in men are typically both fairly easy to detect and correct! In this article renowned Austin, TX fertility doctor, Ruthie Harper, MD discusses how hormone imbalance in men can contribute to infertility – as well as how it can be treated naturally for improved chance of conception.
Male Hormones Involved in Fertility
The endocrine system produces and delivers the hormones to the body. And each hormone in a man’s body is responsible for a distinct function. For example, “gonadotropins” regulate the functioning of a man’s testicles. Luteinizing hormone (LH) is the gonadotropin that governs testosterone production. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), is the gonadotropin hormone that stimulates sperm production.
Testosterone plays an important role in many aspects of the male body – from building strong muscles and bones, to supplying energy. Testosterone also optimizes a man’s sex drive and enables him to achieve and maintain erections. A testosterone deficiency is known as hypogonadism.
Hormones, regulated in the brain. The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that detects the hormone levels in the body, and then messages to the pituitary gland (which is also in the brain), to begin producing the necessary levels of hormones. The pituitary gland also produces luteinizing Hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), in addition to others. But when any part of this complex cycle is interrupted, hormone imbalances occur.
Male Hormone Disorders
Male hormonal imbalances can impact numerous glands, including the hypothalamus, thyroid gland, pituitary gland, prostate, and testicles. And disruption of any of these glands can result in a decline in sperm production, sperm quality, sperm motility, or all three.
When a man’s hormonal reserves are too low or out of balance, it can lead to a “sperm disorder.” These can be categorized as:
Azoospermia
This refers to a condition in which there is no sperm in the semen. Azoospermia can be caused due to non-production of sperm, which can be the result of hormonal imbalance. It can also be the result of an obstruction in the testicles that prevents the sperm from leaving the testes.
Oligospermia
Oligospermia is the medical term for a low sperm count in the semen. It also can be hormonal or mechanical in nature.
Asthenospermia
This term refers to low sperm motility – meaning that the individual sperm are limited in their ability to swim far enough to reach and fertilize the egg.
Teratozoospermia
Teratozoospermia refers not to the quantity of the sperm, but rather to sperm that is malformed or has an abnormal shape. Misshapen sperm – such as having a crooked head, or more than one head or tail – often are unable penetrate and fertilize an egg. When a large number of sperm are misshapen, it can lead to infertility.
Treating Male Infertility with Hormonal Therapy
Fortunately, a skilled fertility doctor like Ruthie Harper, MD in Austin, TX can conduct thorough blood testing to identify and treat male hormone imbalances. A blood draw will be done in the morning – since hormone levels fluctuate throughout the day. This will detect if any hormones are deficient or out of balance.
If a hormone imbalance is detected, Doctor Harper will next try to determine the root cause of the hormone deficiency. This is important because there may be minor or serious underlying causes of the hormone imbalance – from simple age-related decline to more critical conditions – such as a pituitary tumor that has elevated prolactin levels.
Next hormones can be brought into balance with natural, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). For example, if a there is luteinising hormone (LH) or follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) deficiency, natural fertility doctor Ruthie Harper, MD can prescribe hormones that mimic the function of the body’s own FSH and LH.
Doctor Harper will put together a treatment plan for male infertility, based on the exact nature of your condition. Many glandular disorders that are causing or contributing to infertility respond very well to hormone therapy.
Success Rate of Hormone Therapy for Male Infertility
Hormone therapy is not the answer to every case of male infertility – but it may be able to help with conception in about 10% of fertility that is due to “sperm problems” in a man.
It is important to note that this NOT something that men can “DIY” using over-the-counter supplements. In fact, in many cases, testosterone supplementation can make actually decrease a man’s fertility. This is because artificially raised levels of testosterone tell the hypothalamus, that there’s no need to produce hormones like LH and FSH – so the pituitary stops producing them. And when LH and FSH levels drop, the testicles’ ability to produce sperm also declines.
Only a trained, skilled, and experienced fertility doctor can diagnose and treat a hormone imbalance that may be impacting your fertility.
Top Austin Female & Male Infertility Doctor
Male infertility issues are more common – and more complex – than most people realize. But the great news is that with proper medical assistance and lifestyle changes most couples can achieve their dream of building a family – often without resorting to extreme and expensive measures such as IVF! Hormone therapy is just one of many treatments that may be able to improve a man’s sperm count, quality and motility.
Ruthie Harper MD, specializes in using integrative, holistic and natural fertility treatments to help couples get pregnant. Dr. Harper assists couples conceive naturally by balancing their bodies through wellness, lifestyle, mindfulness, stress reduction, and hormone rebalancing.
If you have tried to become pregnant without success, Dr. Harper opens her practice doors to you with compassion, and more than twenty years of natural fertility experience. Discover your personal path to total health, wellness and balance. Through the science of personalized integrative medicine she can help you and your partner become pregnant and achieve your dream of growing your family.
Male Infertility Doctor – Austin, TX: 512.343.9355
FERTILITY BLOG
Thank you for visiting our Blog, where Dr. Harper keeps you updated on the latest treatments, technologies and information in the field of natural fertility medicine.
Dr. Ruthie Harper opened her internationally recognized medical practice in Austin, Texas, in 1999. Since that time, she has consulted with more than 10,000 patients, offering the most advanced techniques in natural, holistic and integrative health and wellness.
Check back often for new and informative articles, as well as special offers and exciting events. Or call us today to schedule your fertility consultation … and take the first step toward having the family of your dreams!
512.343.9355
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