Can Testosterone Treatment Restore Fertility in Men?

Hypogonadism, or chronically low testosterone, is one of the main causes of male infertility. According to a joint report by the Dulaney Foundation and the "Review of Endocrinology," "It is estimated that 13 million men in the United States alone are affected by hypogonadism, yet less than 10% of these men actually seek treatment for the disorder." In recent years, doctors have been experimenting with testosterone supplementation to restore male fertility.

An Essential Hormone

• Testosterone is an important hormone in men. Inadequate testosterone levels cause erectile dysfunction, low sperm count, and other problems associated with male infertility.

Testosterone Supplementation

• Doctors can prescribe testosterone supplements in the form of injections, patches, pills, or gels depending on the severity of the deficiency.

Side Effects

• Possible side effects of testosterone supplementation in men include enlarged breasts, sleep apnea, and skin irritation from gel or patch application

Sperm Count Reduction

• Unfortunately, while testosterone supplementation can help achieve and maintain an erection and improve other physical barriers to conception, Dr. Paul Turek reports that "In fact, zero sperm counts occur in ninety percent of patients within 10 weeks of starting therapy."

A Combination of Techniques

• Given the unfortunate side effect of low sperm count, other treatments are often needed for men with hypogonadism to reproduce. Assisted reproduction technologies (ART), such as artificial insemination and in-vitro fertilization, can bypass the complications associated with low sperm count.