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Low sperm count after testosterone shots?

siennamomsiennamom member
in TTC after 35

Hi Ladies,

DH took testosterone shots for "Low T" for 3 months (stopping Aug 11).  Since we're TTC, I randomly googled testosterone shots and fertility, and WebMD says that it can drastically affect sperm count, sometimes dropping count to 0. 

Any truth to this?  Would love to hear if any of your hubbys/SO have gone through this.  thanks!!

Me: 35 DH: 41

DS:  12/25/2008

DD:  04/06/2010

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Re: Low sperm count after testosterone shots?

  • MARISAV77MARISAV77 member
    I don't know how true it is, but I also have read that men taking testosterone or "steroid shots" does decrease their sperm counts. Was he being monitored by a doctor while he was taking his shots? I heard on the news yesterday that some football guy was taking clomid pills to increase his sperm count. I didn't know men could take clomid for this reason. I googled it and read men should be monitored while taking clomid too because if taking too much it can drastically reduce counts instead of increasing them.
    Me: 37 DH: 37, married since Sept. 2013. "actively" TTC for a total of 13 months (after 7 months of TTC, took a 1 1/2 year hiatus due to work scheduling and wedding planning. Started up again after our wedding in Sept.) First evaluation by an RE November 2013

    HSG-normal
    OH-tiny polyp found, but RE assured me she doesn't think it's contributing to infertility and doesn't recommend me to remove it because it's so small.
    DH's SA-normal
    Hormones all within normal levels
    Ovarian Reserve-RE says "is great" she's not concerned about my egg quantity (which I was until I saw her and results came back good!) 

    04/2012 50mg Clomid=BFN (prescribed by OBGYN, not monitored)
    06/2012 50mg Clomid=BFN (prescribed by OBGYN, not monitored)
    11/2013 100mg Clomid, with HCG trigger=BFN (prescribed by RE, monitored with US (2 dominant follicles) and baseline bloodwork done)
    01/2014 100mg Clomid, with HCG trigger-(prescribed by RE, monitored with US-1 dominant follicle)=BFN
    06/2014 7.5mg Letrozole, HCG trigger (prescribed by RE, monitored with US-2 dominant follicles), IUI #1 on 7/3/14=BFN
    07/2014 7.5mg Letrozole, benched for IUI#2 this cycle, because I ovulated on my own before my follicular US. Progesterone suppositories=BFN Diagnosed with PCOS this month too. Testosterone levels high at 76. =( 
    08/2014 7.5mg Letrozole, HCG trigger with 19mm follicle. IUI#2 on 8/31 cancelled last minute due to family emergency. 
    09/2014 Taking a 3 month break starting this month. If not pregnant in 3 months, will start up again with medicated cycles and IUIs. Had all my labs and AFC re-evaluated this month also. RE says nothing much has changed since my eval last November, okay for me to take a little break. =) 




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  • TAT2MAMITAT2MAMI member
    @siennamom - My DH was taking testosterone and it does drastically affect sperm count. He was reading up on it and it said that it could take up to 6 months for sperm count to get back to normal. :(
    Me: 38 ~  DH: 38 ~   DD: 8
    TTC #2 since March/April 2014.
     
     
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  • siennamomsiennamom member

    @marisav77 - thanks for the info!

    @tat2mami - ugh...that's not good.  confirms what I read online.  thanks though!

    Me: 35 DH: 41

    DS:  12/25/2008

    DD:  04/06/2010

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  • SchruteBucksSchruteBucks member
    My sister's husband is sterile due to years of testosterone replacement therapy. The doctor said he could stop the therapy to try and build his sperm count back up. They decided the side effects of his low T (mainly depression) wasn't worth it. They have 5 children between the two of them but none together.
    Me 41  DH 33  Married 09/03/2011
    DD1  EDD 08/18/01, born 08/03/2001 ~ 9lbs 10oz, 21.5 in
    DS1  EDD 4/30/2004, born 05/04/2004 ~ 10lbs, 22 in
    mc 02/14/12 @ 5 weeks
    DD2  EDD 12/25/12, born 12/30/12 ~ 10lbs 11oz, 21.25 in
    mc 12/05/15 @ 12 weeks
    Cautiously expecting 12/02/16



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  • ksgsmuksgsmu member
    PAIF/ticker warning!


    yes testosterone therapy is horrible for sperm production...  It can cause temporary sterility.  There are other ways to help testosterone increase that are safe for TTC.  Clomid for men is sometimes an option.  I would highly recommend he sees a Urologists that specializes in fertility issues ( not all do this).  Make sure they know you are TTC.  Your OB or RE might be able to recommend someone.
    ***siggy/ticker warning***

    Me:36 DH:38 TTC#1 since 4/2012
    Me DX: Hashimotos,Hypothyroid, DOR, MTHFR,  DH: normal

     IUI #1-#4 BFNs and a few cancelled cycles in the mix.
    - poor responder
    ***Suprise BFP on 6/13/13. Natural MC @6wks 3days
    IVF#1 and 2- Cancelled due to no response on max stimms
    FET 5/20- BFP
    1st Beta- 641
    2nd beta- 2166
    Sono- TWINS!!!!
    Two Boys! Born January 2015 @36 weeks.  Healthy and no NICU!  So blessed!



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  • Lesliem0901Lesliem0901 member
    ksgsmu said:
    PAIF/ticker warning!


    yes testosterone therapy is horrible for sperm production...  It can cause temporary sterility.  There are other ways to help testosterone increase that are safe for TTC.  Clomid for men is sometimes an option.  I would highly recommend he sees a Urologists that specializes in fertility issues ( not all do this).  Make sure they know you are TTC.  Your OB or RE might be able to recommend someone.
    THIS! Our MD was ready to but my DH on it a year ago and thankfully I ran it by my RE. He said absolutely not to do it.
    Siggy Warning


    TTC#1 since June 2012

    Dx: Unexplained Infertility / AMA

    BFP after 4th IUI cycle with Gonal F + Ovidrel on March 2014 | EDD 12/7/14 | MMC on 4/14/14 

    IUI#5 with Gonal F and Ovidrel trigger on 6/6 - BFN

    On to IVF #1 with a new RE. Started Gonal F and Menopur on 8/15.  Added Ganirelix on 8/24. Trigger on 8/26 for ER on 8/28. 8R 7M 3F.  Transferred all 3 on 8/31. BFP on 9/11 | EDD 5/20/15 - Beta #1: 56.7. Beta #2: 97. Beta #3: 1148. Beta #4: 3559. Beta #4: 7678. MMC confirmed on 10/13. D&C on 10/14 at 9w. Confirmed male with Trisomy 14.

    On to IVF #2 in March. CCS Testing on 2 embies. No go. Waiting to start IVF #3 in July. Surprise BFP on 6/14! EDD - 2/20/16 - Beta #1: 121.4. Beta #2: 236.4. Beta #3: 2014.

    December 4image

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  • siennamomsiennamom member
    thanks for the information ladies!  looks like I need to get DH to a doctor for some tests...

    Me: 35 DH: 41

    DS:  12/25/2008

    DD:  04/06/2010

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  • gscovillegscoville member
    Keep in mind that the sperm he might 'donate' for tests today was actually created three months ago, which would be when he was still on testosterone, so if he does an SA now he'll likely have bad numbers. He needs to be off of Testosterone for three+ months before you'll see accurate indication of any improvements, so he'll likely need to do another SA in a couple of months. But definitely get him in to a urologist as they'll know all of these timeframes and can help him with a plan moving forward.


         

    imageimage

    Married August 2012. Me: 41  DH: 42 
    Daughter from previous marriage: 20

    BFP 12/19/12: Ectopic discovered at 8 weeks, right tube removed 01/18/13
    June 2013 Testing Results: Progesterone: 31.7, LH: 5, FSH: 5, Estradiol: 161
    Clomid cycles Nov. 2013 and Jan, Feb, and March 2014

    TTC journey over as of the end of October 2014

    TTCAL BLOG

    All ALers welcome!

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