When it comes to male fertility, a number of health issues can often times be the culprit, while balancing health symptoms and changes to boost your fertility, one thing to be aware of is the libido. Because of the health issues that can result in a decreased libido in men, this symptom might be a solid indication that fertility issues may be a concern.
Fertility Problems also Affect the Man
In many instances, infertility is thought to be more of a female issue. However, in roughly 30 to 40 percent of cases, the problem lies with the men in question. Despite these statistics, diagnosing a specific condition can be difficult for health professionals because such ailments do not always present as clear a clinical picture as some women’s sexual and reproductive issues might.
For this reason, physicians recommend that men be extra vigilant in paying attention to any possible irregularity and have such anomalies investigated before any underlying cause could pose serious health problems, such as infertility. One specific symptom is low libido.
Conditions Where Low Libido and Male Fertility Problems Could Be Connected
A decreased sex drive might be precipitated by several medical conditions.
Low Testosterone
One of the most common is low testosterone. Testosterone is the primary sexual and reproductive hormone produced inside a man’s body. This chemical is vital to numerous systemic functions, most notably sexual maturity.
Typically, systemic concentrations of testosterone gradually diminish as a man ages. However, the occurrence can be caused by a host of medical issues and lifestyle choices, such as testicular disorders, being overweight, having an underlying medical condition like diabetes or cancer, drug and alcohol use and the use of specific medications. Testosterone is integral to stimulating a man’s libido. Therefore, a declining sex drive can be the result of low testosterone.
In addition, decreasing levels of the hormone have also been known to reduce sperm quantity and quality. Either of these conditions could significantly contribute to fertility difficulties.
Disorders of Other Hormone-Producing Organs
Diseases or damage to organs and glands, such as the thyroid, adrenal or pituitary glands and the hypothalamus might also impact the production and systemic concentrations of testosterone inside a man’s body. Each of these bodily structures produce hormones crucial to the function of numerous bodily systems. That said, when these internal body parts are injured or diseased, hormonal imbalances might result that interfere with the body’s ability to maintain normal testosterone levels. Ergo, diminished libido in men could signal an underlying problem with another hormone-producing organ.
How Can a Man Treat a Hormonal Imbalance?
There are a few different ways that a man can work to treat a hormonal imbalance.
- Treating the Underlying Health Condition
Men who are stricken with hormonal imbalances might not be able to overcome infertility issues until they address the underlying condition. In certain instances, the condition might be precipitated by an underlying medical illness. Diagnosing and subscribing to the appropriate treatment protocol could prove effective in resolving any associated physical manifestations.
- Correcting Problematic Lifestyle Issues
However, if the problem can be traced to a lifestyle issue, making specific dietary changes, exercising more or augmenting one’s diet with nutritional supplements might reverse any hormonal deficiency.
- Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)
Though TRT is believed to provide an uptick in a declining sex drive, certain members of the medical community caution that this therapeutic protocol could potentially adversely affect male fertility. Testosterone therapy can actually cause a precipitous drop in a man’s sperm count. This phenomenon occurs because of the recipient’s brain’s way of interpreting testosterone administration. The infusion of testosterone makes the brain believe the bodily concentration of the hormone is sufficient and signals the testicles to cease production of the chemical.