Understanding the Endocrine System’s Effects on Fertility

If you’re a couple that is unable to conceive, the source of your problems could be either the male or female endocrine system, according to some reproductive endocrinologist experts. While this is not the case for all couples, an improperly functioning endocrine system can make conceiving exceptionally challenging. That said, very few people understand the role the endocrine system plays when it comes to our overall health, let alone how it impacts fertility.

What Is the Endocrine System?

In lay terms, the endocrine system is a message center that works in tandem with the nervous system to help the body function properly. It is a complex network of endocrine glands that release hormones either into the blood or the interstitial fluid that surrounds our cells. These hormones send messages to the endocrine system, which relays those messages to the central nervous system to help carry out a wide range of bodily functions, including our ability to procreate.

What Happens When the Endocrine System Stops Working Properly?

There are 8 major hormone-producing glands in the endocrine system, and if any of them produces too much or too little hormones, it can lead to an endocrine disorder. These hormone-producing glands include the following:

Ovaries
Testes
Hypothalamus
Pituitary
Adrenals
Thyroid
Parathyroid
Pineal

When these glands produce too much or too little hormones, the effects are widespread and can disrupt many normal bodily functions, some of which include the following:

Sexual function
Mood
Reproduction
Growth and development
Metabolism

There is a variety of health problems that can trigger a significant increase or decrease in hormone production, which negatively impacts the endocrine system. Some of these health problems include tumors, genetic disorders and certain diseases like diabetes, for example. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it would be a good idea, even if you’re not trying to conceive, to schedule an appointment with an endocrinologist as soon as possible.

What Is a Reproductive Endocrinologist?

Reproductive endocrinologists are OB-GYN (obstetrics and gynecology) doctors who have undergone additional training in hormonal function relative to reproductive function and infertility, reproductive medicine and surgical procedures to treat anatomical disorders that affect fertility. In most cases, an OB-GYN or general physician will refer women who are struggling with infertility problems to a reproductive endocrinologist if they meet any of the following criteria:

Have tried to conceive for a year or more without success
Have a family history of infertility
Over the age of 35 and have never been pregnant
Struggling with irregular periods

It is also a good idea for men to be seen by a reproductive endocrinologist to ensure that they do not have infertility problems that may be contributing to the couple’s inability to conceive.

How Can a Reproductive Endocrinologist Help With Fertility-Related Problems?

Although all of the glands in the endocrine system are important, few are more important when it comes to fertility than the pituitary gland. This gland releases follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), the two hormones responsible for ovulation. To determine if a woman’ fertility problems are related to a poorly functioning pituitary gland, a reproductive endocrinologist will use blood, urine, and imaging tests, all of which will allow him or her to see if the pituitary gland is producing too much or too little of the hormones needed for ovulation. That said, let’s take a closer look at how FSH and LH work:

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) – This hormone is tasked with stimulating the growth of eggs during a woman’s menstrual cycle. However, as women get older, FSH levels increase, which leads to a decrease in the number of eggs she is capable of producing. In short, the higher the FSH levels, the lower her chances are of becoming pregnant.
Luteinizing hormone (LH) – This hormone plays a critical role in ovulation in that it tells the ovaries to release a mature egg. LH levels that are too high are usually indicative of either a pituitary disorder or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It is also worth noting that low LH is often correlated with an eating disorder, compulsive exercising or stress.

Treatments

If a woman’s fertility problems are linked to a poorly functioning pituitary gland, reproductive endocrinologists will usually prescribe oral medication and FSH and LH hormone injections to increase egg production, which, in turn, improves her chances of becoming pregnant. Although other treatments are available, these are the most common when it comes to fertility problems caused by a poorly functioning pituitary gland.