Verified by Edna Skopljak MD
Edna Skopljak is a medical doctor and an editor at BJBMS medical journal. She graduated from the University of Sarajevo School of Science and Technology.
en you’re trying to get pregnant, you’ve probably asked yourself, if my husband takes testosterone injections, can I still get pregnant? – and you’re in the right place, as that is the topic of discussion in this article.
If you’re worried about how your husband’s testosterone levels might affect his fertility, and if his injections/TRT can affect your chance to conceive, we’ve detailed everything you need to know about low testosterone, the effects of testosterone therapies on fertility, and if TRT’s will affect your chances of getting pregnant.
Can A Man On Testosterone Get A Woman Pregnant?
In most cases, no – men who take testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) suffer extreme decreases in their sperm count while on TRTs, which can even result in temporary infertility. While some men have not been debilitated by their testosterone therapy and could still get a woman pregnant, most men will have problems with their fertility when following hormone therapy, drastically reducing their chances of conceiving.
It’s an important question to ask, ‘if my husband takes testosterone injections, can I still get pregnant?’ – TRT and other testosterone therapies are being studied and experimented on as a male form of contraception due to its categorical evidence of lowering the sperm count in men as well as causing temporary infertility.
Despite the massive benefits men gain when they safely use and take TRT, like mood and libido improvements, these therapies and testosterone injections can pose a severe risk if you aim to conceive without fertility issues.
There is a serious concern among leading physicians and clinicians because of the overuse and mistreatment of men who take testosterone as a fertility treatment without being warned of the health risks and long-term complications when it comes to their fertility and ability to start a family in the future.
The problem with most TRTs is that they shut off the body’s ability to produce sperm (known as spermatogenesis) and will radically affect your fertility resulting in a very low or zero sperm count – thus affecting your ability to conceive.
Can A Man’s Testosterone Affect Fertility?
Simply answered, yes – a man’s testosterone levels will affect his fertility and sperm count. T, or testosterone, is one of the main hormones in males and is responsible for many functions for the body to stay fit, healthy, and most importantly, fertile.
Low levels of testosterone are caused by various factors, and can include the following:
- Aging
- Obesity
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Use of narcotics and other drugs
- Testicular injury
- Diabetes
- And other factors
Men who suffer from low testosterone (Low T, or medically as hypogonadism) will have a direct impact on their fertility and sex drive. However, men can still have enough testosterone for sperm production even with ‘low T’ and is not a cause to lament just yet.
Sperm production is not a set-in-stone thing – lifestyle changes can quickly increase fertility and testosterone which will drastically increase your chances to conceive. If your husband takes testosterone injections or other TRTs, it’s highly recommended to find natural alternative methods while you’re interested in starting or growing your family.
Some lifestyle changes you can undergo to increase your testosterone levels naturally include:
- Exercise and a healthy diet.
- Weight loss and weight management
- Quit smoking and excessive drinking
- Consult with a dietician regarding the best foods for natural hormone production
- Consult with your physician regarding some suggested lifestyle changes and additions
Can A Man Take Testosterone Cause Birth Defects?
Taking testosterone can cause birth defects in a fetus due to the teratogenic (a chemical that causes birth abnormalities) properties of testosterone. It’s important to speak to your physician if you are pregnant and are on TRTs.
What Is Low Testosterone?
Low testosterone and low sperm count is known as hypogonadism and is a condition when the testicles can’t produce enough testosterone. The cause of this can be varied and there are several ways this can be treated outside of TRT.
According to the AUS (American Urology Association) research, low testosterone is categorized when a male has less than 300 nanograms/DL of blood testosterone produced by the testicles. This is why it’s important to know that TRTs can cause low-sperm count and shut off the body’s ability to produce sperm.
Can Low Testosterone Be Treated?
There are multiple ways to naturally increase and treat low testosterone and low sperm count when trying to conceive.
Whether a man’s low T is caused by a genetic condition, age, or damage, consult your healthcare practitioners to get advice on the best methods you can implement to help.
How Long After Taking Testosterone Does Sperm Count Decrease?
According to the NCBI, within 4 months of taking testosterone in the form of TRT, spermatogenesis in men leads to a minimum decrease of 65%. Testosterone has been considered a male form of contraception and is often prescribed to men without all the facts.
However, after stopping TRT, men have shown within 110 days, all men in the studies displayed up to 85% return to normal sperm production. It can take up to 2 years to return to your baseline levels of production, but the process is reversible.
Does TRT Make You Infertile?
Yes, TRT can cause infertility in men by stopping the body from producing the hormones responsible for sperm production. The good news is that this process is reversible once hormone therapies have stopped.
Are Testosterone Supplements For Fertility A Good Idea?
No, testosterone supplements and other TRTs are a form of fertility treatment that will only make your sperm production slower or stop completely.
There are natural methods to increase your testosterone and sperm count, and it’s always best to consult with your doctor about the best methods you can take to naturally increase fertility rates.
Our Conclusion
The side effects are a surprise for many – and the reason more doctors need to be aware of the role testosterone has on male fertility before giving TRTs the green light. There’s no need to worry too much over the question, ‘if my husband takes testosterone injections, can I still get pregnant?’
If you are planning pregnancy while your husband is on TRT, consult your OB&GYN. Furthermore, if the pregnancy occurs during TRT, your OB&GYN should be familiar with this fact in any case.
Having armed yourself with the facts, you can now move forward with the right knowledge and methods for the best fertility and pregnancy plan.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5182223/
https://lomalindafertility.com/infertility/men/low-testosterone/
https://www.webmd.com/men/features/infertility
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6305868/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15603-low-testosterone-male-hypogonadism
