Male Factor Infertility
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Zero Sperm" in semen analysis
An_206307 posted:
My husband has been using "AndroGel", Testosterone supplement gel, for over a year (two 5-gram pockets per day) because of low sex drive. We are trying to conceive. He did his sperm analysis last December, and he got low volume in sperm, but other numbers in the semen analysis report looked good. We visited our fertility doctor in January and they needed my husband to do semen analysis again. This February and today, twice, both semen analysis reports both showed "ZERO SPERM". The fertility doctor wanted us to see an urologist. I was shocked when I saw "Testosterone supplement can destroy the sperm count" on the infertility community discussion. My questions are: if he stops using Testosterone supplement gel, how long can his sperm count come back to his normal level? He also uses Cialis for his ED. How does that impact his sperm count? Is it worth to see an urologist? Thanks in advance.
11 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Zero Sperm" in semen analysisMy husband has been using "AndroGel", Testosterone supplement gel, for over a year (two 5-gram pockets per day) because of low sex drive. We are trying to conceive. He did his sperm analysis last December, and he got low volume in sperm, but other numbers in the semen analysis report looked good. We visited our fertility doctor in January and they needed my husband to do semen analysis again. This February and today, twice, both semen analysis reports both showed "ZERO SPERM". The fertility doctor wanted us to see an urologist. I was shocked when I saw "Testosterone supplement can destroy the sperm count" on the infertility community discussion. My questions are: if he stops using Testosterone supplement gel, how long can his sperm count come back to his normal level? He also uses Cialis for his ED. How does that impact his sperm count? Is it worth to see an urologist? Thanks in advance.
An_206308 responded:
To cure infertility or azoospermia caused by prostatitis, epididymitis or other genital diseases, I suggest you to take Diuretic and Anti-inflammatory Pill.
Diuretic and Anti-inflammatory Pill can kill bacteria, virus, mycoplasma, chlamydia and pathogen. Meanwhile, it can promote Qi to release pain, clear away heat and dampness, promote blood circulation and dissolve stasis. After three to four months treatment, patients would have their tests results normal and the disease is cured.
1. As a traditional Chinese medicine, it is very effective in killing bacteria and other pathogen.
2. Traditional Chinese herbs with other herbs which can treat in the lesion, the disease can be cured by provide more oxygen and nutrition in the semen. So that azoospermia can get cured.
Diuretic and Anti-inflammatory Pill can kill bacteria, virus, mycoplasma, chlamydia and pathogen. Meanwhile, it can promote Qi to release pain, clear away heat and dampness, promote blood circulation and dissolve stasis. After three to four months treatment, patients would have their tests results normal and the disease is cured.
1. As a traditional Chinese medicine, it is very effective in killing bacteria and other pathogen.
2. Traditional Chinese herbs with other herbs which can treat in the lesion, the disease can be cured by provide more oxygen and nutrition in the semen. So that azoospermia can get cured.
Report This| Share this:Zero Sperm" in semen analysisTo cure infertility or azoospermia caused by prostatitis, epididymitis or other genital diseases, I suggest you to take Diuretic and Anti-inflammatory Pill. <br />Diuretic and Anti-inflammatory Pill can kill bacteria, virus, mycoplasma, chlamydia and pathogen. Meanwhile, it can promote Qi to release pain, clear away heat and dampness, promote blood circulation and dissolve stasis. After three to four months treatment, patients would have their tests results normal and the disease is cured.<br />1. As a traditional Chinese medicine, it is very effective in killing bacteria and other pathogen.<br />2. Traditional Chinese herbs with other herbs which can treat in the lesion, the disease can be cured by provide more oxygen and nutrition in the semen. So that azoospermia can get cured.
AmyAALC responded:
Yes he needs to make an appointment with a local urologist. Clomid or hCG can be used to return that sperm production. The urologist should also address the true cause of the low T. Using T supplements will just mask the problem not fix it and easy for any doctor to just prescribe T without getting to the bottom of the real problem. With the hCG his sperm could return in a few months.
I'm guessing he was not seeing working with an urologist when he started the AndroGel. His primary care doctor should have referred him to an urologist with the problems stated above to have them properly addressed.
Studies have shown Viagra to have a negative impact on sperm so Cialis is a better option. Figuring out his low T levels should help correct the ED issue and hopefully result in no need for any ED medications.
Amy Perkins, MS, TS
Laboratory Supervisor
Arizona Andrology Laboratory & Cryobank
International Center for Vasectomy Reversal
I'm guessing he was not seeing working with an urologist when he started the AndroGel. His primary care doctor should have referred him to an urologist with the problems stated above to have them properly addressed.
Studies have shown Viagra to have a negative impact on sperm so Cialis is a better option. Figuring out his low T levels should help correct the ED issue and hopefully result in no need for any ED medications.
Amy Perkins, MS, TS
Laboratory Supervisor
Arizona Andrology Laboratory & Cryobank
International Center for Vasectomy Reversal
Report This| Share this:Zero Sperm" in semen analysisYes he needs to make an appointment with a local urologist. Clomid or hCG can be used to return that sperm production. The urologist should also address the true cause of the low T. Using T supplements will just mask the problem not fix it and easy for any doctor to just prescribe T without getting to the bottom of the real problem. With the hCG his sperm could return in a few months. <br /><br />I'm guessing he was not seeing working with an urologist when he started the AndroGel. His primary care doctor should have referred him to an urologist with the problems stated above to have them properly addressed.<br /><br /><br />Studies have shown Viagra to have a negative impact on sperm so Cialis is a better option. Figuring out his low T levels should help correct the ED issue and hopefully result in no need for any ED medications.<br /><br />Amy Perkins, MS, TS<br />Laboratory Supervisor<br />Arizona Andrology Laboratory & Cryobank<br />International Center for Vasectomy Reversal
Thank you very much. I am glad to know there might be solutions to return his sperm production. Our fertility doctor wants him to stop using Testosterone gel supplement and check back in about 2 months to see if his sperm count is improved. I guess my husband's low T may be a result of his age since he is 60. He started to have low sex drive around age 54. The primary physician prescribed Testosterone gel because of his loss of libido. The physician is aware of our trying to conceive, but I guess he doesn't know Testosterone gel supplement has negative impacts on the sperm count.
My husband is also taking some other medications, such as Niaspan, Simvastatin, Fexofenadine, and Nexium. Niaspan and Simvastatin are for cholesterol; Fexofenadine is for nasal congestion; Nexium is for acid reflux. Are you aware of any to these can have negative impact on the sperm count?
Again, thank you very much in advance!
My husband is also taking some other medications, such as Niaspan, Simvastatin, Fexofenadine, and Nexium. Niaspan and Simvastatin are for cholesterol; Fexofenadine is for nasal congestion; Nexium is for acid reflux. Are you aware of any to these can have negative impact on the sperm count?
Again, thank you very much in advance!
Report This| Share this:Zero Sperm" in semen analysisThank you very much. I am glad to know there might be solutions to return his sperm production. Our fertility doctor wants him to stop using Testosterone gel supplement and check back in about 2 months to see if his sperm count is improved. I guess my husband's low T may be a result of his age since he is 60. He started to have low sex drive around age 54. The primary physician prescribed Testosterone gel because of his loss of libido. The physician is aware of our trying to conceive, but I guess he doesn't know Testosterone gel supplement has negative impacts on the sperm count. <br />My husband is also taking some other medications, such as Niaspan, Simvastatin, Fexofenadine, and Nexium. Niaspan and Simvastatin are for cholesterol; Fexofenadine is for nasal congestion; Nexium is for acid reflux. Are you aware of any to these can have negative impact on the sperm count? <br /> <br />Again, thank you very much in advance!
It is likely those medications will not impact his fertility but check with your local pharmacist for possible male factor fertility side effects on those medications.
Amy
Amy
Report This| Share this:Zero Sperm" in semen analysisIt is likely those medications will not impact his fertility but check with your local pharmacist for possible male factor fertility side effects on those medications.<br /><br />Amy
eae82978 responded:
My husband and I are going through the same thing. We saw a urologist yesterday who told us Androgel lowers sperm counts to nothing. He said it will take about 4 months to get his counts up to normal. He told us there was another testosterone replacement that my husband could take that wouldnt affect his sperm count. I was literally floored. I trust this doctor, even though this was our fist visit, bc he is a friend of my parents... Good luck and I hope this helps.
Report This| Share this:Zero Sperm" in semen analysisMy husband and I are going through the same thing. We saw a urologist yesterday who told us Androgel lowers sperm counts to nothing. He said it will take about 4 months to get his counts up to normal. He told us there was another testosterone replacement that my husband could take that wouldnt affect his sperm count. I was literally floored. I trust this doctor, even though this was our fist visit, bc he is a friend of my parents... Good luck and I hope this helps.
eae82978 responded:
The EXACT same thing happened to us. We saw a urologist and he told us it would take 4 months for his body to produce the sperm and be able to release it. He also said if my husband needs to be on a testosterone supplement there is one he could use that would not affect his sperm count. Good luck
Report This| Share this:Zero Sperm" in semen analysisThe EXACT same thing happened to us. We saw a urologist and he told us it would take 4 months for his body to produce the sperm and be able to release it. He also said if my husband needs to be on a testosterone supplement there is one he could use that would not affect his sperm count. Good luck
LMinogue85 responded:
I am in the same spot. My husband has moved from AndroGel to injectable T because he wasn't absorbing it topically. We were told by our endocrinologist that it could lower sperm count, but that it coult take years, be right away, or maybe not happen at all. Well it happened, and fast. We are waiting for an appointment to figure out what to do next because we are TTC. He is only 29 and we have no children as of yet. He is also on Cialis, and I'm afraid it could effect sperm quality, but haven't found any research about that yet. Have you been to a urologist yet? Has his sperm count returned to normal yet? I'm very worried we may never be able to have children.
Report This| Share this:Zero Sperm" in semen analysisI am in the same spot. My husband has moved from AndroGel to injectable T because he wasn't absorbing it topically. We were told by our endocrinologist that it could lower sperm count, but that it coult take years, be right away, or maybe not happen at all. Well it happened, and fast. We are waiting for an appointment to figure out what to do next because we are TTC. He is only 29 and we have no children as of yet. He is also on Cialis, and I'm afraid it could effect sperm quality, but haven't found any research about that yet. Have you been to a urologist yet? Has his sperm count returned to normal yet? I'm very worried we may never be able to have children.
puppylovepuppy replied to AmyAALC's response:
I am trying to figure out to post so apologize that I am jumping in on someone else's discussion. Amy, my husband tried his first HCG injection and nearly doubled over in pain. He is a very strong man in impeccable shape. No body fat. He found it unbearable. Everyone talks about these HCG injections as a reasonable option but I was horrified seeing his reaction. Did we do something wrong and is this abnormal? I can't imagine asking him to take these shots for 3 months after that one experience. Also, we too were not told that Testim would lower sperm count and my husband was on it for 3 years recently. Are the odds good/bad or indifferent that the HCG shots could restart him up again? He is 50 years old.
Report This| Share this:Zero Sperm" in semen analysisI am trying to figure out to post so apologize that I am jumping in on someone else's discussion. Amy, my husband tried his first HCG injection and nearly doubled over in pain. He is a very strong man in impeccable shape. No body fat. He found it unbearable. Everyone talks about these HCG injections as a reasonable option but I was horrified seeing his reaction. Did we do something wrong and is this abnormal? I can't imagine asking him to take these shots for 3 months after that one experience. Also, we too were not told that Testim would lower sperm count and my husband was on it for 3 years recently. Are the odds good/bad or indifferent that the HCG shots could restart him up again? He is 50 years old.
Loriol responded:
So my husband did 3 months of compound pharmacy grade testosterone for 3 months. During this time I also started on clomid to get pregnant (his sperm count had been normal) so after 2 months of not getting pregnant I had him tested. His count had dropped to ZERO! So naturally I freaked out...he went off of testosterone immediately....his doctor had started him on clomid about a month before but obviously wasn't doing the job.so he continued on clomid for the next month, (25 mg 3x a week ) he hated it, so stopped. Good new is, 6 weeks later we conceived! (Without clomid because I thought that pointless to take ). We got him tested (before I knew I was prego) and his count had rebounded to 35 million! So we were very surprised and happy it came back so fast!! I am now 10 weeks!
Report This| Share this:Zero Sperm" in semen analysisSo my husband did 3 months of compound pharmacy grade testosterone for 3 months. During this time I also started on clomid to get pregnant (his sperm count had been normal) so after 2 months of not getting pregnant I had him tested. His count had dropped to ZERO! So naturally I freaked out...he went off of testosterone immediately....his doctor had started him on clomid about a month before but obviously wasn't doing the job.so he continued on clomid for the next month, (25 mg 3x a week ) he hated it, so stopped. Good new is, 6 weeks later we conceived! (Without clomid because I thought that pointless to take ). We got him tested (before I knew I was prego) and his count had rebounded to 35 million! So we were very surprised and happy it came back so fast!! I am now 10 weeks!
CJ723 responded:
My wife & I have been trying to conceive for a few years as well. I happen to have the problem. Went to my primary care, told him I was feeling sick. I never told him we were trying to conceive, but nore did he ask. He prescribed me androgel as well. Little did I know that taking testosterone kills off your sperm count, so when I went to the urologist, he took me off of the and put my on clomid and anastrazole. After a month on those, had a semen analysis done..no sperm. Took me off the clomid, and had me start doing HCG injections 3 times per week along still taking the anastrazole. Just had a semen analysis done 2 days ago (after being off the testosterone gel for 5 months, and being on the HCG and Anastrozole for 4 months), I still had no sperm. So, apparently, the next step for pregnanc is IVF. So, I hope your husband gets his count back up after taking those medications, because they sure as heck didn't work for me. And I'm really depressed over it. Having a hard time keeping on doing the right thing, and not having the positive results at the end. Good Luck.
Report This| Share this:Zero Sperm" in semen analysisMy wife & I have been trying to conceive for a few years as well. I happen to have the problem. Went to my primary care, told him I was feeling sick. I never told him we were trying to conceive, but nore did he ask. He prescribed me androgel as well. Little did I know that taking testosterone kills off your sperm count, so when I went to the urologist, he took me off of the and put my on clomid and anastrazole. After a month on those, had a semen analysis done..no sperm. Took me off the clomid, and had me start doing HCG injections 3 times per week along still taking the anastrazole. Just had a semen analysis done 2 days ago (after being off the testosterone gel for 5 months, and being on the HCG and Anastrozole for 4 months), I still had no sperm. So, apparently, the next step for pregnanc is IVF. So, I hope your husband gets his count back up after taking those medications, because they sure as heck didn't work for me. And I'm really depressed over it. Having a hard time keeping on doing the right thing, and not having the positive results at the end. Good Luck.
AmyAALC replied to puppylovepuppy's response:
Sounds like he might have hit a nerve. We often have patient's load the syringe with a larger needle and once loaded have them switch to a smaller gauge need for the injection. Call his Urology office and ask if the nurse can administer his next injection with you there as well and give a training on the home injections since the first one didn't go so well.
Was he directed to inject Sub-Q or IM? I've seen in directed either way so maybe changing up if okay with his doctor would help. This might take a change in needle size, length.
I think you will get the best response for returning fertility for the HCG injections so hope the next goes better and he will be able to continue on for the next 3 months.
Was he directed to inject Sub-Q or IM? I've seen in directed either way so maybe changing up if okay with his doctor would help. This might take a change in needle size, length.
I think you will get the best response for returning fertility for the HCG injections so hope the next goes better and he will be able to continue on for the next 3 months.
Report This| Share this:Zero Sperm" in semen analysisSounds like he might have hit a nerve. We often have patient's load the syringe with a larger needle and once loaded have them switch to a smaller gauge need for the injection. Call his Urology office and ask if the nurse can administer his next injection with you there as well and give a training on the home injections since the first one didn't go so well.<br /><br />Was he directed to inject Sub-Q or IM? I've seen in directed either way so maybe changing up if okay with his doctor would help. This might take a change in needle size, length.<br /><br />I think you will get the best response for returning fertility for the HCG injections so hope the next goes better and he will be able to continue on for the next 3 months.
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