Overview
While hormonal causes of infertility are less common than anatomic causes, it is often seen in men who receive an abnormal semen analysis result. If the sperm concentration is less than 10 million per microliters of semen, your fertility expert will ask you to take a hormone evaluation. Testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone are the first hormones that will be evaluated. If needed, the doctor will ask you to take further tests for Prolactin and Luteinizing hormone.
Symptoms of male hormonal imbalance
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Weight gain
- Depression
- Low sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction
Key fertility hormones
Many hormones work together to help fertility work normally. A single hormone off balance can cause a fertility problem.
- Testosterone
This hormone regulates libido, erectile function, fat distribution, muscle mass, hair growth and sperm production. - Follicle stimulating hormone
This hormone is responsible for the production of sperm. - Luteinizing hormone
This hormone signals the testes to start producing testosterone. - Prolactin
Elevated levels of prolactin can cause abnormal testosterone and sperm release. It can cause an inability to attain an erection. - Estrogen
In males, the testosterone becomes estrogen as they grow older. If the estrogen levels are high, it may mean that there is not enough testosterone to keep up normal fertility. - Thyroid stimulating Hormone
This hormone helps the thyroid gland produce T3 and T4 hormones - T3 and T4 thyroid hormones
If the balance of T3 and T4 hormones are off, the man may have poor quality semen, low sperm count, low sex drive, low testicular function and erectile
dysfunction.