By Dr. Jeffrey Buch, Director of Legacy Male Health Institute
Many men in their thirties, forties and fifties develop a progressive decrease in their energy level or their sex drive. Contrary to popular belief, this is not a “natural” part of the aging process. Often this is the result of a low serum testosterone level.
While it is the major male sex hormone,
testosterone also plays important roles in male health beyond simply providing for one’s sex drive or libido. Men with low testosterone (“T”) complain most often of low energy and a feeling of melancholy, some even complaining of significant depression. We, here at Legacy Male Health Institute, see this in many of our vasectomy reversal clients as well.
However, for men who experience low-T but wish to maintain their fertility, simply supplying extra testosterone is not good. Testosterone therapy is known to shut down the brain’s chemical stimulation of the testicles, resulting in severely decreased sperm count. In these cases, we recommend treating the condition with either Clomiphene or Tamoxifen, which stimulates the pituitary gland to release gonadotropins. This, in turn, stimulates the testicles to produce more testosterone in a “sperm-friendly” way. Often, the sperm counts will increase.
Side effects are minimal, but our experience has shown that the weak estrogenic effects of these pills at the brain level result in reduced sex drive in 10 percent of such cases. This reverses when the patient stops taking the pills. In approximately 80 percent of such cases, this treatment results in improved T levels and the symptoms of low Testosterone subside. It is also necessary to monitor estrogen levels, and in some cases administer an anti-estrogen pill, Anastrazole, in addition to either Clomiphene or Tamoxifen.
If a side effect such as reduced libido occurs or if the patient’s condition fails to respond to the pills, then weekly injections of HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) may work. In fact, we have successfully used HCG to restore fertility in many men who used anabolic steroids in their younger years.
The quality of life improves dramatically for men who are treated for low Testosterone, regardless of whether a vasectomy reversal is involved. However, when fertility needs to be preserved, it is crucial for men to consult an expert in male fertility who understands reproductive hormones in detail. Please visit us at www.vasectomyreversal.com for more information.
