Enemy #1 for Male Fertility

Did you notice those guys with big muscles at the gym or on the beach? The muscles may be from "just plain old fashioned hard work in the gym" or they could be from using anabolic steroids or performing enhancing drugs. Those that use anabolic steroids or PEDs to build and repair muscle are doing damage to their testicles. These testosterone-based hormones are very bad for men who eventually want to have children. They actually work almost like a contraceptive. When a man is taking anabolic steroids, it is virtually impossible for him to get his partner pregnant.

The use of anabolic steroids historically has been used by athletes in major sports, such as weight lifting, baseball and football. Because these so called "role models" use these drugs, anabolic steroid use or abuse has filtered down and is being used by recreational weight lifters, college and high school athletes, etc.

How do anabolic steroids affect male fertility? Sperm are formed in theMale Fertility, Steriods, Stanton Hoenig, M.D. body when brain hormones such as luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) work directly on the testicles. In the testicle, cells called Leydig cells are turned on to produce the male hormone, testosterone. When this occurs, there are very high levels of testosterone that are present in the testicle, although there is a normal amount of testosterone in the blood stream. When men use anabolic steroids, they trick the body into thinking that the testicles DO NOT have to produce testosterone. When this happens, the amount of testosterone in the testicles is extremely low, despite normal or very high levels in the bloodstream. When this situation occurs, follicle stimulating hormone also is not released. This combination causes the testicles to shrink and to produce little if any sperm.

Although use of anabolic steroids can stop sperm production, the good news is that in many cases this problem is reversible. It appears that the longer one uses the steroids and the higher the dosage used, the more likely these become irreversible problems. Once performance enhancing drugs are stopped, sperm production may start again but will return in the ejaculate at the earliest three months after stopping the drugs. In fact, in patients who have used steroids for years, this sometimes may take one to two years before one may see a return in sperm production. After a period of time after stopping the PEDs, sometimes medical therapy can enhance the ability of the body to restart sperm production. This is usually done with human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG. In certain cases, if hCG alone does not stimulate sperm production, a form of FSH called human menopausal gonadotropin may be added to improve the chances of return of sperm.

Anabolic steroids can cause other health problems that sometimes can be irreversible. These include aggressive behavior, acne, baldness, prominent breasts, liver disease, high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke. In adolescents, it may result in stunted growth and accelerated puberty changes.

PEDs can also cause sexual dysfunction. When the anabolic steroids are stopped, the "sexual rush" is gone and this will cause testosterone levels to crash to virtually zero. This may cause symptoms such as tiredness, loss of energy and loss of sex drive. Testosterone production may return in a few months, however, in certain situations, it may be a permanent problem. Luckily, there is medical treatment for this problem to raise testosterone levels back to the normal range.

Steroids and Male Fertility

It’s a well known fact that abusing steroids can shrink your balls and cause development of breast tissue. After talking to a number of male fertility specialists, we’ve learned that steroids are also one of the leading preventable causes of male infertility. Learn the facts and keep yourself safe.

How steroids work?

Anabolic steroids are part of a class of drugs called androgens which are compounds that act similarly to testosterone. Testosterone is naturally produced in the testicle where it’s primary role is to help with the development of sperm. Excess testosterone is sent from the testicle to the rest of the body where it binds to other cells and causes them to express proteins that make men more manly (bigger muscles, more body hair, etc). In the brain there is a little thermostat that regulates the body’s hormones. When testosterone levels are low, it produces secondary hormones (LH, FSH, GnRH) which in turn cause the testicles to increase testosterone production. (See our biology lesson on hormones for more details).

Taking steroids short-circuits the body’s natural hormone thermostat. Artificially increasing blood testosterone to ultra-high levels causes the body to build more muscle mass, but it also tells the brain that the body is producing too much testosterone and it attempts to correct it by shutting down testosterone production in the balls. Problem is, testosterone can’t get from the blood stream into the testicle and since it is necessary ingredient for sperm production, the testicles stop producing sperm.

Do they cause permanent damage?
Well, it depends on how much is used and for how long. Long term use can shrivel up the balls and kill off the cells that are produce testosterone. It can also interrupt the signal pathways that enable the body to correct itself and re-establish a healthy hormone balance.

The healthiest way to boost blood testosterone levels is to super charge your balls. There are a lot of tricks to help your body naturally boost testosterone levels. Check out Lee Myers blog on increasing T.

If you plan on using any androgen – this includes hormone replacement therapy, patches, creams, steroids, etc. Please talk to a male fertility specialist to learn options for enhancing testosterone levels safely so that you are able to preserve your fertility.

Is there any way to regain fertility?
First, stop taking steroids. Depending on how much and how long you used, simply quitting may be enough to restore fertility. It takes up to a year to regain full sperm counts so be patient with your body.

Sometimes the body needs help getting the signals going again. If so, a male fertility specialist will do a blood panel to determine your hormone profile. Based on that they can prescribe a variety of drugs that will kickstart sperm production.

In extreme cases, the body is unable to get sperm production levels up high enough for natural conception. Don’t worry. There’s technology for that. Thanks to the modern marvels of medicine if there is even a few sperm hidden away deep in the testicle then there is a chance of conceiving. Highly skilled micro-surgeons can scan the testicle with a microscope in search of sperm. If they find one, they can inject it directly into an egg and implant the egg in the uterus.

Male breast cancer

Male breast cancer is cancer that forms in the breast tissue of men. Though breast cancer is most commonly thought of as a woman's disease, male breast cancer does occur.

Male breast cancer is most common in older men, though male breast cancer can occur at any age.

Men diagnosed with male breast cancer at an early stage have a good chance for a cure. Still, many men delay seeing their doctors if they notice unusual signs or symptoms, such as a breast lump. For this reason, many male breast cancers are diagnosed when the disease is more advanced.

Causes
It's not clear what causes male breast cancer. Doctors know that male breast cancer occurs when some breast cells begin growing abnormally. These cells divide more rapidly than healthy cells do. The accumulating cells form a tumor that may spread (metastasize) to nearby tissue, to the lymph nodes or to other parts of the body.

Where breast cancer begins in men
Everyone is born with a small amount of breast tissue. Breast tissue is made up of milk-producing glands (lobules), ducts that carry milk to the nipples and fat. Women begin developing more breast tissue during puberty and men do not. Because men are born with a small amount of breast tissue, they can develop breast cancer.

Types of breast cancer diagnosed in men include:

    Cancer that begins in the milk ducts. Ductal carcinoma is the most common type of male breast cancer. Nearly all male breast cancers begin in the milk ducts.
    Cancer that begins in the milk-producing glands. Lobular carcinoma is rare in men because men have few lobules in their breast tissue.
    Cancer that spreads to the nipple. In some cases, breast cancer can form in the milk ducts and spread to the nipple, causing crusty, scaly skin around the nipple. This is called Paget's disease of the nipple.

Inherited genes that increase breast cancer risk
Some men inherit mutated genes from their parents that increase the risk of breast cancer. Mutations in one of several genes, especially a gene called BRCA2, put you at greater risk of developing breast and prostate cancers. The normal function of these genes is to help prevent cancer by making proteins that keep cells from growing abnormally. But if they have a mutation, the genes aren't as effective at protecting you from cancer.

Meeting with a genetic counselor and undergoing genetic testing can determine whether you carry gene mutations that increase your risk of breast cancer. Discuss the benefits and risks of genetic testing with your doctor.

Factors that increase the risk of male breast cancer include:

    Older age. Breast cancer is most common in men ages 60 to 70.
    Exposure to estrogen. If you take estrogen-related drugs, such as those used as part of a sex-change procedure, your risk of breast cancer is increased. Estrogen drugs may also be used in hormone therapy for prostate cancer.
    Family history of breast cancer. If you have a close family member with breast cancer, you have a greater chance of developing the disease.
    Klinefelter's syndrome. This genetic syndrome occurs when a boy is born with more than one copy of the X chromosome. Klinefelter's syndrome causes abnormal development of the testicles. As a result, men with this syndrome produce lower levels of certain male hormones (androgens) and more female hormones (estrogens).
    Liver disease. If you have liver disease, such as cirrhosis of the liver, your male hormones may be reduced and your female hormones may be increased. This can increase your risk of breast cancer.
    Obesity. Obesity may be a risk factor for breast cancer in men because it increases the number of fat cells in the body. Fat cells convert androgens into estrogen, which may increase the amount of estrogen in your body and, therefore, your risk of breast cancer.
    Radiation exposure. If you've received radiation treatments to your chest, such as those used to treat cancers in the chest, you're more likely to develop breast cancer later in life.

Male Menopause Symptoms

Male menopause symptoms associated with andropause and the associated decline in testosterone levels do not affect all men with the same intensity. Many men may be surprised to know that male menopause symptoms are similar to those women experience with menopause. It is also possible for men’s symptoms to range from being mildly uncomfortable to erupting as severe as those reported by some menopausal women. Symptoms and signs of menopause in men can include the following:

    Loss of libido
    Depression
    Increased irritability and/or mood swings
    Hot flushes (yes, male hot flashes do occur)
    Insomnia and other sleep problems
    Lethargy
    Loss of lean body mass
    Loss of bone mass/density (which increases the risk of fracture and development of osteoporosis)
    Decline in strength and/or endurance during exercise
    Increasing difficulty attaining and maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction)

About 40 percent of men ages 40 to 60 experience some of these male menopause symptoms to varying degrees, and the percentage continues to rise after age 60. Perhaps the most distressing of the male menopause symptoms is the onset of erection difficulties. These challenges can escalate into full-blown erectile dysfunction, along with male loss of libido. However, erectile dysfunction is not an inevitable part of male menopause.

In fact, most men remain sexually active up to age 70 and beyond unless they have health problems that affect erectile function, such as diabetes, heart disease, or obesity. Between 15 percent and 25 percent of men age 65 have chronic erectile dysfunction, while for a greater percentage of older men, erectile problems occur only occasionally. For some men, however, stress and anxiety surrounding the development of male menopause symptoms causes them to experience erectile dysfunction. This anxiety can then perpetuate the problem unless men take steps to treat erectile dysfunction and andropause symptoms. In such cases, an understanding partner and perhaps counseling for erectile dysfunction can dispel the problem.

Can Laptops Harm Male Fertility?

It is true that the heat from a laptop can warm men's scrotums, and it is also true that an increase in scrotal temperature - by more than one degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) - can have damaging effects on sperm quality, but I haven't seen research linking laptop use with a decline in male fertility.

This issue recently came to light, however, after investigators at the State University of New York at Stony Brook published a small study (of 29 young men) showing that scrotal temperature increased within 10 to 15 minutes of holding a laptop computer on the lap. After an hour of this, scrotal temperature rose by 2.5 C. This happened even when the men placed a lap pad under the computer. The study was published online Nov. 3, 2010 in the journal Fertility and Sterility.

The investigators found that when the men in their study sat with their legs spread wide and put the computer on a large lap pad, scrotal temperature remained cooler for a while, but still began to edge up in less than 30 minutes. Incidentally, prolonged bicycling can also overheat the testicles as can frequent use of saunas or hot tubs.

This is probably not the greatest threat to male fertility - you can always circumvent any potential risk by putting the laptop on a desk. And in any event, it is unlikely that any resulting impairment of fertility would be permanent. Nevertheless, if you are man with a fertility problem, it would be better to keep your laptop off your lap.

The major causes of male infertility are defects in reproductive anatomy or physiology, such as a damaged vas deferens (the tube that carries sperm from the testes), disease (including sexually transmitted diseases), hormonal disorders and chemotherapy. In addition to heat, environmental exposures to toxins and some chemicals can impair sperm production.

Sperm Damage: A Leading Cause of Male Infertility

Damage to the DNA tightly packed inside sperm may contribute to 40 percent of male infertility. But the good news is that men may be able to overcome this.


Scientists are getting closer to understanding the causes of male infertility. According to a study published in the journal Reproductive Biomedicine Online, damage to the DNA in sperm occurred among 40 percent of study participants, who were couples receiving in-vitro fertility treatments. Research also has found that sperm damage is responsible for an estimated 80 percent of previously unexplained cases of male infertility. But there are steps men can take to reduce that sperm damage, such as quitting smoking.

Eighty percent of men who previously were unexplained, we've now got a cause. Once you find a diagnosis, you can do something. Sperm is a tightly wrapped packet of DNA with a tail attached and a single goal: Get to the egg and fertilize it to make a baby. Being able to swim and having good DNA are the only things that matter.

Usually when men's sperm is tested during fertility work-ups, doctors check for how healthy the sperm look under a microscope, how many there are in a given space, and how well they move. These are important factors, but Lewis says that this data doesn't correlate all that well with live births. Because of that, she and her colleagues have spent the better part of a decade looking for more in-depth information about sperm that could help predict the success of conception and live births.

Instead of results that tell you what portion of your total sperm count isn't behaving well enough for fertility, Lewis and her colleagues developed the SpermComet assay, a test that unravels the DNA packet inside sperm and reveals the amount of damage in each one. All men have some level of damage in some sperm, and most of the time, it is not enough to affect fertility. The cutoff point, after which the sperm are too damaged for fertility, is about 25 percent damaged. Not only do these damaged sperm reduce the odds of conception, but they also increase the chances of miscarriage if conception does occur.

What to Do About DNA Damage

Unlike other cells that contain DNA, sperm do not replicate or make repairs. But Lewis points out that because men are continuously making new sperm, sperm quality can be improved in about two months if you stop the behaviors that can damage it.

Smoking is probably the number one cause of DNA damage. Alcohol abuse and recreational drug use also damage sperm DNA. If you can quit smoking, cut back on alcohol and give up recreational drugs such as marijuana, there's a good chance that sperm will be less damaged 70 days later. Talk with your physician about other possible causes of DNA damage to help identify other steps you can take to improve the odds of conception and live birth.

Other Causes of Male Infertility

Researchers have found that about half of couples' infertility cases are because of male infertility alone, yet the exact male infertility causes are still being investigated. Sperm damage is one factor, but other possible explanations include:

•     Genetic infertility
•     Anatomical changes that make reproduction difficult
•     Excessively hot environment, like a hot tub
•     Bicycle or motorcycle riding
•     Exposure to certain chemicals, such as pesticides

The question of what causes infertility is so wide open that occasionally rumors of culprits like laptops or cell phones can gain a frenzy of media attention without much data behind them. But, for at least some men, the new DNA-level testing should help uncover some facts about their own fertility and offer hope for conception. 

Steroids Can Shrink a Man's Penis

Steroids are medically generated substance used for various medical purposes. It is commonly utilized to enhance body growth. Basically, steroids are used by body builders, athletes, and people with active occupations. Some forms of steroids are used in performing surgeries and as pain reliever. The use of steroids requires a prescription from an authorized physician. However, steroids are definitely banned I all sports. In fact, a lot of big name sports personalities have been linked to the use of steroids. Accordingly, the misuse of steroids can lead to a lot of side effects, which causes diseases and even death.

The most common form of steroid is the anabolic steroid. Essentially, steroids promote growth of tissues and muscles. Every man has secretes a hormone called testosterone, which is responsible for the physical growth during puberty. The purpose of anabolic steroids is enhancers to make the androgenic effects possible, which make a man's sexual features, develop fast. Because of this, a lot of men have used steroids to boost their penis size and erection. However, steroids are expensive, does is not affordable to all men. To remedy this problem, some men take other steroid containing substance.

The use of steroids entails a lot of negative effects to the body. These side effects are described to be severe and can even cause death. Most steroids permanently damage the organs and other parts of the body. The male reproductive organ is one of the most susceptible to the damage caused by steroids. This is because, anabolic like hormones are also produced by the male reproductive organ. The use of steroids can cause temporary and permanent impotence. The effect of steroid is so strong that even increased libido or sexual desire will not make a penis erect. The penis may erect, but it may not really serve its purpose. In essence, the steroids paralyze the ability of the penis to perform its functions.

On the other hand, studies show that there is no direct linkage to penis shrinkage and steroids. Normally, a penis will shrink if man is out of sexual desires. Another reason is that tight underwear may cause the penis to reduce in size. The bad thing is that the steroids may cause the penis to stay shrunk. This is because erection will be a problem and it is the only way for the penis to grow. Others think that the use of steroids could have resulted to a permanent shrinkage. When the damage has been done, every effort to bring back the usual form of the penis will be futile.

With everything said, steroids may not directly cause the shrinkage of a penis. However, the use of steroids may aggravate the situation. Steroids may cause tremendous growth in the body, but the side effects should be more emphasized. A temporary growth may indeed lead to permanent distraction. As advised, would be steroid user must be able to secure the necessary prescriptions from knowledgeable physicians. Provided with the damages that steroid brings, it will be eye opener to all that everything has its advantages and disadvantages. 

How to Increase Testosterone

Testosterone - the main male sex hormone. Simply put, the man would not be a man without this hormone. Testosterone is responsible for the potency and stimulates muscle growth.

Nutrition Research Center, and the problem of aging in the United States found that in men over 30 years of muscle mass decreases by about 1% per year. And the lower the level of testosterone in the blood, the more a man is losing muscle mass.

However, most interestingly, while it increased waist circumference. Beer belly of a man is the catalyst of low testosterone levels. It causes drowsiness, decreased performance and sexual desire.

And although the production of testosterone is regulated genetically, you have the opportunity to influence this process. Our tips will help you slow down the loss of testosterone, thereby allowing you to be in great shape for years to come.

Go to GYM
Increase the level of testosterone can, performing various exercises in the gym such as squats, bench press from the chest or doing exercises with dumbbells. You should work more with heavy objects and less to run.

Sleep
It was in deep sleep produced most of the sex hormones, and if you keep enough sleep, all the measures taken to increase testosterone levels, will be in vain. Healthy sleep should last about 7-8 hours. Research at the University of Chicago have shown that testosterone levels drop by 15% if the subjects slept 5 hours a day. Therefore, it is important to provide sleeping conditions for maximum production of testosterone.

Give up alcohol
Studies show that excess alcohol accelerates the conversion of testosterone and other androgens into estrogens (roughly speaking, the male hormones in the female). If you want to maximize the production of testosterone, avoid excess weight set - Reduce consumption of alcohol.

Have sex
A group of male subjects was measured testosterone levels before, during, and after watching pornographic films. The highest rates by an average of 35% more than normal were recorded in 60-90 minutes after the end of the film. Thus, erection helps to increase testosterone levels. So you homework - to have sex more often.

Try to win
Not for nothing called the hormone testosterone winners. Even the small and insignificant victory boosts testosterone levels for some time. Therefore, participating in various tournaments and rejoice the victory.

Do not save on calories
The men who took only 1800 calories a day and led an active life, testosterone levels fell by 40-50% within five days. "So do not save on calories, because they lack the body will perceive as hunger and begin to slow down the production of testosterone," - says Tara Gidus, a sports nutritionist NBA team, "Orlando Magic".

Add fat
Proteins, fats, carbohydrates - is the foundation of power, without which there is no biochemical process. Fat - a source of cholesterol, which is required for the synthesis of testosterone. So you definitely need to include meat in your daily diet.

Do not forget about vitamins
A special role in the synthesis of testosterone plays vitamins C, E, F (omega-3 and omega-6) and vitamins of group B. Vitamin C, F, and B are involved in the synthesis, and Vitamin E protects against decay testosterone molecule. These vitamins are found in citrus fruits, rose hips, black currants, fish oil, avocados, nuts. So include these foods in your diet.