The hypothalamus in the male brain and its nearby pituitary gland secrete hormones that regulate the production of male hormones and the development of healthy sperm in the testicles. If the testicles are functioning properly in producing sperm, certain cells release additional hormones and chemicals that provide feedback to the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to regulate the body\’s hormone levels. Normal sperm production depends entirely on the coordination, communication and cooperation between various parts of the male reproductive system.
Through blood analysis, you can know whether hormone levels are normal. If the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone and progesterone in the blood are abnormally elevated, it proves that the hormone production secreted by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland has not decreased, indicating abnormal testicular function. Normally, if the testicles respond normally to hormone signals, the hypothalamus and pituitary gland secrete less hormones.
The male and female reproductive systems are similar in many ways:The hypothalamus releases gonadotropin-releasing hormone, which stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone and lutein. Follicle-stimulating hormone and progesterone help regulate testicular function by circulating in the blood.
Although there are many observational reports of hormone therapy improving sperm count, long-term studies, including studies of experimental and control groups, show that this effect is not obvious after a few months. . Serial tests of the sperm over several weeks showed that the specific hormone therapy was successful. Sperm counts change from week to week, but long-term follow-up studies of patients have found that this increase is short-lived.
Hormonal therapy is expensive and has many side effects, such as bad temper and weight gain, so if your doctor recommends hormone therapy, you should ask more questions about it. These medications should not be taken regularly just because the sperm count is low, especially if male hormone levels are at normal values. If blood tests show normal hormone levels, it is best to avoid this treatment or choose another treatment.
It should be noted that hormone therapy can cause many disorders. For example, the resulting abnormal pituitary gland function and further reduction in follicle-stimulating hormone and progesterone levels. In another case, hypogonadism occurs due to insufficient gonadotropin secretion. It is a rare genetic abnormality that causes chronically low levels of hormones that stimulate the gonads.
Slightly lower than normal levels of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone may be due to problems with pituitary gland function.Because the problem is not serious, it is not easy to diagnose. For some men, taking 12.5 to 50 mg of clomiphene per day can increase the secretion levels of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, while also obtaining sufficient sperm count. Clomiphene is a synthetic hormone that stimulates the ovaries in women. During this course of treatment, a sperm analysis should be performed every 3 months to monitor sperm health and motility.
Adverse effects of oral clomiphene are minimal and uncommon. These adverse reactions include breast enlargement, nausea, mild weight gain, dizziness, vision problems, and skin irritations. All these symptoms will gradually disappear after stopping the drug.
More severe follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone deficiencies can be treated with oral tablets of clomiphene or menopausal gonadotropin injections. If taken or injected 2 to 3 times a week for 6 months, these drugs can bring the sperm count to normal levels.
Less than 1% of infertile men will develop this rare phenomenon of hypogonadism, but it can be treated with hormones. It is usually caused by insufficient secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone by the hypothalamus, or by insufficient secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone by the pituitary gland. Without the stimulation of these hormones, the testicles would be small and no sperm would be produced. Men with this disease often experience enlarged breasts and sometimes lose their sense of smell.
The above conditions may exist before birth, or they may appear after birth. Sometimes they are caused by a rare pituitary gland tumor (pituitary dwarfism), which affects the brain. Pituitary tumors are usually benign and can affect the pituitary gland\’s ability to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. Other causes include damage to the pituitary gland or a negative reaction to the use of anabolic steroids. If the cause is pituitary dwarfism, it can be diagnosed by testing hormone levels in the blood, studying fluoroscopy, or looking for visual defects caused by a tumor in the pituitary gland compressing the optic nerve. Treatment options include removal of the pituitary tumor, radiation therapy, replacement of missing hormones, or a combination of therapies.
Many different genetic abnormalities can cause the hypothalamus to produce insufficient amounts of gonadotropin-releasing hormone. The most common of these rare genetic abnormalities is Kallman syndrome. Kallman syndrome typically presents with symptoms such as a short penis, a diminished sense of smell, and testicles that do not descend into the scrotum. Another symptom is delayed puberty and delayed development of secondary sex characteristics.
If the pituitary gland function is overactive and prolactin is secreted too much, it may lead to excessive hyperthrombin source, which usually causes breast enlargement, inability to erect penis and infertility. Other causes of excessive prolactin secretion include liver disease, thyroid insufficiency, and adverse reactions to tricyclic antidepressants or certain antihypertensive medications.
Men with hyperprolactinemia should undergo magnetic resonance imaging toA possible pituitary gland tumor was detected. These pituitary tumors cause the pituitary gland to secrete too much prolactin, but inhibit the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone and progesterone. The choice of treatment for hyperprolactinemia depends primarily on its cause. If it is caused by thyroid insufficiency, then administration of thyroid hormone can restore normal levels of prolactin and fertility. Although the growth of pituitary tumors does not lead to cancer, larger pituitary tumors should still be removed. Because relatively large pituitary gland tumors not only affect fertility, but also cause headaches and can lead to some types of diabetes. When these tumors compress the optic nerve, they can even cause the patient to lose vision.
If the abnormal prolactin stimulating hormone levels are caused by certain drug treatments, you should stop taking these drugs or replace them with other drugs. Try to choose drugs that have no effect on the pituitary gland. If the pituitary tumor is small and benign, or if the cause of the high prolactin level has not been identified, then bromocriptine should be used for treatment. Side effects of this drug are low blood pressure, nausea, and vomiting. To reduce these risks, take smaller doses of this drug.
This article is provided by Baidu Reading and is excerpted from \”The Clear \”Conception\” Plan\” Author: Sun Jianqiu and Xie Yingbiao