Mark Jackson, M.D. Urologist

3 E. Appleby Rd Suite 201 • Fayetteville • (479) 404-1100

“Guys at the gym talk about testosterone replacement for energy and drive. I’m young and figured testosterone might be an issue when I get older, but not now. Is that true?” Answer:

It sounds like you feel everyone around you is using something to up their game in the gym. It is estimated that over three million in the United States use anabolic steroids and most are not competitive bodybuilders. Like most drugs, there are side effects to using testosterone replacement and may take quite some time to recover from even after stopping the drug.

If you are at a reproductive age, testosterone can cause suppression of sperm production. Testosterone was even looked at as a possible male oral contraception option in the seventies. Although those studies showed lower sperm counts, the results were too inconsistent to use as a form of contraception. That being said, you could still have a very hard time conceiving a child while on testosterone. Another side effect are small testicles.

Stopping testosterone can help regain fertility but this could take multiple years to do so. At times, additional medical therapies are needed to help jump start the sperm producing cells into action. Fertility is something to consider before starting testosterone therapy. In the meantime, getting good and regular sleep is a great way to naturally boost your testosterone, along with a healthy diet and exercise.