sterility and steroids... any info appreciated

**bansheeman** · 02-19-2014, 07:27 PM

I was reading an article about sterility brought on by steroid use . This article focused primarily upon the 16-21 year old group that were still developing. What about men in their 40s-50s? Is this a case of, "YEA if you did this, didn't do that etc. you're sterile." Can somebody give me some info about the subject? Thanks

**austinite** · 02-19-2014, 07:43 PM

No..

**MuscleInk** · 02-19-2014, 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by bansheeman

I was reading an article about sterility brought on by steroid use. This article focused primarily upon the 16-21 year old group that were still developing. What about men in their 40s-50s? Is this a case of, "YEA if you did this, didn't do that etc. you're sterile." Can somebody give me some info about the subject? Thanks

Great question!

Any exogenous testosterone (TRT or anabolic use) will suppress intratesticular testosterone production which in turn often leads to azoospermia and in some cases, severe oligozoospermia. HCG (used during cycles) and SERMs (used post cycle) - clomiphene citrate in particular - can provide rescue and restorative effects on testicular function, spermatogenesis, and sperm motility. Unlike SERMs, aromatase inhibitors may actually impair normal testicular function and thus, are NOT recommended during PCT when restarting intratesticular function is the desired clinical outcome. It is believed HGH may offer some benefits as well but clinical data are as yet incomplete.

There are many mechanisms by which sperm integrity or fertility may be compromised by exogenous testosterone including increased apoptosis, protamine deficiencies, and abnormal chromatin maturation. The likelihood of these impairments increase with length of cycles, frequency of anabolic use, age, diet, and exercise.

Having said this, many men who use anabolics or receive TRT remain fertile. The key is moderation, responsible use, and when indicated, use of HCG and clomid to aid in restarting intratesticular function.

**MuscleInk** · 02-19-2014, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by austinite

No..

^^^There's the condensed answer.

**austinite** · 02-19-2014, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by MuscleInk

^^^There's the condensed answer.

lmao. I knew you were coming through. I'm tired

**MuscleInk** · 02-19-2014, 08:43 PM

Originally Posted by austinite

lmao. I knew you were coming through. I'm tired

The question had medical undertones. I couldn't resist.

**Shadow530i** · 02-19-2014, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by MuscleInk

Great question!

Any exogenous testosterone (TRT or anabolic use) will suppress intratesticular testosterone production which in turn often leads to azoospermia and in some cases, severe oligozoospermia. HCG (used during cycles) and SERMs (used post cycle) - clomiphene citrate in particular - can provide rescue and restorative effects on testicular function, spermatogenesis, and sperm motility. Unlike SERMs, aromatase inhibitors may actually impair normal testicular function and thus, are NOT recommended during PCT when restarting intratesticular function is the desired clinical outcome. It is believed HGH may offer some benefits as well but clinical data are as yet incomplete.

There are many mechanisms by which sperm integrity or fertility may be compromised by exogenous testosterone including increased apoptosis, protamine deficiencies, and abnormal chromatin maturation. The likelihood of these impairments increase with length of cycles, frequency of anabolic use, age, diet, and exercise.

Having said this, many men who use anabolics or receive TRT remain fertile. The key is moderation, responsible use, and when indicated, use of HCG and clomid to aid in restarting intratesticular function.

So if I'm on TRT and I blast for a long cycle I'm increasing my risk of A. Being infertile, and/or B. Having sperm that causes birth defects?

Did I read that right? I'm on TRT and I normal do one long cycle per year....so this is pretty important to me.

**MuscleInk** · 02-19-2014, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by Shadow530i

So if I'm on TRT and I blast for a long cycle I'm increasing my risk of A. Being infertile, and/or B. Having sperm that causes birth defects?

Did I read that right? I'm on TRT and I normal do one long cycle per year....so this is pretty important to me.

Yes, the longer you blast, sperm motility and integrity will decrease. You also increase the risk of programmed cell death (apoptosis) and chromatin abnormalities, meaning fewer viable sperm.

To your question of embryonic survival or developmental progress (birth defects), the answer isn't so clear. Among the very sporadic studies I am familiar with, exogenous testosterone (TRT or anabolic cycles) does not appear to effect embryonic survival but may delay developmental progress. For obvious reasons, controlled studies cannot be performed.

What's important to consider is that longer or more frequent cycles will impact sperm integrity, motility, and morbidity, potential reducing fertility. This does not appear to translate to birth defects (chromatin abnormalities in sperm often result in apoptosis of the sperm themselves). If your goal is to have children, I would caution the use of long and frequent cycles and certainly follow proper guidelines for HCG use and proper PCT.

Many men here have cycled or are on TRT and have successfully had healthy children.

**Euroholic** · 02-19-2014, 09:27 PM

Froze my sperm at 19. But i doubt ill ever unfreeze them

**Shadow530i** · 02-19-2014, 09:40 PM

Originally Posted by MuscleInk

Yes, the longer you blast, sperm motility and integrity will decrease. You also increase the risk of programmed cell death (apoptosis) and chromatin abnormalities, meaning fewer viable sperm.

To your question of embryonic survival or developmental progress (birth defects), the answer isn't so clear. Among the very sporadic studies I am familiar with, exogenous testosterone (TRT or anabolic cycles) does not appear to effect embryonic survival but may delay developmental progress. For obvious reasons, controlled studies cannot be performed.

What's important to consider is that longer or more frequent cycles will impact sperm integrity, motility, and morbidity, potential reducing fertility. This does not appear to translate to birth defects (chromatin abnormalities in sperm often result in apoptosis of the sperm themselves). If your goal is to have children, I would caution the use of long and frequent cycles and certainly follow proper guidelines for HCG use and proper PCT.

Many men here have cycled or are on TRT and have successfully had healthy children.

Awesome answer. Thank you so much for the insight.

**MuscleInk** · 02-19-2014, 11:04 PM

Originally Posted by Shadow530i

Awesome answer. Thank you so much for the insight.

You are very welcome!

**Freak52X** · 02-21-2014, 12:53 AM

Will it cause a person the age of 19-21 to become sterile? Even if he uses all proper estrogen blockers during cycle and when it comes to PCT he uses maybe a natural test booster to restart his natural production? Along with other PCT supps.

**clarkey02** · 02-21-2014, 01:12 AM

Originally Posted by Freak52X

Will it cause a person the age of 19-21 to become sterile? Even if he uses all proper estrogen blockers during cycle and when it comes to PCT he uses maybe a natural test booster to restart his natural production? Along with other PCT supps.

Why risk it? You have your entire life to experiment with AAS. Plus, at that age you haven't established a proper base, or even scratched the surface of your genetic potential. AAS is best when used to enhance years of dedication to training and nutrition. No way of knowing how anyone will ever recover from shut down. The younger the age, the greater the risk and more potential for long term damage.

That being said, if you want to ask a question, be a gentleman and start your own thread.

**MuscleInk** · 02-21-2014, 01:15 AM

Originally Posted by Freak52X

Will it cause a person the age of 19-21 to become sterile? Even if he uses all proper estrogen blockers during cycle and when it comes to PCT he uses maybe a natural test booster to restart his natural production? Along with other PCT supps.

As mentioned above, any exogenous testosterone (TRT or anabolic use) will suppress your HTPA, LH, FSH and intratesticular testosterone production.

There are no guarantees once you suppress your HTPA. Some young men recover, some don't, and its impossible to predict who will and who will not. Some men run proper, conservative cycles and their HTPA remains suppressed after their HTPA. They struggle with erectile dysfunction, loss of libido, depression, anxiety, and as long as their testosterone remains low, there is also a chance sperm motility and number will be less than optimal.

Using AIs, HCG , and SERMs at the correct time during each cycle will improve your odds but once you start changing the normal hormonal cycles with anabolics, there is always a risk of persisting problems.