Male Reproductive Health Problems

As with women, hormones are essential to reproductive health in all aspects of a man’s sexual life. An area of the brain called the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain, work together to release hormones— luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) —that stimulate the testes to produce testosterone and sperm.  Testosterone is responsible for the typical male characteristics and helps maintain sex drive; sperm production; facial, pubic, and body hair; muscle; and bone.

In men, important health issues related to hormonal imbalances or deficiencies include:

• Male Hypogonadism—lower than normal levels of testosterone (the main male sex hormone)
• Male Infertility—inability to produce sperm adequate for reproduction
• Sexual dysfunction
• • Erectile Dysfunction—inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse
  • Decreased Libido—reduced sexual desire or interest

These conditions are often, but not always, related to each other.