A well-toned physique is attractive, but if you’re taking “special substances” to get those washboard abs, you might be compromising your fertility.
We’ve all heard that testosterone and other steroids can mess up your body—and fertility—with long-term risks like plummeting sperm counts, shrunken testicles, and even tumors. But some over-the-counter nutritional supplements that aim to build muscles also contain compounds that can be converted to testosterone in the body . . . meaning lowered sperm count. Paul Turek, M.D., professor of urology at the University of California, San Francisco, points out that extra testosterone can make the body shut down on its own hormone production, sperm included.
Men taking these supplements should stop immediately because long-term use—five years or more—can leave permanent damage. Fortunately, sperm should start to bounce back after three months to a year. “At some point that is probably different from individual to individual. There may be a point of no return regarding recovery of fertility,” says Dr. Turek.
What’s more important—perfect pecs . . . or a new son or daughter?
Summer 2008
