Growth hormone appears to support male reproductive health, but extra HGH has not been shown to improve sperm quality. Men with growth hormone deficiency showed mildly lower sperm measures in one controlled study, while small trials of pharmaceutical HGH as a fertility treatment have been mixed.
Sperm Measures in Men With Growth Hormone Deficiency
A controlled study of 26 young men with growth hormone deficiency and 25 healthy peers found lower semen volume, total sperm count, and sperm motility in the deficiency group, along with smaller testicles. Sperm concentration and normal shape did not differ, and blood levels of LH, FSH, and testosterone were similar. The authors described the impairment as mild. All of the men with deficiency had received pharmaceutical HGH in childhood. The authors concluded that a healthy growth hormone axis before puberty appears important for normal testicular function in adulthood.
What Trials of Pharmaceutical HGH Found
In a pilot study of 12 men with severe idiopathic low sperm counts and otherwise normal hormone tests, five months of daily HGH injections neither raised nor lowered sperm counts compared with nine untreated men. Another small study, described in an Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism review, reported increased sperm motility after 12 weeks of treatment in nine men with low counts and nine with poor motility, with three pregnancies among the men with poor motility. A review describes an open-label study of 14 men with improved semen volume, count, and motility, though it had no randomized comparison group. A review of hormone treatments says HGH may favorably affect motility in some men but needs further investigation, and that the literature lacks rigorous data.
Fertility Has Many Contributors
Male infertility has many causes, including endocrine problems. A prospective study of 214 men undergoing infertility evaluation found low testosterone associated with more sperm DNA damage. Growth hormone is one part of a wider hormone network that includes testosterone and pituitary signals. Growth hormone and IGF-1 receptors are found on testicular Leydig and Sertoli cells, according to a trial in healthy men, which is why researchers suspect a role in sperm production.
What This Means for You
Sperm count, motility, and pregnancy are different outcomes, and small pilot studies without placebo groups cannot confirm that a treatment works.
How HGH Releasers Differ From Prescription HGH
Every study described here involved pharmaceutical HGH or men with diagnosed conditions. Prescription HGH is an injectable medicine that doctors prescribe for specific medical conditions. HGH releasers are a separate category: over-the-counter dietary supplements formulated with ingredients, such as amino acids and other nutrients, intended to support your pituitary gland’s own release of HGH. The two are different products and are studied separately. Like other dietary supplements, HGH releasers are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition.
Where HGH Releasers Fit Into a Healthy Routine
Men who take a releaser typically do so as one part of a routine that includes training, nutrition, and rest. If you are concerned about fertility, talking with your doctor comes first.
Frequently Asked Questions About HGH and Fertility
Are HGH Releasers the Same as Prescription HGH?
No. Prescription HGH is an injectable medicine used for specific medical conditions. HGH releasers are over-the-counter dietary supplements formulated to support the body’s own natural growth hormone release.
Does Low HGH Reduce Sperm Count?
In one controlled study, young men with growth hormone deficiency had lower total sperm counts and motility than healthy peers. Sperm concentration did not differ, and the differences were described as mild.
Should I Talk to My Doctor Before Trying an HGH Releaser?
Checking with your doctor is a smart step, especially if you take medication or have a health condition. Your doctor can help you decide whether a supplement fits your situation.
