Men are taking shortcuts with a drug that ‘kills your sperm’ — and can cause acne and breast growth, warns doc - New York Post

What the report says

The New York Post reported that some U.S. men using testosterone replacement therapy, or TRT, may be undermining fertility goals if they take the drug without adequate medical guidance. The article cites Dr. Justin Dubin, a urologist and director of men’s sexual health at Herbert Wertheim Cancer Institute, who warned that men who want children should avoid testosterone because it can sharply reduce sperm production. The Post said as many as 11 million men in the United States use TRT, with access increasingly available through online prescribing.

According to the report, TRT is commonly used by men with low testosterone to address issues such as low libido, erectile dysfunction, fatigue and age-related hormone decline, while some younger users pursue muscle gains. Dubin explained that added testosterone can signal the body to reduce its own hormone production, which can cause sperm production to fall or stop within months. The article said recovery after stopping TRT may take months to as long as two years, and is not assured for every patient.

The Post also cited Dr. Alexander Pastuszak, a urologist and CEO of Paterna Biosciences, who said testicular shrinkage can occur after sustained use. Other risks described in the report include acne, elevated red blood cell production that may strain the cardiovascular system, and breast tissue growth when excess testosterone is converted into estrogen. The article said testosterone does not cause prostate cancer, but may worsen an existing tumor, making screening important.

The report’s broader warning is that TRT should be medically supervised, including bloodwork and evaluation every three to six months. Dubin said low testosterone can be linked to sleep, weight, diabetes, cancer or other chronic conditions, and mentioned alternatives such as clomiphene, enclomiphene and hCG for some men seeking to preserve fertility.