Clomid is old news!
hCG + FSH is where it's at for restoring/maintaining fertility on or off exogenous T!
500IU 3x/week will restore normal ITT.
Protocol is compounded purified preparations of hCG/FSH (3000 IU hCG + 75 IU of FSH) injected subcutaneously 3X/week (M/W/F).
Lipshultz reboot protocol is faster and more effective!
Looking forward the high weekly dose hCG (3000IU 3X weekly) is going to be decreased although some men may need to increase the dose of FSH.
2:38-7:41
How many months do typical guys have to be on this reboot protocol before they might see changes in their sperm concentration?
* we don't start checking until 4 months a full cycle of spermatogenesis, usually we start seeing something by 6 months or between 4 and 8 months and very commonly they are back to normal by 9 months
In the very first episode of Fertility and Other F Words, Dr. Amy Pearlman and Dr. Larry Lipshultz sit down with Christian and Heidi, a dynamic vlogging and entrepreneurial couple who are courageously sharing their ongoing infertility journey. Known for building a life together on and off camera, they open up about the challenges they’ve faced in trying to grow their family while balancing their business and personal lives.
Drs. Amy and Larry ask Christian and Heidi about the highs and lows of their path to parenthood, how infertility has affected their relationship, and what they’ve learned along the way. They also discuss what it’s like to bring such a personal journey into the public eye and how they’ve found strength in community and vulnerability.
Key Takeaways:
* Know your numbers. While semen analyses and testosterone levels don’t tell the full story, they are powerful tools to assess fertility and overall health.
* Men considering testosterone therapy should understand that it can completely wipe out sperm production in some cases.
Before starting therapy, it’s essential to:
* Get baseline labs, including semen analysis and hormone panel.
* Explore sperm cryopreservation options.
* Learn about medications like HCG that can support testicular and sperm function while on therapy.
For women, fertility preservation options like egg freezing should be discussed early with a specialist, especially if waiting to have children. And for couples navigating infertility, both partners—not just the woman—should undergo a full evaluation.
This episode is about more than fertility—it’s about awareness, advocacy, and making informed decisions for your future.
____________________________________________________________________________________
For fitness influencers Christian Guzman and Heidi Summers, building successful businesses came naturally. Guzman transformed his YouTube content into Alphaland, an 18.5-acre fitness complex in Houston, while Summers built Buff Bunny from her living room into a celebrated women's clothing line. But when it came to starting a family, their journey would prove far more challenging than any business venture.
"I did the semen analysis and it came back like zero," Christian recalls. "The conversation was essentially 'You're not going to have kids. We're going to have to take a biopsy.' I just kind of left feeling... what did I do?"
The culprit? Seven years of consistent testosterone use for bodybuilding had completely suppressed his sperm production, a condition called azoospermia.
Traditional treatment protocols require men to stop testosterone therapy before attempting to restore fertility using medications like Clomid, which can take years and often leaves patients feeling unwell. But Dr. Lipshultz's groundbreaking research showed a different path was possible.
"My thought was why not just give them FSH and LH in the form of hCG and even why not look at allowing them to stay on testosterone," Dr. Lipshultz explains. His study of 77 men revealed that 75% of participants successfully restored sperm production whether they stayed on testosterone or not, with results appearing in months rather than years.
For Christian, this meant a regimen of 3,000 units of hCG three times weekly plus 75 units of FSH three times weekly, while continuing his testosterone therapy. Nine months later, his sperm count had returned to normal levels.
"I think I went in there with such confidence like I already got checked out so everything's going to be fine," Heidi reflects. "When she was like 'we only have one egg' and I was like 'what does that mean?' And she's like 'well you should have 8 to 14.'"
The diagnosis represented a complete reversal from her earlier evaluation just a few years prior, highlighting how fertility can change rapidly and how initial assessments may miss critical details.
"Every little thing feels like a massive thing," Heidi describes. "And that's coming from... we're both CEOs. We deal with a lot. We put out fires. We manage a lot. And it's like one little needle holds so much weight."
The experience opened their eyes to the hidden struggles many couples face. After sharing their story publicly, they were overwhelmed by responses from others going through similar challenges.
"My biggest thing would just be to any guy... when you start thinking about you're getting close to wanting to have kids, check your sperm. Find out your baseline," Christian advises.
For women, the message centers on asking detailed questions during routine gynecological visits rather than accepting general reassurances about fertility.
"I wish I would have asked, 'What does it mean to be fertile? What does it mean to be fertile and are my numbers normal for all of those check marks?'" Heidi reflects.
The case also highlights the need for better fertility education across healthcare providers. Despite fertility being a primary reproductive concern, many general practitioners lack the specialized knowledge to provide comprehensive counseling about reproductive health optimization.
Their story underscores several critical lessons: fertility can affect anyone regardless of health status, early testing provides valuable baseline information, second opinions can be life-changing, and persistence in the face of setbacks remains essential.
Most importantly, their experience demonstrates that infertility, while challenging, doesn't have to be faced in silence. By opening up about their journey, they're helping to normalize conversations about reproductive health and encouraging others to advocate for their fertility.
For couples facing similar challenges, the message is clear: seek specialized care early, ask detailed questions, and remember that multiple treatment options often exist even when initial prognoses seem dire. As Dr. Lipshultz notes, "There's always a path forward."
This article is based on an episode of "Fertility and Other F-Words," a podcast hosted by Dr. Amy Pearlman and Dr. Larry Lipshultz that addresses fertility, sexual health, and reproductive wellness topics.
hCG + FSH is where it's at for restoring/maintaining fertility on or off exogenous T!
500IU 3x/week will restore normal ITT.
Protocol is compounded purified preparations of hCG/FSH (3000 IU hCG + 75 IU of FSH) injected subcutaneously 3X/week (M/W/F).
Lipshultz reboot protocol is faster and more effective!
Looking forward the high weekly dose hCG (3000IU 3X weekly) is going to be decreased although some men may need to increase the dose of FSH.
2:38-7:41
How many months do typical guys have to be on this reboot protocol before they might see changes in their sperm concentration?
* we don't start checking until 4 months a full cycle of spermatogenesis, usually we start seeing something by 6 months or between 4 and 8 months and very commonly they are back to normal by 9 months
In the very first episode of Fertility and Other F Words, Dr. Amy Pearlman and Dr. Larry Lipshultz sit down with Christian and Heidi, a dynamic vlogging and entrepreneurial couple who are courageously sharing their ongoing infertility journey. Known for building a life together on and off camera, they open up about the challenges they’ve faced in trying to grow their family while balancing their business and personal lives.
Drs. Amy and Larry ask Christian and Heidi about the highs and lows of their path to parenthood, how infertility has affected their relationship, and what they’ve learned along the way. They also discuss what it’s like to bring such a personal journey into the public eye and how they’ve found strength in community and vulnerability.
Key Takeaways:
* Know your numbers. While semen analyses and testosterone levels don’t tell the full story, they are powerful tools to assess fertility and overall health.
* Men considering testosterone therapy should understand that it can completely wipe out sperm production in some cases.
Before starting therapy, it’s essential to:
* Get baseline labs, including semen analysis and hormone panel.
* Explore sperm cryopreservation options.
* Learn about medications like HCG that can support testicular and sperm function while on therapy.
For women, fertility preservation options like egg freezing should be discussed early with a specialist, especially if waiting to have children. And for couples navigating infertility, both partners—not just the woman—should undergo a full evaluation.
This episode is about more than fertility—it’s about awareness, advocacy, and making informed decisions for your future.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Navigating Male Infertility: Breaking the Silence on Testosterone and Fertility
A conversation with fitness influencers Christian Guzman and Heidi Summers reveals the hidden fertility challenges facing couples todayFor fitness influencers Christian Guzman and Heidi Summers, building successful businesses came naturally. Guzman transformed his YouTube content into Alphaland, an 18.5-acre fitness complex in Houston, while Summers built Buff Bunny from her living room into a celebrated women's clothing line. But when it came to starting a family, their journey would prove far more challenging than any business venture.
The Unexpected Discovery
After trying to conceive for over a year, the couple decided to seek medical evaluation. Initially, Heidi received reassuring news from her gynecologist: "You're good. You can have a child." But when Christian went for his own testing, the results were devastating."I did the semen analysis and it came back like zero," Christian recalls. "The conversation was essentially 'You're not going to have kids. We're going to have to take a biopsy.' I just kind of left feeling... what did I do?"
The culprit? Seven years of consistent testosterone use for bodybuilding had completely suppressed his sperm production, a condition called azoospermia.
A Revolutionary Approach
Rather than accepting the grim prognosis, Christian sought a second opinion from Dr. Larry Lipshultz, a specialist in men's health and fertility at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Lipshultz's approach challenged conventional medical wisdom.Traditional treatment protocols require men to stop testosterone therapy before attempting to restore fertility using medications like Clomid, which can take years and often leaves patients feeling unwell. But Dr. Lipshultz's groundbreaking research showed a different path was possible.
"My thought was why not just give them FSH and LH in the form of hCG and even why not look at allowing them to stay on testosterone," Dr. Lipshultz explains. His study of 77 men revealed that 75% of participants successfully restored sperm production whether they stayed on testosterone or not, with results appearing in months rather than years.
For Christian, this meant a regimen of 3,000 units of hCG three times weekly plus 75 units of FSH three times weekly, while continuing his testosterone therapy. Nine months later, his sperm count had returned to normal levels.
The Plot Twist
Just as the couple celebrated Christian's recovery, a new challenge emerged. Despite his restored fertility, Heidi wasn't becoming pregnant. A visit to a fertility specialist revealed shocking news: she had diminished ovarian reserve, with only one viable egg detected during ultrasound examination."I think I went in there with such confidence like I already got checked out so everything's going to be fine," Heidi reflects. "When she was like 'we only have one egg' and I was like 'what does that mean?' And she's like 'well you should have 8 to 14.'"
The diagnosis represented a complete reversal from her earlier evaluation just a few years prior, highlighting how fertility can change rapidly and how initial assessments may miss critical details.
The IVF Journey
The couple embarked on in vitro fertilization (IVF), a process that proved emotionally and physically demanding. Despite retrieving healthy-appearing eggs in both cycles, neither resulted in viable embryos for transfer."Every little thing feels like a massive thing," Heidi describes. "And that's coming from... we're both CEOs. We deal with a lot. We put out fires. We manage a lot. And it's like one little needle holds so much weight."
The experience opened their eyes to the hidden struggles many couples face. After sharing their story publicly, they were overwhelmed by responses from others going through similar challenges.
Breaking the Silence
Both Christian and Heidi emphasize the importance of early testing and advocacy. For men, particularly those using testosterone or anabolic steroids, baseline sperm analysis should be routine."My biggest thing would just be to any guy... when you start thinking about you're getting close to wanting to have kids, check your sperm. Find out your baseline," Christian advises.
For women, the message centers on asking detailed questions during routine gynecological visits rather than accepting general reassurances about fertility.
"I wish I would have asked, 'What does it mean to be fertile? What does it mean to be fertile and are my numbers normal for all of those check marks?'" Heidi reflects.
The Broader Implications
Dr. Lipshultz's research represents a paradigm shift in treating male infertility related to testosterone use. By demonstrating that men can maintain testosterone therapy while restoring fertility, the findings offer hope to the growing number of men using testosterone replacement therapy.The case also highlights the need for better fertility education across healthcare providers. Despite fertility being a primary reproductive concern, many general practitioners lack the specialized knowledge to provide comprehensive counseling about reproductive health optimization.
Looking Forward
As Christian and Heidi prepare for their third IVF cycle with a new specialist, their journey continues to evolve. Their willingness to share their struggles publicly serves as both education and encouragement for others facing similar challenges.Their story underscores several critical lessons: fertility can affect anyone regardless of health status, early testing provides valuable baseline information, second opinions can be life-changing, and persistence in the face of setbacks remains essential.
Most importantly, their experience demonstrates that infertility, while challenging, doesn't have to be faced in silence. By opening up about their journey, they're helping to normalize conversations about reproductive health and encouraging others to advocate for their fertility.
For couples facing similar challenges, the message is clear: seek specialized care early, ask detailed questions, and remember that multiple treatment options often exist even when initial prognoses seem dire. As Dr. Lipshultz notes, "There's always a path forward."
This article is based on an episode of "Fertility and Other F-Words," a podcast hosted by Dr. Amy Pearlman and Dr. Larry Lipshultz that addresses fertility, sexual health, and reproductive wellness topics.
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