Good morning, I've recently noticed signs of hypogonadism in my body. Most notably loss of libido, erection quality, and possibly slight shrinkage of the testicles. I am a 27 year old male who works out very regularly. I have had not issues with libido until a year ago. Over the last month it reached a point where I knew there was more than a psychological problem. I have taken melatonin (3mg) very frequently over the last 20 months as a sleep aid and am convinced this has caused my hypogonadism. All studies I have read have linked melatonin to GnRH. Melatonin activates a GnRH inhibiting hormone, effectively decreasing your GnRH production leading to less LH/FSH. When boys go through puberty their melatonin production decreases to allow for an increase in the bodies testosterone. In addition, various animal studies linked routine melatonin use to shrinking of bird and rat reproductive organs. My question is: Have you heard of long term melatonin use (3mg) causing hypogonadism. If so, can I expect my pituitary and hypothalamus to balance back out and increase production of GnRH to normal levels now that I've ceased use of melatonin supplements? I'm afraid that the very long time I've taken melatonin decreases my chances of my hormone levels ever returning to normal as I have caused slight testicle atrophy. Thanks so much for your input in this matter. Worry regarding the damage I caused to my bodies delicate hormone balance is beginning to run my life.
Posted by mcgu
Good morning, I've recently noticed signs of hypogonadism in my body. Most notably loss of libido, erection quality, and possibly slight shrinkage of the testicles. I am a 27 year old male who works out very regularly. I have had not issues with libido until a year ago. Over the last month it reached a point where I knew there was more than a psychological problem. I have taken melatonin (3mg) very frequently over the last 20 months as a sleep aid and am convinced this has caused my hypogonadism. All studies I have read have linked melatonin to GnRH. Melatonin activates a GnRH inhibiting hormone, effectively decreasing your GnRH production leading to less LH/FSH. When boys go through puberty their melatonin production decreases to allow for an increase in the bodies testosterone. In addition, various animal studies linked routine melatonin use to shrinking of bird and rat reproductive organs. My question is: Have you heard of long term melatonin use (3mg) causing hypogonadism. If so, can I expect my pituitary and hypothalamus to balance back out and increase production of GnRH to normal levels now that I've ceased use of melatonin supplements? I'm afraid that the very long time I've taken melatonin decreases my chances of my hormone levels ever returning to normal as I have caused slight testicle atrophy. Thanks so much for your input in this matter. Worry regarding the damage I caused to my bodies delicate hormone balance is beginning to run my life.