There are actually an increasing number of cases where fertile parameters are taking much longer to recover. The literature once cited 6 months as the average time to recovery; unfortunately, this was a number during times of severe underreporting.
if we look at the parameters on a biochemical level; here's a case of deca being used and a year-long recovery process:
J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2011 Aug 22. [Epub ahead of print]
[h=1]Long term perturbation of endocrine parameters and cholesterol metabolism after discontinued abuse of anabolic androgenic steroids.[/h]
Gårevik N,
Strahm E,
Garle M,
Lundmark J,
Ståhle L,
Ekström L,
Rane A.
[h=3]Source[/h]Karolinska Institutet, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden.
[h=3]Abstract[/h][h=4]AIMS:[/h]To study the long-term impact of anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) abuse on the cholesterol profile, and the potential to suppress endocrine activity in men working out at gym facilities. To study the relation between urinary biomarkers for testosterone and nandrolone abuse and the UGT2B17 genotype and time profile.
[h=4]EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN:[/h]Subjects (N=56) were recruited through Anti-Doping Hot-Line. Serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), plasma levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and urinary steroid profile were regularly measured for a period of up to one year after cessation of intramuscular AAS abuse.
[h=4]RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:[/h]A sustained suppression of LH, and FSH was observed for several months. The nandrolone urinary biomarker 19-NA was detectable several months after the last nandrolone intake and was correlated to the levels of LH and FSH. Testosterone abuse on the other hand was detectable only for a few weeks, and some of the testosterone abusers did not test positive due to a genetic deletion polymorphism of the UGT2B17. Significantly increased levels of HDL and decreased levels of LDL were observed for 6-months after cessation of AAS abuse.
[h=4]CONCLUSION:[/h]Some individuals had a sustained suppression of LH and FSH for a period of 1 year whereas the cholesterol profile was normalized within 6 month. The long term consequences of these findings remain to be established.
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Here's a case report (uncertain if everyone has access) which took 3 years until recovery:
Fertil Steril. 2011 Jul;96(1):e7-8. Epub 2011 May 14.
[h=1]Persistent primary hypogonadism associated with anabolic steroid abuse.[/h]
Boregowda K,
Joels L,
Stephens JW,
Price DE.
[h=3]Source[/h]Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Morriston Hospital, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board, Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom.
[email protected]
[h=3]Abstract[/h][h=4]OBJECTIVE:[/h]To report a case of primary gonadal failure due to the chronic abuse of anabolic steroids used for bodybuilding.
[h=4]DESIGN:[/h]Case report.
[h=4]SETTING:[/h]Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Morriston Hospital, Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom.
[h=4]PATIENT(S):[/h]A 40-year-old man.
[h=4]INTERVENTION(S):[/h]None.
[h=4]MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S):[/h]Clinical symptoms, levels of serum T, FSH, and LH.
[h=4]RESULT(S):[/h]Primary gonadal failure resulting from anabolic steroid use.
[h=4]CONCLUSION(S):[/h]We describe a case of initially secondary gonadal failure resulting from anabolic steroid use with subsequent primary gonadal failure and infertility. This case adds to the current literature and illustrates that the side effects of anabolic steroids can be prolonged and irreversible.
Copyright © 2011 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
PMID:21575947[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
This case was also covered on ergo-log for those who don't get access to the journal to read their interpretation:
http://ergo-log.com/hormonesstilloffbalance.html
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Then, of course, there's this scariness...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2360778/
Guy treated with hCG; regained control of HPGA, but when injections stopped...his T levels (and you can likely assume spermatogenic parameters) plummeted even to lower levels than in the peri-cycle period.
* It's a scant literature unfortunately, so our understanding may always be incomplete at best...but we cannot make assumptions of how everyone will respond. It's just not true.
D_
way too early haha.
