Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIt Does Not Affect T LevelsEffect on Sperm & HormonesEffect on StrengthWhat Decreases Testosterone?TreatmentsControlling Hormone Health
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
It Does Not Affect T Levels
Effect on Sperm & Hormones
Effect on Strength
What Decreases Testosterone?
Treatments
Controlling Hormone Health
There are a lot of myths surrounding masturbation—that it causes blindness, hairy palms, oracne—many long debunked. A myth that has gained traction lately is that men who masturbate experience lower levels oftestosterone(“T”).
As a result, some believe that those who masturbate are weaker, have less energy, and have lower sperm count.However, research on the topic shows that masturbation doesn’t have a long-term effect on testosterone.
This article debunks some myths about masturbation decreasing testosterone and discusses factors that do lower your T levels. It also covers what you can do to boost your testosterone.
merteren / Getty Images
Sex and Gender TerminologyThere are many different terms that people use to describe their sexual andgender identities, and the language continues to develop. This article uses “male” or “men” to refer to people assigned male at birth and “female” or “women” to refer to those assigned female at birth.
Sex and Gender Terminology
There are many different terms that people use to describe their sexual andgender identities, and the language continues to develop. This article uses “male” or “men” to refer to people assigned male at birth and “female” or “women” to refer to those assigned female at birth.
Masturbation Does Not Decrease T Levels
While more research is needed on the exact relationship between masturbation and other forms of sexual activity and testosterone levels, there’s already a wealth of evidence that there are no long-term effects. In a study of hormonal response to masturbation in young men (average age 27), researchers found no long-term reductions in testosterone concentrations.
The same study did find a short-term rise in T levels following orgasm. More research is needed, but generally, there aren’t many risks to masturbating.
While there are links between testosterone levels and sexual desire, sexual activity or masturbation won’t affect T levels or desire over the long run.
Masturbation and Female Testosterone LevelsWhile testosterone is the primary sexual hormone in males, females also produce it. Researchers have found a link between higher testosterone levels in postmenopausal women with increased sex drive and more frequent masturbation or sexual activity.Here, too, long-term effects of orgasm or masturbation do not affect T levels.
Masturbation and Female Testosterone Levels
While testosterone is the primary sexual hormone in males, females also produce it. Researchers have found a link between higher testosterone levels in postmenopausal women with increased sex drive and more frequent masturbation or sexual activity.Here, too, long-term effects of orgasm or masturbation do not affect T levels.
While testosterone is the primary sexual hormone in males, females also produce it. Researchers have found a link between higher testosterone levels in postmenopausal women with increased sex drive and more frequent masturbation or sexual activity.
Here, too, long-term effects of orgasm or masturbation do not affect T levels.
Effect of Masturbation on Sperm and Hormones
In the research, the relationship betweensperm levelsand activity and frequency of masturbation or orgasm is complex. There is some evidence that refraining for three days improves the chances of pregnancy, and abstinence for up to 10 days can raise sperm count. But other studies haven’t found this effect.
Conversely, they found no impact on other measures of sperm health—like how well they move and survive.
Masturbation orsexual orgasmalso affects other hormones in your body. During arousal and sex, your brain releasesdopamine,endorphins,oxytocin, andprolactin. These hormones are involved in the feelings of relaxation, human connection, and euphoria after orgasm. Dopamine and oxytocin levels dip temporarily after orgasm, but this doesn’t influence overall levels.
Is Masturbation Addiction Possible?
Effect of Masturbation on Muscular Strength
Another common myth about masturbation is that it makes you weaker and can undermine muscle strength training. This isn’t the case. In a literature review studying the effect of sexual activity on athletic performance, the authors concluded sexual activity between 30 minutes to 24 hours before competition did not affect overall performance, strength, or power.
Some researchers even suggest the opposite is true. In one small study, levels of free testosterone—which is involved in muscle development—were higher after masturbating. While more research is needed, the authors noted that sexual activity before strength training may help boost results.
Testosterone levels fluctuate throughout your lifetime, and starting in your 30s or 40s, your body’s production of this hormone naturally declines. In addition, a range of conditions and factors can affect how much T you have and lead tohypogonadism(little to no production of sex hormones). These include:
Symptoms of Low TestosteroneLow testosterone doesn’t always cause symptoms, and some may have it without knowing. Common signs of hypogonadism that may arise include:Reduced libido (sex drive)Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erectionLow sperm countInsomnia(inability to fall or stay asleep) or other sleep disordersLoss of muscle mass or toneLoss of bone massHigher body fat contentDepressionDifficulty concentrating
Symptoms of Low Testosterone
Low testosterone doesn’t always cause symptoms, and some may have it without knowing. Common signs of hypogonadism that may arise include:Reduced libido (sex drive)Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erectionLow sperm countInsomnia(inability to fall or stay asleep) or other sleep disordersLoss of muscle mass or toneLoss of bone massHigher body fat contentDepressionDifficulty concentrating
Low testosterone doesn’t always cause symptoms, and some may have it without knowing. Common signs of hypogonadism that may arise include:
Diet and Testosterone
There are also many claims out there about the influence of what you eat on testosterone levels. While soy, as some believe, doesn’t affect your T, specific dietary patterns may. Researchers found diets high in sugars, wheat or bread, dairy products, or processed or prepared foods—and low in leafy green vegetables (such as Romaine lettuce and kale) and home-cooked meals—were associated with lower levels.
Treatments to Increase Testosterone
Low testosterone can have an impact on your health. Your healthcare provider may recommendtestosterone replacement therapyto boost fertility, restore sexual function, and treat bone diseases (such as osteoporosis), among other applications.
This therapy can take several forms, including:
Taking Control of Your Hormonal Health
Adopting certain lifestyle habits can also go a long way in controlling and keeping your T levels healthy. Any healthy habit will be good for your testosterone production and management. As such, healthcare providers often recommend the following:
Summary
A healthcare provider may recommend testosterone replacement therapy and healthy lifestyle changes, helping to boost levels in those experiencing low T symptoms.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mascherek A, Reidick MC, Gallinat J, Kühn S.Is ejaculation frequency in men related to general and mental health? Looking back and looking forward.Front Psychol. 2021;12:693121. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.693121Isenmann E, Schumann M, Notbohm HL, Flenker U, Zimmer P.Hormonal response after masturbation in young healthy men: a randomized controlled cross-over pilot study.Basic Clin Androl. 2021;31(1):32. doi:10.1186/s12610-021-00148-2Parish SJ, Simon JA, Davis SR, et al.International society for the study of women’s sexual health clinical practice guideline for the use of systemic testosterone for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women.J Womens Health. 2021;30(4):474-491. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.10.009Zavorsky GS, Brooks RA.The influence of sexual activity on athletic performance: a systematic review and meta-analyses.Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):15609. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-19882-2MedlinePlus.Could you have low testosterone?.Al Hayek AA, Robert AA, Alshammari G, Hakami H, Al Dawish MA.Assessment of hypogonadism in men with type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study from Saudi Arabia[published correction appears in Clin Med Insights Endocrinol Diabetes. 2017 Oct 10;10 :1179551417722086].Clin Med Insights Endocrinol Diabetes. 2017;10:1179551417710209. doi:10.1177/1179551417710209Wittert G.The relationship between sleep disorders and testosterone in men.Asian J Androl. 2014;16(2):262-265. doi:10.4103/1008-682X.122586Krzastek SC, Smith RP.Non-testosterone management of male hypogonadism: an examination of the existing literature.Transl Androl Urol. 2020;9(Suppl 2):S160-S170. doi:10.21037/tau.2019.11.16Kumar P, Kumar N, Thakur DS, Patidar A.Male hypogonadism: symptoms and treatment.J Adv Pharm Technol Res. 2010;1(3):297-301. doi:10.4103/0110-5558.72420NIH National Library of Medicine.DailyMed - Jatenzo - testosterone undecanoate capsule, liquid filled.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mascherek A, Reidick MC, Gallinat J, Kühn S.Is ejaculation frequency in men related to general and mental health? Looking back and looking forward.Front Psychol. 2021;12:693121. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.693121Isenmann E, Schumann M, Notbohm HL, Flenker U, Zimmer P.Hormonal response after masturbation in young healthy men: a randomized controlled cross-over pilot study.Basic Clin Androl. 2021;31(1):32. doi:10.1186/s12610-021-00148-2Parish SJ, Simon JA, Davis SR, et al.International society for the study of women’s sexual health clinical practice guideline for the use of systemic testosterone for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women.J Womens Health. 2021;30(4):474-491. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.10.009Zavorsky GS, Brooks RA.The influence of sexual activity on athletic performance: a systematic review and meta-analyses.Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):15609. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-19882-2MedlinePlus.Could you have low testosterone?.Al Hayek AA, Robert AA, Alshammari G, Hakami H, Al Dawish MA.Assessment of hypogonadism in men with type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study from Saudi Arabia[published correction appears in Clin Med Insights Endocrinol Diabetes. 2017 Oct 10;10 :1179551417722086].Clin Med Insights Endocrinol Diabetes. 2017;10:1179551417710209. doi:10.1177/1179551417710209Wittert G.The relationship between sleep disorders and testosterone in men.Asian J Androl. 2014;16(2):262-265. doi:10.4103/1008-682X.122586Krzastek SC, Smith RP.Non-testosterone management of male hypogonadism: an examination of the existing literature.Transl Androl Urol. 2020;9(Suppl 2):S160-S170. doi:10.21037/tau.2019.11.16Kumar P, Kumar N, Thakur DS, Patidar A.Male hypogonadism: symptoms and treatment.J Adv Pharm Technol Res. 2010;1(3):297-301. doi:10.4103/0110-5558.72420NIH National Library of Medicine.DailyMed - Jatenzo - testosterone undecanoate capsule, liquid filled.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Mascherek A, Reidick MC, Gallinat J, Kühn S.Is ejaculation frequency in men related to general and mental health? Looking back and looking forward.Front Psychol. 2021;12:693121. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.693121Isenmann E, Schumann M, Notbohm HL, Flenker U, Zimmer P.Hormonal response after masturbation in young healthy men: a randomized controlled cross-over pilot study.Basic Clin Androl. 2021;31(1):32. doi:10.1186/s12610-021-00148-2Parish SJ, Simon JA, Davis SR, et al.International society for the study of women’s sexual health clinical practice guideline for the use of systemic testosterone for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women.J Womens Health. 2021;30(4):474-491. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.10.009Zavorsky GS, Brooks RA.The influence of sexual activity on athletic performance: a systematic review and meta-analyses.Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):15609. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-19882-2MedlinePlus.Could you have low testosterone?.Al Hayek AA, Robert AA, Alshammari G, Hakami H, Al Dawish MA.Assessment of hypogonadism in men with type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study from Saudi Arabia[published correction appears in Clin Med Insights Endocrinol Diabetes. 2017 Oct 10;10 :1179551417722086].Clin Med Insights Endocrinol Diabetes. 2017;10:1179551417710209. doi:10.1177/1179551417710209Wittert G.The relationship between sleep disorders and testosterone in men.Asian J Androl. 2014;16(2):262-265. doi:10.4103/1008-682X.122586Krzastek SC, Smith RP.Non-testosterone management of male hypogonadism: an examination of the existing literature.Transl Androl Urol. 2020;9(Suppl 2):S160-S170. doi:10.21037/tau.2019.11.16Kumar P, Kumar N, Thakur DS, Patidar A.Male hypogonadism: symptoms and treatment.J Adv Pharm Technol Res. 2010;1(3):297-301. doi:10.4103/0110-5558.72420NIH National Library of Medicine.DailyMed - Jatenzo - testosterone undecanoate capsule, liquid filled.
Mascherek A, Reidick MC, Gallinat J, Kühn S.Is ejaculation frequency in men related to general and mental health? Looking back and looking forward.Front Psychol. 2021;12:693121. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.693121
Isenmann E, Schumann M, Notbohm HL, Flenker U, Zimmer P.Hormonal response after masturbation in young healthy men: a randomized controlled cross-over pilot study.Basic Clin Androl. 2021;31(1):32. doi:10.1186/s12610-021-00148-2
Parish SJ, Simon JA, Davis SR, et al.International society for the study of women’s sexual health clinical practice guideline for the use of systemic testosterone for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women.J Womens Health. 2021;30(4):474-491. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.10.009
Zavorsky GS, Brooks RA.The influence of sexual activity on athletic performance: a systematic review and meta-analyses.Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):15609. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-19882-2
MedlinePlus.Could you have low testosterone?.
Al Hayek AA, Robert AA, Alshammari G, Hakami H, Al Dawish MA.Assessment of hypogonadism in men with type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study from Saudi Arabia[published correction appears in Clin Med Insights Endocrinol Diabetes. 2017 Oct 10;10 :1179551417722086].Clin Med Insights Endocrinol Diabetes. 2017;10:1179551417710209. doi:10.1177/1179551417710209
Wittert G.The relationship between sleep disorders and testosterone in men.Asian J Androl. 2014;16(2):262-265. doi:10.4103/1008-682X.122586
Krzastek SC, Smith RP.Non-testosterone management of male hypogonadism: an examination of the existing literature.Transl Androl Urol. 2020;9(Suppl 2):S160-S170. doi:10.21037/tau.2019.11.16
Kumar P, Kumar N, Thakur DS, Patidar A.Male hypogonadism: symptoms and treatment.J Adv Pharm Technol Res. 2010;1(3):297-301. doi:10.4103/0110-5558.72420
NIH National Library of Medicine.DailyMed - Jatenzo - testosterone undecanoate capsule, liquid filled.
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