Sex and testosterone: can masturbation increase the level of the “male” hormone?
Date: 2024-04-10 Author: Karina Ziganova Categories: BLOG 18+
How does sex affect testosterone levels?
The quality of erections directly depends on the level of testosterone. One of the important symptoms of a deficiency of this hormone is a decrease in the frequency of morning erections. With age or when exposed to unfavorable factors (sleep disorders, alcohol, stress, obesity) testosterone levels decrease, the number of morning erections, respectively, also decreases.
Sex can indeed be a powerful testosterone booster. During sexual intercourse, the production of pituitary luteinizing hormone increases, which stimulates Leydig cells, where steroidogenesis - testosterone production - takes place.
Sex deficiency leads to a decrease in hormone production. However, frequent sexual intercourse is also not good for you and reduces testosterone. Everything is good in moderation: sexual intercourse or masturbation once every 3-5 days keeps testosterone levels in physiological norm.
Can masturbation increase or decrease testosterone levels?
Currently, there is no unequivocal evidence of the effect of masturbation on testosterone levels. But given the mechanism of the process, it can be assumed that frequent masturbation will raise prolactin and lower testosterone.
How to raise critically low testosterone?
There are medication and non-medication ways to normalize hormonal metabolism.
Non-medicamentous:
- Normalization of weight, reduction of visceral fat;
- Normalization of sleep;
- Reducing exposure to stressors: stress management, psychotherapy;
- Regular moderate strength physical activity;
- Nutrition rich in protein, omega 3 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamin E, C, zinc. It is possible to use food supplements with these elements;
- Regular sexual activity (at least once a week).
Medication methods should be selected by a doctor. There are also phyto-boosters of testosterone (plant preparations that can have an effect on testosterone levels: for example, palmetto berries), but the evidence base on them is minimal.
What to do if testosterone is high?
High testosterone is more often not the cause of problems, but a consequence of incorrect metabolism, requiring further examination under the supervision of a doctor. It is not recommended to reduce testosterone levels on your own.
