Does Masturbation Decrease Testosterone?

How Does Masturbation Affect Hormone Levels?

Masturbation seems to have short-term effects on sex hormones.

During masturbation, Testosterone levels naturally increase and then return to regular levels after orgasm. Refraining from masturbation for a few weeks may cause a mild increase in Testosterone levels, but this temporary increase doesn’t appear significant enough to relieve low Testosterone.

Masturbation also stimulates the release of the hormone Oxytocin, which contributes to feelings of intimacy, social bonding, and good mood.

Masturbation (and orgasms generally) increase the production of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine, as well. These neurotransmitters play a big part in regulating mood.

Because of its effects on Testosterone, Oxytocin, and neurotransmitters, regular masturbation may lead to better moods, less anxiety, and an increased sense of well-being.

What's Causing My Low Testosterone?

We’ve discussed how frequent masturbation doesn’t show evidence of affecting Testosterone levels long-term. You may be wondering what could be impacting your Testosterone levels instead.

As men get older, their bodies naturally produce less Testosterone. That’s why aging is the most common cause of low Testosterone levels. But men can experience low T at any age from various other causes.

These causes include:

• Being overweight. If you are chronically overweight or obese, it may lead to lower Testosterone because of insulin resistance and other health issues.
• Lifestyle issues. It’s important to make sure you’re taking care of yourself and living a healthy lifestyle. Habits like using drugs, drinking too much, smoking, and not getting enough sleep can all have an effect on the amount of Testosterone your body produces.
• Sleep apnea. This condition causes an interruption in your sleep cycle, which can keep you from getting the deep, restorative sleep required to produce Testosterone. This often leads to lower levels of Testosterone in the body.
• Thyroid conditions. Hormones in our body are all related. If the thyroid produces too much or too little of the hormones T3 and T4, it can affect Testosterone production down the line.
• Certain medications. Prescriptions that can impact Testosterone production include opioid painkillers, cimetidine for heartburn, drugs to treat high blood pressure like spironolactone, and some anti-depressants. It’s important to get advice from a doctor about which medications might be causing you to have low T symptoms. We do not recommend stopping any prescription medicines without speaking to a medical professional.
• Cancer treatments. Therapies like chemotherapy and radiation can have an impact on the amount of Testosterone produced by the body.
• Injury to the groin. Injury or damage to the testes may halt or slow the process of producing Testosterone.
• Adrenal or testicular disease. Certain illnesses that affect the adrenal glands or testicles can lead to a decrease in Testosterone levels.

If you feel like your Testosterone levels are low, you should consult with a knowledgeable provider and get a complete blood panel to understand your levels. This can help determine the cause of your symptoms associated with low T.