Does Masturbation Decrease Testosterone?

Medically reviewed by Matthew Wosnitzer, MD

There are a lot of myths surrounding masturbation—that it causes blindness, hairy palms, or acne—many long debunked. A myth that has gained traction lately is that men who masturbate experience lower levels of testosterone (“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.

Sex and Gender Terminology

There are many different terms that people use to describe their sexual and gender 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 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 between sperm levels and 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 or sexual orgasm also affects other hormones in your body. During arousal and sex, your brain releases dopamine, endorphins, oxytocin, and prolactin. 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.

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.

What Decreases Testosterone?

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 to hypogonadism (little to no production of sex hormones). These include:

• Diabetes

• Chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer

• Medication side effects, including from certain opioids, estrogen, and dopamine receptor antagonists

• Injury to the testicle

• Testicular cancer

• Brain injury

• Disorders of the pituitary or hypothalamus glands

• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)

• Obesity or excess body fat

• Chronic diseases, such as liver cirrhosis, kidney failure, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and AIDS

• Insufficient or poor-quality sleep

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 erection

• Low sperm count

• Insomnia (inability to fall or stay asleep) or other sleep disorders

• Loss of muscle mass or tone

• Loss of bone mass

• Higher body fat content

• Depression

• Difficulty concentrating

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 recommend testosterone replacement therapy to boost fertility, restore sexual function, and treat bone diseases (such as osteoporosis), among other applications.

This therapy can take several forms, including:

• Oral pills, such as Jatenzo (testosterone undecanoate)

• Transdermal patches, which you wear on the skin

• Testosterone gels applied to the skin, such as Androgel

• Buccal patch, which is placed on the gums

• Injections of testosterone

• Testosterone pellets implanted in the skin, such as Testopel

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:

• Taking part in regular physical activity or exercise (at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week)

• Adopting diets aimed at managing weight, such as the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) or Mediterranean diets, emphasizing lean proteins, oils, leafy greens, and fresh vegetables

• Avoiding harmful foods, such as those high in sugars, fats, or that are processed

• Ensuring you’re getting enough sleep (seven to nine hours a night)

• Going to bed and getting up at consistent times every day

• Avoiding alcohol or substance use, stopping smoking

Summary

Masturbation does not have a long-term impact on your testosterone. Though there may be short-term fluctuations in hormone levels, there’s no evidence of long-term effects. Low testosterone, or hypogonadism, is typically caused by disorders of the pituitary or thyroid glands or problems with testicles.

A healthcare provider may recommend testosterone replacement therapy and healthy lifestyle changes, helping to boost levels in those experiencing low T symptoms.

Read the original article on Verywell Health.