Does masturbation cause low testosterone?

Masturbation doesn’t cause low testosterone. While hormone levels may shift briefly around sexual activity, there’s no evidence that masturbation lowers testosterone long-term. If you’re worried about low T, it may be more helpful to take a closer look at your lifestyle and consider getting your levels tested before assuming masturbation is the cause.

No, masturbation doesn’t decrease testosterone. While some research suggests testosterone levels may fluctuate briefly during sexual activity before returning to baseline, there's no evidence that masturbation causes a lasting drop in testosterone.

But, then again, testosterone levels are constantly changing, even throughout the course of one day. If you’ve ever taken a blood test to measure your T levels, you might remember having to give a blood sample in the morning, between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. That’s because, during these hours, testosterone levels are naturally at their peak. 

Because testosterone varies from day to day, guidelines recommend confirming a low result with a second early-morning measurement on a separate day. A diagnosis also requires symptoms or signs consistent with testosterone deficiency. 

Short-term hormone fluctuations related to sexual activity, food intake, sleep, illness, stress, or medication use are not the same as clinically diagnosed testosterone deficiency. In summary, current evidence does not show that masturbation lowers baseline testosterone or causes sexual problems through testosterone depletion.

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Research suggests that any changes to testosterone after masturbation or sex are merely temporary.

One small study found that masturbation didn’t significantly affect total testosterone levels, but it did appear to temporarily affect free testosterone by slowing its normal decline throughout the day. Free testosterone refers to the form of testosterone that flows freely throughout the body (in contrast to most testosterone in the body that’s bound to proteins in the blood). 

Taken together, available studies suggest that while masturbation may temporarily influence free testosterone, it isn’t thought to have long-term impacts on your testosterone levels (free or total). 

Clinically low testosterone is different from the daily ups and downs of average testosterone levels. 

Low T (clinically known as hypogonadism) can result from a problem in the testes, known as primary hypogonadism, or in the hypothalamus or pituitary gland that regulates the testes, known as secondary hypogonadism. 

Testosterone also naturally declines as people age. In one study of men ages 45 and older who visited primary care clinics, about 4 in 10 had a low result on a single morning testosterone test. However, that does not mean 4 in 10 men have clinically diagnosed low testosterone, which also requires symptoms and repeat testing.

In addition to the natural decline that comes with age, there are many other possible causes of low T. Low testosterone might be caused by certain medications (including steroids or opioids), an underlying health condition, obesity, sleep problems, HIV, and more.

Symptoms of low T include:

• Low sex drive (libido)

• Fewer spontaneous erections (“morning wood”)

• Hair loss in the armpits or pubic region

• Hot flashes

• Depressive symptoms

• Loss of concentration

• Increased body fat

• Decreased lean muscle mass

• Erectile dysfunction (ED)

Many of these symptoms may also be the result of another health condition. If you experience any of these signs of low T, make an appointment with your healthcare provider.

Treatment depends on the cause and low testosterone is often treatable. One option is testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), although not everyone is a good candidate for TRT. Treating an underlying condition and improving sleep, weight, and general health may also help in some cases. 

In one of their guidelines, the American Urological Association (AUA) recommends that exercise and weight management have the potential to increase total testosterone levels and reduce signs and symptoms of low T. If you read enough articles about health, it may start to sound like "healthy diet and exercise" are the only solutions to well-being. These practices certainly don’t solve everything, but they're almost always a good idea. 

Get regular exercise

Some research suggests that endurance or cardiovascular exercises (like running or stationary biking) may support testosterone health, especially at moderate-to-high intensity levels. 

Resistance training may also cause a brief post-exercise increase in testosterone, especially when larger muscle groups are involved. This temporary response doesn’t necessarily translate into higher resting testosterone or treatment of hypogonadism, though. For example, one study found no notable change in testosterone in men who only worked their biceps, though hormone levels did rise in those who included leg presses and knee extensions. 

That could have something to do with the size of the muscles being worked. Researchers hypothesize that working larger muscles may lead to more testosterone changes, but more research is needed. Just one more reason not to skip leg day!

Eat a balanced diet

Diet can support overall health and weight management, which may help testosterone levels in some men. You might hear in the locker room or read online that some foods will supercharge your body's T production, but whether any individual food has any significant impact on testosterone in humans has yet to be determined . The best approach to overall health is to eat a diverse diet packed with plenty of plants, lean proteins, healthy fats, and whole-food carbohydrates. 

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The bottom line? Masturbation doesn’t seem to have a significant impact on testosterone levels — at least not long-term. Here’s what we know: 

• Masturbation doesn’t decrease testosterone. While hormone levels may change briefly around sexual activity, there's no evidence that masturbation leads to a lasting drop in testosterone.

• Low testosterone is more likely to be caused by other factors. Aging, obesity, poor sleep, certain medications, and underlying health conditions are all more common contributors to low T.

• Lifestyle habits can have a bigger impact on your hormone health than switching up your self-pleasure habits. Prioritizing sleep, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and managing chronic health conditions may help support healthy testosterone levels.

Low testosterone is a real issue that’s common. If you’re noticing symptoms of low T, speak with a healthcare provider who can help create a treatment plan that works for you. Lifestyle changes do not replace evaluation or treatment for confirmed hypogonadism.