As we get older, testosterone starts to become a big concern. Apparently, a loss of testosterone is the reason why, as we age, our muscles go slack and that sexual flame sparkling in our souls begins to dim. Don’t eat that, because it will kill testosterone. Do that exercise, because it will boost testosterone. One can go dizzy trying to keep up with the latest male hormone directives.
But what about masturbation? Does masturbation decrease testosterone? This is quite a complicated question, because a lot of different factors may cause different outcomes. For example, how does one discern whether or not masturbation is the cause of a reduction in T-levels? And what exactly about masturbation decreases testosterone, if it does?
According to a study to be further evaluated later in the article, T-levels were lowest on days without sex, and highest after intercourse. The study concluded that sexual activity determines T-levels, not vice versa. Thus, there does not even appear to be a link between masturbation and testosterone. This article will explore this complicated enigma. Or, at least, this article will present the most scientific evidence regarding the subject.
What is Testosterone?
First thing is first. In order to answer the question, does masturbation decreases testosterone levels, a clear and concise understanding of testosterone is required. Testosterone is a hormone found in all humans and animals. Women’s ovaries produce T, although not as much as men’s. Men produce T in their testicles.
According to your hormones, testosterone is created when the hypothalamus sends signals to our pituitary glands to produce the luteinizing hormone. This hormone travels to the testicles, where it creates testosterone.
Testosterone is the hormone most responsible for the sex drive, as well as for the production of sperm. It also plays an important role in producing red blood cells and bone and muscle mass. Low T-levels can even result in depression and mood swings.
What Causes Testosterone Levels to Change?
T-levels begin to soar during puberty. Remember all of those forsaken white heads sprinkled across your face? Now you know what to blame them on! At some point, when men are in their early 30s, their T-levels begin to decrease. According to the Mayo Clinic, a male’s testosterone decreases about one percent per year after the age of 30. Though some sites put the age when men start losing testosterone at around 40.
Everyone knows that as we age we lose testosterone. However, some men maintain the same T-levels into their sixties as they had during their twenties. If aging causes T-levels to drop, how come some people, and more specifically, some cultures, manage to withstand the inevitable process of aging? The scientific community believes that aging does not reduce our T-levels, but stress, a frequent companion of aging, is the true culprit. Or if it is not aging, does masturbation reduce sex drive?
Causes of Low Testosterone
T-levels are responsible for everything that makes a man a man. Muscles, that deep voice, those few budding hairs below the chin – they all come from testosterone. As a result, some guys will do anything to prevent their T-levels from plummeting.
As we get older, our T-levels inevitably fall, but there are some other factors that may hasten this plunge.
Traumatic brain injury
Severe head trauma can cause T-levels to drop. Brain injuries could affect the hypothalamus and pituitary glands, thereby causing major disruptions to the production of T.
Anabolic steroids and supplements
A very meticulous internal system will ensure that the body is running on an appropriate amount of T. When the body is lacking T-levels, the hypothalamus will order production. But when the body has a surplus, the hypothalamus will cease production. Consumption of an excessive amount of steroids will tell the brain that there is no need to produce anymore, and thus, turn off the body’s natural testosterone production.
Vitamin D
The body needs Vitamin D to produce testosterone. As a result, a Vitamin D deficiency will correlate with low T. In the same vein, consumption of Vitamin D is an effective method to increase T-levels.
Too much fat
Fat cells have a high amount of aromatase. The job of such enzymes is to convert estrogen from testosterone molecules. Estrogen is the main female sex hormone. Men need this hormone as well, just in smaller amounts. The more fat tissue that a man has, the more estrogen and the less testosterone.
Signs of Highs and Lows of Testosterone
We may not be able to examine the amounts of a certain hormone racing through one’s blood. However, armed with an adequate supply of facts and observation, we usually can tell if a person has too much or too little testosterone. Both conditions can be dangerous and should be examined as soon as possible. Low testosterone can cause numerous serious medical conditions. Read this study to find out how low T-levels can play a role in Peyronie’s disease.
Signs of T-levels too low
Sex drive
When someone’s T-levels are too low, sex drive will be noticeably low. Usually, the only one that could gauge this parameter is the significant other. But when this hormone becomes low, individuals may have significantly less sex drive. In addition, they might have problems building an erection. Just because someone can not get an erection, does not necessarily mean that they have high T-levels.
Hair loss
Low T-levels usually coincide with body and/or face hair loss. Hair loss is also attributed to genes, so determining the true cause of balding could be a hairy issue.
Fatigue
One excellent way to tell that someone does not have enough testosterone is when they fatigue very easily. When T-levels plunge, an entire host of unpleasant outcomes can transpire such as lack of sex drive and motivation, plus an increase in body fat and sleeping problems. All of these things will result in fatigue.
Mood issues
As T-levels affect physical issues, like hair loss and body weight, the hormone can also have a big impact on how we act. A fluctuation of T-levels can result in changes in mood. Men suffering from low testosterone are more likely to behave erratically, including depression, lack of focus, and irritability.
Connection Between Masturbation and Testosterone
A great myth in the never-ending quest to dive into that fountain of youth is that there exists a link between testosterone and masturbation. If one was to gather their judgment on the issue strictly by the relevant studies that have taken place, they would be spinning in circles.
For example, this study showed that people had higher T levels after sex than those who did not engage in sexual activity. But then another study showed that men who had gone three weeks celibate tested higher T-levels.
These findings seem to point to the conclusion that there is no connection between masturbation and testosterone. Despite what your grandmother told you, masturbation is a perfectly healthy activity. Check it out online. Most scientific sites are in agreement that there is no harm in daily masturbation.
Low T is Important to Your Sexual Health
When it comes to bedroom theatrics, masturbation won’t prevent a blockbuster performance, but low testosterone could pull the curtain before the show has even begun! If one is suffering from low T-levels, struggling not to masturbate is not the answer. It will only cause much unnecessary stress.
Low T-levels can affect one’s sexual performance in the following ways:
Diminished sex drive
As we age, our sex drive is gradually reduced. However, some people with low T-levels may experience a more dramatic lackluster interest in sex.
Erectile dysfunction
Testosterone alone does not form an erection. A complicated process unfolds every time an erection sprouts. The brain sends a signal to the penis, and then blood flows into the penis and makes it larger.
Low sperm
Testosterone is instrumental in producing sperm.
Benefits And Risks Of Male Masturbation?
Society has made us think that masturbation is a disgusting habit. We are taught to be ashamed of our own natural desires. However, masturbation is healthy. Masturbation allows individuals to explore their own sexuality, and develop cravings and desires. Performing “the dirty deed” relaxes people, maintains circulatory and respiratory systems, and helps people sleep.
This article entitled, “Sexual activity, health, and well-being – the beneficial roles of coitus and masturbation”, concludes that pleasuring one’s self will actually improve the quality of their sperm.
Ejaculation has countless benefits for a man. Read this article to learn how sexual activity can be the best medicine one could consume!
The only harm that masturbation can cause, is if it is performed in excess. If masturbation gets in the way of things such as relationships or work, or if an individual devotes too much time of the day thinking about it, they could be masturbating too much. There are psychosexual counselors that are trained to help individuals who are struggling with such problems.
Ways to Raise Your T Levels
The false assertion that masturbation lowers testosterone can actually be harmful. If an individual believes this, they will assume that as long as they stop masturbating, their T-levels will remain high. They will not bother to try any treatments that are actually successful in raising testosterone.
There are plenty of ways that one could raise their T-levels through natural lifestyle changes.
- Exercise
- Diet
- Reduce stress
- Vitamin D
- Sleep better
GAINSWave is a Safe Alternative to Testosterone Boosters
One study examined how effective testosterone treatment is for those suffering erectile problems. Nearly half of the subjects displayed no improvement with testosterone treatment. Erectile dysfunction is usually the result of another health problem, such as smoking, drinking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stress, or more.
All of these conditions affect a man’s sexual performance because they all clog up his blood circulatory system. An erection is the product of signals rushing from the brain to the penis area. The brain sends a command to get erect. But what happens if this signal is unable to travel through the blood, as a result of constricted blood vessels or messy plaque that may block the way for the signals?
GAINSWave therapy is a non-invasive and drug-free solution that has been proven effective by countless scientific studies. GAINSWave uses the only FDA-approved device to provide Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy. The procedure uses soundwaves to remove the micro-plaque as well as stimulates the growth of new and healthy blood vessels.
Read this account of how GAINSWave treatment returned sexual desire to one individual.
The first step is to find a nearby provider. The treatment takes about fifteen minutes and can be conducted in the provider’s office. Do yourself a favor and make the call today.