Testosterone: What It Is, Function & Levels

How to Increase Your Testosterone Naturally

We explore the role of testosterone within the body, how we can diagnose a deficiency, and how to increase testosterone naturally. Your body makes dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in your adrenal glands and uses it to make both testosterone and estrogen. A review of dozens of clinical trials showed that DHEA supplements do increase blood testosterone levels in men and women. Researchers have looked into whether it helps with menopause symptoms, erectile dysfunction, and mental and physical signs of aging, but results have been mixed. Leafy greens, fatty fish, healthy oils, and onions can all increase testosterone production as part of a balanced diet. However, it is important to note that overall lifestyle is more important for testosterone levels than singular foods.

Sign up to the Marion Gluck Clinic newsletter, our monthly round-ups of latest news as well as helpful articles on nutrition, hormones and much more. Here are some frequently asked questions about boosting testosterone. Wittert, “The relationship between sleep disorders and testosterone in men.” 2014. If you get sufficient zinc from food, you don’t need to take a supplement.

Participants reported improvements in sexual function and quality of life. Most of our male patients taking Clomid only need to take it 2-3 times per week to achieve optimal levels and reap the benefits. When all else fails, Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) is a proven method of treatment to boost testosterone levels. It comes in several forms including gels, patches, and injections.

They can be helpful on their own or paired with hormone replacement. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs.

Other substances, such as cigarette and marijuana smoking, can also negatively affect testicular tissue and sperm health—although not testosterone production, per se. If you need to lose weight, talk to your healthcare provider about the best plan for you. Some research shows that low-fat diets can actually lower testosterone.

“Anything that negatively affects sleep, such as shift work, sleep apnea, or stress, will negatively affect testosterone production,” Dr. Bajic says. “Shoot for eight hours of sleep per night and exercise good sleep hygiene.” If you have a sleep disorder such as snoring or sleep apnea, see your physician for confirmation and possible treatment with CPAP. CPAP is a device that you wear on your face at night that can help you breathe and sleep better.

Testosterone is a hormone that regulates male characteristics and sexual function. Just like other hormones in your body, testosterone naturally fluctuates from day to day and over the course of your life. Boosting your testosterone levels can lessen symptoms and significantly improve your quality of life. While lifestyle changes are a great place to start, don’t hesitate to seek medical advice if you feel these methods aren’t working for you. A 2020 review found that high-intensity aerobic exercise and heavy resistance training significantly increased testosterone levels in men across lifespan and activity levels.

For young men who may want to have children in the future, TRT can be an issue. TRT suppresses the body’s natural testosterone production and disrupts the hormone signals necessary for sperm production, leading to infertility. In many men, this is reversible once treatment has stopped, but in some, the infertility is permanent. The phenomenon of younger men turning to testosterone timeline (http://cultivodesetas.es/media/pgs/?vitaminas_para_aumentar_la_testosterona_1.html) replacement therapy (TRT) to boost their “T levels” has been in the spotlight recently thanks to media reports and social media influencers.