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Options for Increasing Your Testosterone

Medically reviewed by Daniel Murrell, M.D. — Written by Colleen M. Story — Updated on September 13, 2018

What is testosterone?
Hypogonadism
Treatment
Who is it for?
Risk factors
Alternative treatments
Takeaway

Overview

In the last 100 years, life expectancy for men has increased by 65 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In 1900, men lived until about age 46. By 2014, that age jumped to 76. There’s no question that men are redefining what it means to be 50, 60, and 70 years old or older.

Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and adequate rest all help maintain energy and vitality in men over 50. But men are also turning to one of the most advanced aging solutions available. Over the last decade, testosterone use among middle-aged and senior men has become popular.

What is testosterone?

Testosterone is the hormone responsible for the development of male external genitalia and secondary sexual characteristics. It’s produced by the testicles. Testosterone is important for maintaining:

muscle bulk
bone density
red blood cells
sexual and reproductive function

Testosterone also contributes to vitality and well-being.

As men age, their bodies gradually produce less testosterone. This natural decline starts around age 30 and continues throughout the rest of a man’s life.

Male hypogonadism

Some men have a testosterone deficiency called male hypogonadism. This is a condition in which the body doesn’t produce enough testosterone. It may be caused by problems in the:

testicles
hypothalamus
pituitary gland

Men at risk for this condition include those who have had an injury to the testicles or have HIV/AIDS. If you’ve gone through chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or had undescended testicles as an infant you are also considered at risk for hypogonadism.

Symptoms of male hypogonadism in adulthood include:

erectile dysfunction
decrease in muscle mass
infertility
loss of bone mass (osteoporosis)
decrease in beard and body hair growth
development of breast tissue
fatigue
difficulty concentrating
decreased sex drive

Treatments for male hypogonadism

Doctors can determine if you have male hypogonadism through physical exams and blood tests. If your doctor detects low testosterone they may perform additional tests to determine the cause.

Treatment typically includes testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in the form of:

injections
patches
gels

TRT reportedly helps to:

boost energy levels
increase muscle mass
restore sexual function

However, scientists caution there isn’t enough information to determine the safety of regular testosterone supplementation.

TRT for healthy men?

Many men experience changes as they age similar to the symptoms of hypogonadism. But their symptoms may not be related to any disease or injury. Some are considered a normal part of aging, such as:

changes in sleep patterns and sexual function
increased body fat
reduced muscle
decreased motivation or self-confidence

The Mayo Clinic reports that TRT can help men with hypogonadism. The results are not as clear with men who have normal levels of testosterone or older men with decreasing testosterone levels. More rigorous studies are needed, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Risks of testosterone therapy

Studies are mixed on whether TRT is beneficial for normal men as they age. Some research has brought up serious risks with the therapy, particularly when taken long term. This has led doctors to be cautious about recommending it.

A large, 2010 meta-analysis of 51 studies looked at the safety of TRT. The report concluded that safety analysis of TRT is of low quality and fails to inform the public about potential long-term effects.

The Mayo Clinic cautions that TRT also may:

contribute to sleep apnea
cause acne or other skin reactions
limit sperm production
cause testicle shrinkage
enlarge the breasts
increase the risk of heart disease

There are also risks involved in having low testosterone levels, such as:

stroke
heart attack
hip fracture

Previously, there were concerns that TRT raised the risk of developing prostate cancer.

Most current data, including two reports in 2015, no longer supports a link between testosterone replacement and the development of 1) prostate cancer, 2) more aggressive prostate cancer, or 3) prostate cancer that returns after treatment.

If you have male hypogonadism or low testosterone, talk with your doctor about whether TRT may be a good option for you. Discuss the risks and benefits of TRT.

Alternative treatments

If you don’t have hypogonadism, but you’re interested in feeling more energetic and youthful. The following alternative methods may help increase your testosterone level without the use of hormone therapy.

Maintain a healthy weight. Overweight men are more likely to have low testosterone levels. Losing weight can bring testosterone back up.
Exercise regularly. Sedentary men tend to have reduced levels of testosterone, as the body doesn’t need as much. Weightlifting can stimulate testosterone production. The key is regularly moving your body and using your muscles.
Sleep 7 to 8 hours every night. Lack of sleep affects the hormones in your body.

Try vitamin D supplements. A 2011 study of 165 men suggested that supplementing with about 3,300 IUs of vitamin D per day increased testosterone levels.
Enjoy your morning coffee. There is some 2008 evidence that caffeine may increase testosterone levels.

Get more zinc. Zinc deficiency in men has been associated with hypogonadism.
Eat more nuts and beans. They’re rich in D-aspartic acid, which promotes the production of testosterone, according to one 2009 study.

The takeaway

One way to increase your testosterone levels is through TRT. It’s especially effective if you have hypogonadism. Studies have not yet demonstrated the effectiveness of TRT in helping men with normal levels of testosterone or older men with decreasing testosterone levels due to aging.

Men who take TRT usually experience increased energy, a higher sex drive, and overall well-being. But its long-term safety hasn’t been established.

There are a variety of lifestyle treatments involving exercise, diet, and sleep that have been shown to increase testosterone levels. Talk to your doctor about what may be best for you.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Arias E. (2016). Changes in life expectancyby race and Hispanic origin in the United States, 2013-2014.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db244.htm
Bassil N., et al. (2009). The benefits andrisks of testosterone replacement therapy: A review.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2701485/
EisenbergML. (2015). Testosterone replacement therapy and prostate cancer incidence.DOI: https://doi.org/10.5534/wjmh.2015.33.3.125
Fernández-Balsells MM, et al. (2010). Adverse effects oftestosterone therapy in adult men: A systematic review and meta-analysis. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2009-2575
Golan R, et al. (2015). Age-related testosterone decline is due towaning of both testicular and hypothalamic-pituitary function [Abstract].
Hypogonadism. (2017.)https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15216-hypogonadism
Is testosterone therapy safe? Take a breathbefore you take the plunge. (2017).http://www.health.harvard.edu/mens-health/is-testosterone-therapy-safe-take-a-breath-before-you-take-the-plunge
Kaplan AL, et al. (2016). Testosterone therapy in men with prostate cancer . DOI:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26719015
Life expectancy at birth,at 65 years of age, and at 75 years of age, by race and sex: United States,selected years 1900–2007. (2007). https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/2010/022.pdf
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2016). Male hypogonadism..https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/male-hypogonadism/symptoms-causes/syc-20354881
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017). Testosteronetherapy: Potential benefits and risks as you age.http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/sexual-health/in-depth/testosterone-therapy/art-20045728?pg=1
Osterberg EC, et al. (2014). Risks of testosterone therapy in men.https://doi.org/10.4103/0970-1591.124197
Pilz S, et al. (2011). Effect of vitamin D supplementation ontestosterone levels in men [Abstract]. http://doi.org/10.1055/s-0030-1269854
Spitzer M, et al. (2012). Effects of testosterone replacement onresponse to sildenafil citrate in men with erectile dysfunction: A parallel,randomized trial.http://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-157-10-201211200-00004
Topo E, et al. (2009). The role and molecular mechanism ofD-aspartic acid in the release and synthesis of LH and testosterone in humansand rats. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7827-7-120

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Medically reviewed by Daniel Murrell, M.D. — Written by Colleen M. Story — Updated on September 13, 2018

Options To Increase Your Testosterone - Healthline

CBD

Overview

What is testosterone?

Male hypogonadism

Treatments for male hypogonadism

TRT for healthy men?

Risks of testosterone therapy

Alternative treatments

The takeaway

How we reviewed this article:

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