Does Alcohol Lower Testosterone? (Explained by a Doctor)

Alcohol can negatively affect testosterone by disrupting the function of hormones and glands essential for its production, specifically the hypothalamus, anterior pituitary gland, and testes.

In my coaching experience, I've seen clients' testosterone levels improve noticeably once they reduced their alcohol intake.

The Chain of Action

The hypothalamus releases gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) that acts on your pituitary gland.

Then, the pituitary gland releases follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Lastly, as a response to FSH and LH, the testes produce testosterone (the primary male sex hormone) [1].

Basically, alcohol impairs testosterone synthesis by interfering with all three glands (e.g., damaging Leydig cells in the testes, the part where testosterone is produced) [2].

Furthermore, when you drink and your liver metabolizes ethanol (alcohol), the amount of the coenzyme NAD+, responsible for testosterone production, decreases. It happens because NAD+ prioritizes aiding alcohol metabolism rather than testosterone synthesis, according to the NIAAA.

“Heavy alcohol use can suppress your brain and testicular function and lower testosterone over time, as well as sperm counts.”

- Joshua Calvert, M.D., Urologist

When you determine how much you’re actually drinking, it should become more evident whether alcohol is affecting your testosterone levels. In my practice, I've seen even moderate drinkers experience testosterone improvements when they cut back.

If you’re not sure how to quantify and categorize your alcohol consumption, some guidelines can help you out [5].

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are two following categories: 

1. Moderate drinking - Two drinks or less daily for males and one drink or less for females are considered moderate alcohol intake.
2. Heavy drinking - Fifteen or more drinks per week for males or eight or more per week for females constitute alcohol abuse.

Remember, alcoholic drinks have varying alcohol percentages, so moderation is key.

However, even moderate drinking can affect testosterone levels, with a study from the Alcohol, Clinical, and Experimental Research journal showing a drop in testosterone as soon as 30 minutes after consumption [6].

"Alcoholism is a big factor that people do not think about a lot when dealing with low testosterone."

- Luma Ghalib, M.D.

A 2019 study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found that when healthy men consumed 16 oz of whiskey daily for a month, their testosterone levels started dropping significantly by the third day. By the end of the month, these levels were comparable to those in men with alcoholism [7].

In a study published in the International Journal of Andrology, heavy alcohol consumption was linked to reduced testicular function [8].

Among heavy drinkers (over 80 g/day), only 36.4% had normal spermatogenesis, in contrast to 81.3% of non-alcoholic controls. Furthermore, heavy drinkers showed increased rates of spermatogenic arrest (52.3%) and Sertoli cell-only syndrome (11.4%), highlighting the significant negative impact of alcohol on male reproductive health.

To fix the damage and enhance testosterone production, one of the first things you should do is avoid foods that kill testosterone and alcohol intake altogether.

I've guided many clients through an alcohol detox, and the positive impact on their testosterone levels and overall health is often remarkable.

Taking a break from alcohol allows your liver to recover and helps you observe how your body responds. Notably, a study on mice showed that the damage alcohol causes to the male reproductive system can be reversed after ten weeks of abstaining [9].

Further research is needed to determine the rate and extent of testosterone level recovery in men after they stop drinking.

It's important to note that alcohol consumption generally lowers testosterone synthesis, and men with already low or average testosterone levels may experience negative symptoms [10].

The most common symptoms are:

• Erectile dysfunction
• Lower sperm count
• Reduced sex drive
• Low Energy
• Depression
• Decreased muscle mass and strength

So, after you’ve ditched alcohol, the next thing you should do is adopt an overall healthy lifestyle - eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, getting adequate sleep, and avoiding junk food are the recommended ways to increase testosterone naturally.

On top of that, I always advise my clients to include a T-booster in the mix. These products showed some very good results in replenishing levels overall, especially during the ‘recovery’ phase.