The sex hormone testosterone has many impacts on the male body, with sexual desire and fertility being the most obvious ones.
But one thing I’ve heard often is that there is also an inverse relationship and that sexual activity and ejaculation could also lower testosterone levels; speculation possibly fueled by the fact that many boxers and MMA fighters abstain from sex before a fight.
To find out the truth, I dived into the scientific literature on the relationship between ejaculation and serum testosterone level in men with the help of a doctor.
Here’s what our research revealed.
Quick Summary
- Men don't lose testosterone levels when they ejaculate at any point.
- The serum testosterone level in men has a positive effect on muscles, athletic performance, and libido.
- Staying physically active, and eating healthy are some ways of boosting your testosterone levels.
Do Guys Lose Serum Testosterone When They Ejaculate?

No, guys don’t experience a loss of serum testosterone level when they ejaculate.
There are studies that have shown that there is no measurable change in T-levels after ejaculation [1].
I raised this topic in a forum for personal trainers, and it does seem like it’s predominantly boxers and martial artists that still believe that they will have an edge if they don’t ejaculate before a fight.
And speaking with a doctor, he also confirmed that there is no reliable evidence that ejaculation has an impact on testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, or sex hormone-binding globulin.
There doesn’t seem to be any other data to support this.
What could also be adding to the confusion is that testosterone has a direct impact on libido, fertility, and even premature ejaculation [2].
So, if there’s no relationship between ejaculation and testosterone, does it have other impacts?
Let’s take a look.
What Happens To Hormones After Ejaculation?
After male ejaculation, certain hormone levels fluctuate, but testosterone is not one of them.
What happens is that prolactin levels increase and dopamine levels decrease. These are temporary fluctuations, and it doesn’t take long to rebalance them [3].
The combination of these increases and decreases reduces sexual desire and also reduces the erection effect.
If these levels fall out of balance chronically, only then do they lead to low testosterone and a host of other issues, such as dysfunction.
But acute post-orgasm fluctuations have no documented effect whatsoever, and that same combined effect is partially responsible for the pleasant feelings men experience after the orgasm.
How Can Men Improve Their T-Levels?

Men can improve their testosterone levels directly by paying a lot more attention to what they eat and how active they are every single day.
As a personal fitness coach, I’ve helped countless clients with the help of my dietitian to come up with plans to improve fitness, reduce weight, and boost testosterone naturally.
And we’ve managed to repeatedly do this without clients having to resort to medical hormone treatment.
The first thing you have to do is cut out sugar and highly refined carbs and get to a healthy and balanced diet. This should be the first step to losing weight, and that can have a direct impact on T-levels [4].
“If you’re overweight (or obese) and have low T levels, taking off some of those pounds is one of the best things you can do to get higher T levels.”
- Neka Miller, PhD at Everlywell.com
And to then get an extra boost, you can take a natural T-booster supplement. These contain vitamins, minerals, and herbs with a proven link to triggering natural processes in the body to raise and maintain a higher T-count.
They won’t work as fast as medications, but taking them consistently for several months can have comparable and more sustainable benefits.
Are There Other Things That Could Cause Low Testosterone?

Yes, many other things can cause low testosterone levels. And it’s typically a handful of things that are the most common cause, with orgasms not being one of them.
Here’s what I found in medical literature, and if any of these things apply to you, then I suggest you contact your doctor [5].
Hypogonadism is a medical condition where the testicles don’t function at optimum levels, and this can result from injury, illness, or even other medication.
What can also happen is reduced functionality in the pituitary gland, which sends signals to the testicles to produce more testosterone.
And in my experience, one of the most common things that influence T-levels is a poor diet and exercise routine [6].
And when those lifestyle choices gradually lead to obesity, then the impact on testosterone can lead to a vicious cycle.
Avoid Myths About T-Levels
Because there is no evidence of a link between ejaculation and serum testosterone levels, there’s no reason to make abstinence part of your life.
Yes, your T-count will influence sexual arousal, and there’s nothing wrong with trying to improve your T-count.
In my professional experience, the best way to do that in a natural way is with a testosterone booster supplement for men.
We’ve tested many of these and found a few that provide consistent results for libido, mental health, fitness, and strength.
I highly recommend that you try adding such a supplement to your daily stack.
References:
- https://joe.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/joe/52/1/joe_52_1_005.xml
- https://www.mazemenshealth.com/premature-ejaculation
- https://examine.com/articles/does-ejaculation-affect-testosterone-levels/
- https://www.everlywell.com/blog/testosterone/testosterone-weight-loss
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322647
- https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2021/apr/5-all-natural-ways-to-boost-your-testosterone/
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