While creatine is naturally produced by the body, most physically active individuals take supplements to increase energy production and promote muscle growth.
When a patient voiced concerns about the effects of creatine supplements, I conducted research to understand its impact on sexual health and the potential effects of creatine withdrawal.
Is there a link between the intake of creatine and testosterone levels - which directly affect male sex drive?
Keep reading and find out how creatine affects your sexual health and performance.
Quick Summary
- Creatine, naturally produced in the body, can positively affect sexual health by enhancing blood flow, primarily through the production of nitric oxide which dilates blood vessels, supporting muscle and vascular health.
- Beyond muscle growth, creatine plays a crucial role in brain health, acting as a primary energy source and potentially offering neuroprotective benefits.
- A study involving male rugby players found that consuming 25g of creatine for a week led to a 56% increase in testosterone levels, particularly dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
- Based on my clinical observations, considering creatine's multifaceted benefits, it appears to be a valuable supplement not only for physical performance but also for enhancing sexual health and cognitive functions.
Does Creatine Affect You Sexually?
Yes, creatine can affect people sexually.
It’s naturally produced in the body using:
- Amino acids glycine
- Arginine
- Methionine
The body produces creatine itself up to 80%, as long as you have a protein-rich diet or are taking a creatine monohydrate supplement.
As a seasoned doctor, I've experienced the vigor that creatine brings. It's stored in our muscles as creatine kinase, bonding with phosphate to become a key player in muscle and energy building.
Creatine's main gig? Energy production. It steps up during workouts, fighting fatigue by fueling adenosine triphosphate (ATP) with energy.
It's not just muscles reaping the benefits — brain cells get an energy kick too, enhancing cognitive functions, especially when you're sleep-deprived or mentally drained.
My own observations align: creatine's energy boost isn't limited to the physical. It's a total game-changer, improving everything from muscle to brain performance and even sexual health. The synergy between testosterone and creatine here is truly remarkable.
Benefits Of Creatine Supplementation
Creatine is an amino acid, and amino acids are the building blocks of protein.
You can get creatine from food such as meat and fish, but you would have to eat a lot of creatine-rich food to get a decent amount of creatine. This is where creatine supplementation comes in.
If you’re into endurance training or aerobic exercise, creatine supplements won’t do much for you.
But if you’re into high-intensity and resistance training, then you’ll love creatine supplementation, as the creatine loading phase will allow you to go harder for longer [1].
Some creatine supplementation benefits include:
- Helping muscles produce more energy
- Good for adding muscle mass
- Speeds muscle growth
- Fights neurological diseases
- Lowers blood sugar levels
- Improves brain function
- Reduces fatigue
I’ve established that creatine is beneficial for the body. So, how does testosterone affect creatine supplementation?
Because testosterone slows the excretion of creatine when the concentration of testosterone in the blood is increased, there’s a high chance that the creatine benefits will be enhanced.
Potential Side Effects of Creatine
Although there is no credible data challenging the safety of creatine, there are still potential downsides to taking it.
It may cause weight gain, kidney and liver damage, cramping, dehydration, and gastrointestinal issues.
However, these side effects are relatively uncommon and are likely brought about by the artificial ingredients and additives in the supplement.
One of the best ways to avoid it is by choosing a high-quality creatine supplement with clean ingredients.
How Does Creatine Affect Testosterone Levels?
The hypothalamus and the pituitary gland are in charge of producing testosterone. The hypothalamus controls the pituitary gland, which then controls the testicular activity.
Testosterone is responsible for characteristics more attributed to men than women:
- Increasing lean muscle mass
- Voice deepening
- Face hair growth, armpits, and pubic area
Lower testosterone means that men’s libido is affected, and erectile dysfunction (ED) can happen. Other unwanted side effects include:
- Loss of endurance
- Loss of mental sharpness
- Fatigue
- Less energy
- Less bone strength
- Mood changes
- Lower libido
There are ways you can try to increase testosterone, one of the most common practices is testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) — injections or a patch. But, with these, you risk health consequences.
Instead, a good solution is creatine.
A New Jersey ten-week-long study done on 33 collegiate athletes, who were given a placebo, creatine, or creatine plus beta-alanine, found that subjects who took a daily creatine supplement for seven days had increased resting testosterone levels [2].
Does TRT Boost Libido?
Yes, TRT may boost libido. Testosterone is the key player in men's sex drive.
Lower libido? Often a sign of decreased testosterone, as a Massachusetts study with 1,632 men confirmed — those with less sexual desire had lower testosterone [3].
Another study showed that taking creatine increases the level of testosterone. In a sports medicine study, male rugby players downing 25g of creatine for a week saw a 56% hike in testosterone, particularly dihydrotestosterone (DHT) [4].
For guys with dropping testosterone due to aging or other factors, besides testosterone replacement therapy, creatine supplements might be a solid bet. Curious? Check out a Fountain TRT review for more deets.
"Although quite a few studies in older men have shown that TRT improves muscle mass and strength compared with a placebo, this increase has not translated into improved physical function. Furthermore, large clinical trials have not shown that TRT improves vitality or memory."
- Dr. Shehzad Basaria, Harvard-affiliated Brigham & Women's Hospital
Creatine Supplements and Erectile Dysfunction
According to one of the studies found on the National Center for Biotechnology Information website, most of the studies do not indicate that creatine supplementation increases total testosterone or free testosterone [5].
However, certain studies also suggest the contrary, so there is no definite answer.
Another study found on the National Center for Biotechnology Information website suggests that creatine supplementation increases lean body mass as well as strength, power, and efficacy in short-duration, high-intensity exercises [6].
However, when it comes to creatine and erectile dysfunction, the situation is different.
Long-term daily usage of creatine in any form, be it liquid or oral supplementation, will lead to an overload of the detoxification systems in the kidneys and the liver.
This causes the body to make fewer enzymes that are responsible for synthesizing hormones.
When the production of hormones slows, the body struggles to send the correct brain signals needed to produce an erection. A lessened libido and lack of hormones lead to an ED. This doesn’t mean that you can’t use creatine.
FAQs
Does Creatine Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
There is no conclusive evidence proving that creatine can cause erectile dysfunction. On the contrary, it may even help prevent it.
Does Creatine Affect Sperm?
The impact of creatine on sperm hasn’t been widely studied. However, researchers found that the addition of creatine increased the amount of ATP in sperm and improved sperm motility in vitro [7].
References:
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-benefits-of-creatine#TOC_TITLE_HDR_8
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17136944/
- https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/91/7/2509/2656285
- https://journals.lww.com/cjsportsmed/Abstract/2009/09000/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7871530/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5753968/
- https://academic.oup.com/humrep/article/33/6/1117/4964858
About The Author
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Creatine has always been connected with erectile dysfunction. It’s a good thing that people have access to correct information.
Which helps more sexually when we compare testosterone vs creatine?