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Do Steroids Make You More Sexually Active? (From a Doctor)

Connor Sellers
Published by Connor Sellers
Fact checked by Donald Christman, BHSc FACT CHECKED
Last updated: May 9, 2023
Methodology
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One of the reasons I often hear people mention when it comes to taking steroids is that it doesn’t just help with muscle growth and performance but also with bedroom activities.

And while there’s nothing wrong with that added bonus, it’s important to understand what actually happens and if this is a lasting effect.

So, I teamed up with a doctor to research scientific literature on how different steroids may impact sex drive.

There were quite a few surprises that might make readers think twice about taking such prescription drugs.

Quick Summary

  • Steroids can artificially boost testosterone levels, boosting your libido and fertility.
  • Long-term usage of steroids can present some side effects like preventing ejaculation.
  • Consider testosterone-boosting supplementtnts or natural ingredients to enhance your sexual performance.

Do Steroids Affect You Sexually?

A handsome tattooed fit person in bed under the sheets

Yes, steroids affect you sexually.

And while many people believe that all steroids positively impact testosterone levels, there are also some that have a negative effect.

And then, there is the impact of long-term use without medical supervision that can boost your testosterone but still lead to erectile dysfunction [1].

Here’s what that means.

Studies have shown that the initial effect of androgenic steroid use can be positive for sex drive [2].

And many people who have a steroid prescription for treating inflammation, allergies, or other diseases may find that their libido increases quite a lot.

However, that same drug can also shrink and damage testicles [3]. And that can reduce the body’s ability to naturally maintain healthy T-levels.

“Men who use anabolic steroids in large doses will have issues with testosterone and sperm production, and they may not recover even after they stop using the steroids.”

- Sandee LaMotte, Writer at CNN.com.

It’s also important to understand that corticosteroids like Prednisone may directly reduce serum testosterone which can then lead to erectile problems [4].

So, it's not all sunshine and rainbows.

Related: How Long Does It Take For Prednisone To Work?

What Types Make You More Sexually Active?

Some anabolic steroids are known to make you more sexually active.

These types tend to cause a significant boost in T-levels within hours and just a few days [5]. 

But that effect can be short, and because steroids don’t solve the underlying problem of low testosterone production, this is really not a suitable solution for increasing libido and fertility.

But that hasn’t stopped men from resorting to such drugs in large numbers.

There are plenty of reports that this has become a common practice [6].

But taking such actions without the careful monitoring and observation of side effects by a medical doctor could lead to long-term health problems.

Alternatives to Steroid Use

A buff man posing for the camera

As I mentioned above, taking anabolic steroids doesn’t solve the underlying issue of low testosterone production. If anything, it masks the issue and can even make it worse.

So, the far better alternative is to look at ways to boost your body’s ability to increase your T-levels. Yes, there are medications that aim to do this.

But there are natural and completely legal ways as well such as taking a legal steroid supplement.

Scientists have been researching what the body needs to boost production and provide enough of the nutrients needed for that production.

Kind of like telling a chef what the recipe is and providing him with the ingredients.

It turns out that zinc, vitamin D3, and magnesium are three vital micronutrients needed to produce hormones [7].

And if you add some Ashwagandha and Fenugreek, you could have an ideal combination to signal an increased production [8].

Related:

FAQs

Can Steroids Prevent You From Ejaculating?

Yes, steroids can prevent you from ejaculating. However, this is generally a side effect after long-term use of very high doses [9].

Can Your Steroid Use Affect Your Partner?

No, steroid use won’t directly affect your partner. The only way the steroids may transfer is if you apply some form of steroid cream and it rubs off onto your partner.

Take the Safe Approach to Improved Sexual Activity

While there are many good reasons for people to take steroids as a medical treatment, doing so for improved sexual activity should not be one of them.

Too many people underestimate the negative long-term effects, even if there is an initial improvement in libido.

A much safer way to get to the heart of such problems is to deal with the problem of low testosterone production directly. And the safest way to do that is with natural and legal steroids. See our top list of recommendations:

They don’t work overnight or even within a few days. But once the effects kick in, it’s possible to see a significant improvement in testosterone and sex drive.


References:

  1. https://onlinedoctor.lloydspharmacy.com/uk/lifestyle-advice/how-steroids-effect-your-hair-sex-life
  2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8435035/
  3. https://edition.cnn.com/2021/03/09/health/bodybuilding-steroids-testicular-damage-study-wellness/index.html
  4. https://www.nps.org.au/australian-prescriber/articles/drug-induced-sexual-dysfunction-in-men-and-women#r46
  5. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/mar/31/rise-in-middle-aged-men-taking-steroids-to-feel-more-youthful-experts-say
  6. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/middle-aged-men-use-steroids-to-boost-sex-drive-hq6zz6gg0
  7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33076711/
  8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8166567/
  9. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0091305795020306
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