What to know about masturbation and testosterone

1. Short- and long-term effects
 
2. Effects of abstinence
 
3. Sex drive
4. Signs of low or high testosterone
 
5. Summary

Many people believe that masturbation affects a man's testosterone levels, but this is not necessarily true. Masturbation does not seem to have any long-lasting effects on testosterone levels.

However, masturbation may have short-term effects on the levels of this hormone. It also affects other factors, such as sex drive. Masturbation does not typically pose a threat to any other aspects of a person's physical health.

In this article, we discuss the possible short-term and long-term effects of masturbation on testosterone levels. We also consider the results of abstinence, the influence of testosterone on sex drive, and signs of high and low testosterone.

Short- and long-term effects

Current research shows no evidence that masturbation has a long-term effect on testosterone levels.

Researchers are interested in both the short-term and long-term effects of masturbation on testosterone levels. However, the research to date is limited and somewhat conflicting.

One reason for this is that it is difficult for scientists in a laboratory to recreate an environment in which people would typically masturbate.

One study used a United States sex club to evaluate changes in testosterone levels in response to sexual stimuli in a real-world setting.

The researchers compared the salivary testosterone levels in men who participated in sexual activity with those in men who only observed. While testosterone levels increased in all the men who visited the sex club, the increase was significantly higher in those who participated.

An earlier study from 1992 assessed the effects of sexual activity on testosterone levels in both men and women. The researchers measured testosterone levels before and after intercourse and also on days when there was no sex.

In both men and women, testosterone levels were highest after intercourse. Levels were lower before sex and on days with no intercourse. These results suggest that sexual activity influences testosterone rather than testosterone influencing sexual activity.

In a 2007 study in rats, researchers found that the number of estrogen receptors was higher 24 hours after ejaculation or mating to sexual satiety. Estrogen receptors help the body use estrogen.

A different rat study from the same year found that the number of androgen receptors, which help the body use testosterone, was lower 24 hours after ejaculation or sexual satiety.

Research is still lacking regarding the long-term effects of masturbation on testosterone levels.