Does masturbating lower testosterone? The science behind the myths

For years, gym lore and online forums have claimed that ejaculation kills your gains. Here is what clinical research actually says about self-pleasure, hormone baselines, and your long-term health.

“The body is not a battery that runs out of charge when you use it. Ejaculation does not drain your testosterone reserves. While there are momentary hormonal shifts during sexual activity, the idea that masturbation permanently lowers your baseline testosterone is a physiological myth that causes men unnecessary anxiety.”

Alexander Grant, MD, PhD, Urologist

The relationship

In the world of men’s health and fitness, few topics generate as much debate—and anxiety—as the connection between sexual frequency and muscle-building hormones. The core question, “does masturbating lower testosterone,” drives thousands of men to experiment with semen retention and “NoFap” protocols every month. The short answer, based on decades of urological and endocrinological data, is no. Masturbation does not cause a long-term reduction in testosterone levels (hypogonadism).

Clinical studies dating back to the 1970s and continuing through modern research have consistently shown that while sexual activity creates immediate, short-term fluctuations in blood chemistry, it does not alter the body’s homeostatic baseline. A landmark study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior monitored hormone levels in men before and after masturbation. The researchers found no statistically significant change in systemic testosterone concentrations following orgasm.^[1]

However, the myth persists partly because of a frequently cited, yet often misunderstood, study from 2003. This research observed a spike in testosterone—approximately 145% of baseline—on the seventh day of abstinence.^[2] Crucially, this spike was temporary. In men who continued to abstain beyond day seven, levels returned to their normal baseline shortly after. This indicates that while the body may have a rhythmic response to abstinence, it does not continue to build testosterone indefinitely like a savings account.

How it works

To understand why the answer to “does masturbating lower testosterone” is negative, we have to look at the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) axis. This is the control center that regulates male hormone production.

The HPG feedback loop

Testosterone production begins in the brain, not the testicles. The hypothalamus releases Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which signals the pituitary gland to release two critical messengers: Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). LH travels through the bloodstream to the Leydig cells in the testes, instructing them to produce testosterone.

This system operates on a negative feedback loop. When testosterone levels in the blood reach the optimal threshold, the brain slows down the production of GnRH and LH. Ejaculation does not break this loop. The body is incredibly efficient at maintaining homeostasis (a stable internal environment), ensuring that the transient release of semen does not deplete the hormonal instructions required to make more.

The prolactin surge

While testosterone does not crash after orgasm, another hormone does change: prolactin. Prolactin is a protein hormone best known for milk production in women, but in men, it plays a role in immune function and sexual satisfaction. Immediately after ejaculation, prolactin levels spike.^[3]

This surge in prolactin contributes to the “refractory period”—the time immediately after orgasm when a man cannot achieve another erection. It also induces feelings of relaxation and lethargy. Many men mistake this temporary feeling of being “drained” or sleepy for a drop in testosterone. Physiologically, they are unrelated. The testosterone is still in the blood; the brain is simply entering a temporary recovery state driven by neurotransmitters and prolactin.

Hormonal thresholds

When evaluating whether masturbation has affected a man’s hormonal health, doctors look at specific numbers. Meta-analyses indicate that symptomatic men with total testosterone below 350 ng/dL (≈12 nmol/L) are most likely to benefit from treatment. If total testosterone is borderline, clinicians measure free testosterone; values below 100 pg/mL (≈10 ng/dL) support a diagnosis of hypogonadism.^[4] Masturbation frequency has never been shown to drive a healthy male from a normal range (e.g., 600 ng/dL) down into these hypogonadal ranges (<350 ng/dL).

Androgen receptor density

Some limited animal research suggests that frequent ejaculation might temporarily reduce the density of androgen receptors—the “docking bays” for testosterone in the brain. This is a mechanism of the brain to prevent overstimulation. However, this effect is related to dopamine saturation and sensitivity, not the actual level of serum testosterone circulating in the veins. In humans, this typically resets rapidly, which is why sexual drive returns relatively quickly.

Conditions linked to it

While masturbation itself does not lower testosterone, the anxiety surrounding it can. The fear that “does masturbating lower testosterone” is true can lead to psychosomatic symptoms and genuine hormonal issues driven by stress.

Chronic Stress and Cortisol
Men who obsessively worry about their sexual frequency or feel intense guilt (often called “sexual shame”) may experience elevated cortisol levels. Cortisol is the body’s primary stress hormone. Physiologically, cortisol and testosterone have an inverse relationship; as cortisol climbs, testosterone often drops.^[5] Therefore, the stress of worrying about masturbation is more damaging to testosterone levels than the act itself.

Post-Orgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS)
In very rare cases, men may suffer from POIS, a condition where ejaculation triggers severe flu-like symptoms, cognitive fog, and muscle weakness lasting for days.^[6] Men with POIS often believe they have critically low testosterone because they feel physically weak after sex. However, research suggests this is likely an autoimmune or neuroinflammatory reaction to a man’s own semen, not a hormonal deficiency.

Porn-Induced Erectile Dysfunction (PIED)
Excessive consumption of pornography paired with masturbation can lead to desensitization. This presents as an inability to get an erection with a partner, which many men immediately assume is a sign of “Low T.” In reality, this is a neurochemical issue involving dopamine pathways in the brain, unrelated to testosterone production capability.

Symptoms and signals

It is vital to distinguish between the temporary fatigue of the refractory period and the chronic symptoms of clinical hypogonadism (Low T). Feeling sleepy after sex is normal; feeling lethargic every day is not.

Signs of True Low Testosterone:

Loss of morning erections: The disappearance of spontaneous morning wood is a strong clinical indicator of androgen deficiency.
Reduced muscle mass: Difficulty building or maintaining muscle despite adequate protein intake and training.
Central adiposity: Increased body fat specifically around the belly and organs.
Gynecomastia: Tenderness or swelling of breast tissue.
Mood instability: persistent irritability, depression, or lack of motivation.

Signs of Post-Ejaculatory State (Not Low T):

Temporary sleepiness: Caused by oxytocin and prolactin release.
Short-term loss of libido: The natural refractory period (lasting minutes to hours).
Mental relaxation: A drop in anxiety immediately following release.

What to do about it

If you are concerned about your hormone health or are unsure if your habits are affecting your vitality, follow this evidence-based protocol.

1. Get the Right Data
Stop guessing. If you suspect low testosterone, request a blood panel. The blood draw must be performed in the morning (between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM) when testosterone levels peak. As noted previously, use 350 ng/dL for total or 100 pg/mL for free testosterone as decision thresholds when symptoms persist.^[7]

2. Optimize Lifestyle Levers
Before blaming sexual activity, address the factors proven to suppress testosterone:

Sleep: Men who sleep less than 5 hours a night can see a 10-15% reduction in daytime testosterone levels.^[8]
Obesity: Adipose tissue (fat) converts testosterone into estradiol (a form of estrogen), effectively lowering your male hormone count.
Alcohol: Chronic heavy drinking acts as a testicular toxin and increases estrogen conversion.

3. Adopt a Healthy Mindset
Release the guilt. Recognizing that masturbation is a normal physiological function can lower cortisol and actually support a better hormonal environment. If you practice semen retention for personal discipline, that is a valid choice, but do not do it out of a medically incorrect fear of hormonal depletion.

Myth vs Fact: The Retention Debate

Myth: “Holding in semen reabsorbs testosterone into the bloodstream.”
Fact: Unused sperm is broken down and reabsorbed by the body, but sperm is not testosterone. Testosterone is a lipid-based hormone secreted directly into the blood; it is not “stored” in the semen.
Myth: “Masturbation causes hair loss.”
Fact: Male pattern baldness is caused by the sensitivity of hair follicles to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is genetic. Ejaculation does not significantly increase DHT conversion to a degree that accelerates baldness.
Myth: “If I stop masturbating, my testosterone will skyrocket indefinitely.”
Fact: Levels may fluctuate upward slightly within the first week (the “7-day spike”), but they return to homeostasis shortly after. There is no linear climb to “super-physiological” levels through abstinence.
Myth: “Masturbation prevents muscle growth.”
Fact: Muscle synthesis is driven by nutrition, training stimulus, sleep, and overall androgen baseline. Occasional acute fluctuations from sexual activity have a negligible impact on long-term hypertrophy.

Bottom line

Does masturbating lower testosterone? No. While you may experience short-term shifts in neurochemistry—including a spike in prolactin that makes you feel relaxed or sleepy—there is no clinical evidence that masturbation lowers your baseline testosterone levels or inhibits muscle growth. Men should focus on the pillars of health that truly move the needle: high-quality sleep, weight management, and stress reduction, rather than worrying about the physiological cost of an orgasm.

References

Exton MS, Krüger TH, Bursch N, et al. Endocrine response to masturbation-induced orgasm in healthy men following a 3-week sexual abstinence. World journal of urology. 2001;19:377-82. PMID: 11760788
Jiang M, Xin J, Zou Q, et al. A research on the relationship between ejaculation and serum testosterone level in men. Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. 2003;4:236-40. PMID: 12659241
Krüger TH, Haake P, Chereath D, et al. Specificity of the neuroendocrine response to orgasm during sexual arousal in men. The Journal of endocrinology. 2003;177:57-64. PMID: 12697037
Mulhall JP, Trost LW, Brannigan RE, et al. Evaluation and Management of Testosterone Deficiency: AUA Guideline. The Journal of urology. 2018;200:423-432. PMID: 29601923
Brownlee KK, Moore AW, Hackney AC. Relationship between circulating cortisol and testosterone: influence of physical exercise. Journal of sports science & medicine. 2005;4:76-83. PMID: 24431964
Waldinger MD, Meinardi MM, Zwinderman AH, et al. Postorgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS) in 45 Dutch caucasian males: clinical characteristics and evidence for an immunogenic pathogenesis (Part 1). The journal of sexual medicine. 2011;8:1164-70. PMID: 21241453
Salonia A, Bettocchi C, Boeri L, et al. European Association of Urology Guidelines on Sexual and Reproductive Health-2021 Update: Male Sexual Dysfunction. European urology. 2021;80:333-357. PMID: 34183196
Leproult R, Van Cauter E. Effect of 1 week of sleep restriction on testosterone levels in young healthy men. JAMA. 2011;305:2173-4. PMID: 21632481