Testosterone levels

Understanding your testosterone levels is fundamental to optimizing men's health, energy, and performance. Learn what normal ranges look like, how to interpret your results, and what factors can influence your levels over time.

Start here

The essentials for testosterone levels — then explore the latest posts below.

Does testosterone affect how long you last? The science of stamina

Does testosterone affect how long you last? The science of stamina

Dr. Alexander Grant, MD, PhD avatar
Dr. Alexander Grant, MD, PhD: Urologist & Men's Health Advocate
Dec 19, 2025 · 12 min read

Testosterone mainly supports libido and erectile function, but it does not directly increase Intravaginal Ejaculatory Latency Time (typically about 5 to 7 minutes) because ejaculation timing is largely a serotonin-mediated neurological reflex. Low testosterone can still make you feel like you are finishing “too fast” by destabilizing erections and creating a rush-to-finish pattern. Here is ...

Does masturbating lower testosterone? The science behind the myths

Does masturbating lower testosterone? The science behind the myths

Dr. Alexander Grant, MD, PhD avatar
Dr. Alexander Grant, MD, PhD: Urologist & Men's Health Advocate
Dec 12, 2025 · 10 min read

Masturbation does not permanently lower baseline testosterone because the hypothalamus‑pituitary‑gonadal (HPG) axis maintains homeostatic hormone production, and clinical studies show no statistically significant change in systemic testosterone after orgasm. The real story is short‑term fluctuations, such as the often‑misread ~145% spike on day 7 of abstinence, and what that means (and doesn’t) for muscle, mood, ...

What happens if we release sperm daily? What science says about testosterone, muscle, and men’s health

What happens if we release sperm daily? What science says about testosterone, muscle, and men’s health

Dr. Alexander Grant, MD, PhD avatar
Dr. Alexander Grant, MD, PhD: Urologist & Men's Health Advocate
Dec 11, 2025 · 14 min read

For most healthy men, ejaculating daily is safe and does not meaningfully lower long-term testosterone or impair muscle gains. Frequent ejaculation is unlikely to wreck long-term health, but there are a few important exceptions you should know about. “For the average healthy man, ejaculating every day is more of a lifestyle choice than a medical ...

Semen retention meaning and the science behind the hype

Semen retention meaning and the science behind the hype

Dr. Alexander Grant, MD, PhD avatar
Dr. Alexander Grant, MD, PhD: Urologist & Men's Health Advocate
Dec 05, 2025 · 13 min read

Semen retention is deliberately avoiding ejaculation for a period of time. Research suggests it does not produce a sustained testosterone boost. A 2001 study in World Journal of Urology found a modest rise around day 7 of abstinence that drifted back toward baseline despite continued retention. Here’s what the evidence says about how “holding semen” ...

Does nicotine increase testosterone or quietly wreck it?

Does nicotine increase testosterone or quietly wreck it?

Dr. Alexander Grant, MD, PhD avatar
Dr. Alexander Grant, MD, PhD: Urologist & Men's Health Advocate
Nov 20, 2025 · 10 min read

In observational studies, male cigarette smokers average about 15% higher total testosterone and 13% higher free testosterone than non-smokers, likely because nicotine alters liver hormone metabolism and slows testosterone breakdown. That “smoker’s paradox” can still coincide with erectile dysfunction and infertility as smoking damages blood vessels and testosterone-producing Leydig cells, so higher lab numbers don’t ...

Special OfferLab panels included: $300/year free for all members