Does masturbating lower testosterone? The science behind the myths
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 fluctuation—like the often‑misread ~145% spike on day 7 of abstinence—and what that means (and doesn’t) for muscle, mood, and long‑term health. ...