Does nicotine increase testosterone or quietly wreck it?
Dr. Alexander Grant, MD, PhD: Urologist & Men's Health Advocate
Nov 20, 2025 · 9 min read
Internet forums are full of rumors that smoking boosts male hormones. While lab results often show higher levels in smokers, the biological reality involves a dangerous trade-off between hormone quantity and sexual function. “We often see a ‘smoker’s paradox’ in clinic. A patient might have decent testosterone numbers on paper because nicotine blocks the breakdown ...