When it comes to male hormones, testosterone gets the most air time. It makes sense, since it’s the hormone most associated with virility and masculinity and it does indeed play a key role in a man’s fertility—and doubles as a pretty reliable indication of his overall fertility, too. That’s because testosterone influences everything from sperm production to libido. But hormones, including testosterone, are highly sensitive to external influences, which means they can be easily thrown out of balance. Understanding what can be done to support healthy testosterone levels is particularly important for men who are trying to become fathers. So let’s take a closer look at the way testosterone affects male fertility.
Key Takeaways
- Testosterone plays a key role in sperm production and a healthy libido.
- Testosterone levels peak during adolescence and early adulthood, usually between the ages of 18 and 25.After age 30, testosterone levels in men typically decline by about 1% per year.
- Low levels of testosterone can be the result of multiple risk factors, including age, obesity, stress, injury, health conditions and more.
- Low testosterone doesn't necessarily mean infertility, but side effects can make conception more difficult.
- Leading a healthy lifestyle can support healthy testosterone production. Many of the healthy habits that support hormonal balance also promote sperm health as well.
What Is Testosterone?
While testosterone (also known as “T”) is considered a male hormone, it’s actually required in both male and female bodies. In men, testosterone is produced in the testicles and the adrenal glands. During puberty, testosterone is behind the development of body hair and muscle, as well as a deeper voice. It’s also critical for sperm production and a healthy libido. Interestingly, while testosterone is required to produce sperm, it’s not the hormone that actually stimulates the process (but we’ll get into that in a minute).
Free vs. Total Testosterone
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Total Testosterone:
- Includes all testosterone in the blood, bound and unbound.
- Bound testosterone is attached to proteins like sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and albumin, making up about 98-99% of total testosterone.
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Free Testosterone:
- The unbound fraction that is biologically active and available to tissues.
- More indicative of androgen activity and can be a better marker for clinical symptoms of testosterone deficiency.
What’s A Healthy Testosterone Range?
A healthy man has testosterone levels between 270-1070 ng/dl, with the average around 670 ng/dl. Once a man reaches his 30s, testosterone production begins to decline at a rate of about 1% annually (one of the reasons men have a biological clock just like women!). Men with low testosterone have what’s known as hypogonadism. Low testosterone, which falls below the 270-1070 ng/dl range, can be the result of several risk factors:
- Age
- Obesity
- Stress
- Soy intake
- Injury to the testicles
- Excessive alcohol use
- Recreational drug use
- Diabetes
- Cancer treatments, like radiation and chemotherapy
It's important to note that low testosterone doesn’t necessarily equate to male infertility. In fact, a man can have both low testosterone and still produce healthy sperm. That’s because the level of testosterone in the testicles, where sperm is produced, is higher than testosterone levels in the blood. Still, other issues relating to low testosterone, like erectile dysfunction and low sex drive, can be hurdles to conception.
Testosterone and Male Fertility
Research has shown the critical impact of testosterone levels on male fertility. A study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (2017) found that men with lower testosterone levels had a higher risk of infertility. Similarly, research in Fertility and Sterility (2016) demonstrated that men with testosterone levels below 300 ng/dL experienced significant reductions in both sperm count and quality. The Endocrine Society guidelines recommend evaluating both total and free testosterone levels to properly assess hypogonadism and suggest monitoring sperm parameters in men undergoing testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) to mitigate potential adverse effects on fertility.
Testosterone plays a vital role in spermatogenesis, the process of sperm production in the testes. This hormone stimulates the Sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubules, which are essential for nurturing developing sperm cells. Adequate levels of testosterone are necessary to initiate and maintain this complex process. When testosterone levels are low, it can lead to significant impairments in spermatogenesis. This hormonal deficiency disrupts the normal function of the Sertoli cells, resulting in reduced sperm count and poor sperm quality, which can manifest as decreased motility and abnormal morphology. The impact of low testosterone on spermatogenesis can also extend to hormonal imbalances that affect the entire hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, further exacerbating fertility issues. Men with hypogonadism, characterized by low testosterone levels, often face challenges in conceiving due to these disruptions in sperm production.
Signs & Symptoms Of Low Testosterone
In addition to a flagging libido and issues with ED, there can be other indicators of low testosterone. In adult males, fatigue, a drop in strength and muscle mass, loss of pubic or underarm hair, difficulty sleeping and concentration, and weight gain can all be signs of a testosterone imbalance.
Men experiencing these signs and symptoms can see their doctor for a physical exam and bloodwork to determine whether low testerone is the issue. Whether a pregnancy is a plan or not, healthy testosterone levels are important for men, so this isn’t something to overlook.
While low testosterone levels can be treated by taking testosterone through medication, that can be another problem for fertility. The body is a highly-tuned machine, and when it senses external testosterone being introduced through testosterone replacement therapy, it shuts down the testes, which leads to reduced or even absent sperm production. While this medical treatment can address symptoms of low testosterone and may improve a man’s well-being, tread carefully if the plan is parenthood. According to recent studies, testosterone replacement therapy can be detrimental to sperm count and motility and it may even affect sperm morphology and DNA integrity. Researchers are still puzzling out exactly how and why this medical treatment is so problematic for sperm, but at this point, it’s best to focus on natural treatment options in the form of lifestyle modifications.
Testosterone Testing
Testosterone testing can be a simple way to get a baseline. This blood test measures both free and total testosterone. Total testosterone is the entire amount of testosterone circulating in the blood, both bound and unbound. Free testosterone is the unbound form, which makes it readily available to bind to receptors and exert its various effects on the body. Usually, free testosterone is only about 2 to 3% of total testosterone.
Testing for testosterone levels is a crucial step in understanding and managing your hormonal health. Testosterone testing can provide valuable insights into various health concerns, including fatigue, reduced libido, mood changes, and fertility issues. By identifying testosterone imbalances early, you can take proactive steps to address potential health problems before they become more serious. You can talk to your doctor or try an at home testing kit. At home testing kits for testosterone offer a convenient and private way to monitor your levels without the need for frequent doctor visits. These kits typically involve a simple saliva or blood sample that you can collect yourself and send to a lab for analysis. The benefits of at-home testing include ease of use, privacy, and the ability to test at your convenience, making it easier to track changes over time. Regular testing, ideally every 3 to 6 months, can help you monitor the effectiveness of lifestyle changes, supplements, or treatments aimed at improving your testosterone levels. By staying informed about your hormonal health, you can make informed decisions and take control of your well-being. If you have any concerns, we recommend talking to your doctor.
Tips To Support Healthy Testosterone Levels
First, we’ll clarify that the decision to seek treatment is personal and should be based on how low a man’s testosterone is and the severity level of his symptoms. The best place to begin supporting testosterone balance is with lifestyle changes and particular care to protect the testicles. That includes keeping the scrotum cool by avoiding hot tabs, saunas and laptops placed directly in the lap. Experts warn against these habits because spermatogenesis, or the sperm maturation process, functions best at temperatures that are 35 to 46 degrees cooler than body temperature. For that reason, switching from briefs to boxes may also be wise.
Consequently, addressing testosterone deficiencies through medical interventions or lifestyle changes is critical for improving sperm parameters and enhancing fertility prospects. Regular monitoring and tailored treatments can help restore hormonal balance, thus supporting optimal spermatogenesis and reproductive health.
By incorporating these natural tips and Beli for Men supplements into your lifestyle, you can support healthy testosterone levels and improve your overall well-being:
- Quit smoking. Research shows that men who smoke have higher testosterone levels in the short-term, but lower levels over the long run (1). What’s more, men who smoke experience faster age-related decline in testosterone than non-smokers (2). Smoking also causes extensive damage to hormonal health from exposure to the toxins and chemicals.
- Lose weight. Studies show that obesity contributes to low testosterone levels in men. In fact, waist circumference is one of the strongest individual predictors of testosterone deficiency (3).
- Get consistent exercise. For men, exercising three to four times per week as part of a regular routine is associated with a stable elevation in testosterone (4). The focus should be on weight and resistance training.
- Get enough sleep. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night and maintain a regular sleep schedule to help regulate your body's natural hormone production. Poor sleep can significantly lower testosterone levels.
- Eat a nutritious diet. Limiting alcohol, saturated fats and highly processed foods while eating a nutritionally balanced diet is a great way to boost testosterone levels naturally. According to a comprehensive review published in 2023, “nutrients and lifestyle habits play significant roles in reproductive processes/conditions, particularly in male fertility” (5).
- Manage stress. Reduce stress and cortisol levles, which can negatively impact testosterone.
- Sunlight and Vitamin D. Vitamin D is crucial for testosterone synthesis so consider taking a vitamin D supplement.
For men planning on becoming fathers, a men’s prenatal vitamin can support hormonal balance and sperm health across multiple parameters. Beli Vitality for Men can be a good way to ensure you’re getting nutrients shown by science to promote healthy sperm production, sperm motility and morphology, and counteract DNA damage while also filling nutritional gaps in your diet. While there are a number of key ingredients, we’ll call out one specifically: shilajit. Men experiencing symptoms of low testosterone may find that shilajit supplementation has an impressive effect. One study found that participants supplementing with shilajit experienced a significant testosterone boost after 90 days (6).
The Takeaway
Supplementing a healthy lifestyle with a high-quality men’s prenatal vitamin can go a very long way to support male fertility and hormonal balance. But if you have any questions or concerns about your testosterone levels, it’s important to speak with your doctor or fertility specialist to discuss testing so you know exactly what you’re dealing with. Low testosterone doesn’t automatically preclude fatherhood, but understanding your hormone levels is useful information so you can choose the best path forward.
Article Resources
1. Svartberg, J et al. (2006). Endogenous testosterone levels and smoking in men. The fifth Tromsø study. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1365-2605.2006.00720.x
2. Zmuda, J et al. (1997). Longitudinal relation between endogenous testosterone and cardiovascular disease risk factors in middle-aged men. A 13-year follow-up of former Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial participants. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9345114/
3. Harvard Health Publishing (2011). Obesity: Unhealthy and unmanly. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mens-health/obesity-unhealthy-and-unmanly
4. Quick Dose: Can Physical Activity Affect Testosterone? (2022). https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/fitness/quick-dose-can-physicial-activity-affect-testosterone
5. Chao, et al. (2023). Comprehensive review of the positive and negative effects on various important regulators on male spermatogenesis and fertility. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.1063510
6. Pandit S et al. (2015). Clinical evaluation of purified Shilajit on testosterone levels in healthy volunteers. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26395129/
