Does Masturbating Increase Testosterone?

Masturbating, most of us do it, but many of us don’t like talking about it. It’s a subject that’s often tiptoed around, but pleasuring yourself is great for both the mind and body.  From relieving stress to boosting your mood, we should all indulge in a bit of solo loving when we get the chance. 

But apart from making us feel amazing, what effect does it have on your hormones, specifically testosterone? We’ve all heard about athletes abstaining from sex to increase their testosterone levels and heighten their performance. But is this based on scientific fact or fiction? And more importantly, does masturbating increase testosterone? Let’s find out. 

How Does Testosterone Affect Women?

Testosterone is often thought of as a male hormone, but women have it too. In fact, it’s one of our key sex hormones that helps regulate mood, energy levels, and, yes, libido. While the effect of testosterone on men is well-documented, its influence on women’s bodies is just as important.

For women, testosterone is directly tied to sex drive as well as mood, motivation, and muscle mass. If we don’t produce enough of it, we’ll feel tired, emotionally drained, and certainly not in the mood for any funny business.

So, does masturbating increase testosterone?

Well, the research isn’t definitive but here’s what we know:

The Link Between Masturbation and Testosterone

Testosterone plays a vital role in arousal and sexual desire for both men and women. Being aroused triggers a cascade of hormonal responses in our bodies, with an increase in testosterone being one of them. However, this effect is mostly temporary. 

But can masturbation have the opposite effect and actually decrease testosterone? 

Research suggests that masturbation is unlikely to deplete your testosterone levels. Instead, it actually helps regulate hormonal balance by reducing stress, which is known to suppress testosterone production and other hormones like estrogen and progesterone. 

As for abstaining from masturbation and sex to increase testosterone levels like athletes do, well there doesn’t seem to be any real scientific evidence to support this either. It’s more likely a placebo effect if anything. 

While the direct link between masturbation and testosterone isn’t crystal clear, it’s safe to say that regular self-pleasure supports your overall hormone health and sex drive - in case you need any more reasons to get down and dirty with yourself.

What Else Can Masturbating Do For Me?

The magic of masturbation for women extends well beyond your testosterone levels. Here’s a look at some of the other perks that come from pleasuring yourself:

1. Relieves Stress

Orgasms trigger the release of endorphins and dopamine, which act as natural stress relievers. This hormonal shift after you masturbate  leaves you feeling calm, clear-headed, and ready to tackle whatever comes your way.

2. Eases Period Cramps

Most of us experience PMS at some point in our lives, and we all know that period cramps are no fun. But you know what is fun? Masturbation. So, when you’re on your period, why not kill two birds with one stone? When you orgasm your uterus muscles contract, promoting better blood flow and reducing painful period cramps, plus you get to have an orgasm. Win, win. 

3. Boosts Your Feel-Good Hormones

You don't have to be a hormone expert to know that masturbation makes you feel good. Self-pleasure stimulates the release of oxytocin known as the love hormone and dopamine, the body’s reward hormone, creating a natural boost to your mood. 

4. Makes Your Skin Glow

You’ve heard that a healthy glow comes from within, right? Masturbation increases blood flow and oxygenation to your body, and decreases stress, which means fewer breakouts and a more radiant, glowing appearance.

5. Improves Your Sleep

The post-orgasm release of calming hormones makes it easier to fall into a deep, restful sleep. Specifically, during and after orgasm, your body releases a cocktail of hormones, including oxytocin and prolactin, which are known to promote relaxation and drowsiness. Additionally, masturbation reduces cortisol levels, further helping to create a sense of calm so you can drift off peacefully. 

6. Increases Your Libido

The more you tune into your body’s pleasure pathways, the stronger they become. As the saying goes, practice makes perfect, and consistently connecting with your own desires and what turns you on helps maintain a healthy sex drive and life. 

So, while masturbation may not cause a dramatic spike in testosterone long term, it’s undeniable that pleasuring yourself has some very (pardon the pun) handy benefits—for both your hormone health and overall well-being. 

From stress relief to better sex, there’s no reason not to prioritise a little more me-time when you’re in the mood. It’s all part of the self-love and care that we should all practice as women.

Whether by yourself, with a partner, or with the help of toys, everyone should masturbate more even if it's just for the sake of your hormones.

At Hormones + You, our testosterone-boosting cream is developed by doctors and is the perfect solution for those experiencing low testosterone and a lack of libido. 

Not only does it restore your mood, energy, and sex drive, but it’s made from the highest quality plant-derived bioidentical hormones, giving you a more natural hormone boost compared to synthetic hormone treatments. 

So, if you want to take back control of your libido and feel the very best version of yourself, start an online consultation now and get your own custom-made testosterone-boosting cream prescribed today.