Brenda, I am suffering from low testosterone and have heard via social media that exercise will increase my testosterone level.
I appreciate the question. Thank you for asking. Low testosterone can impact a person's quality of life, making day-to-day difficult. Signs of low testosterone include:
- Vaginal Dryness,
- Reduced sex drive
- Reduced erectile function
- Fatigue
- Symptoms of depression, mood changes
- Muscle weakness, loss of lean muscle
- Hair loss
- Weight gain
- Poor memory, poor focus
Let's look at a few studies regarding the impact of exercise on one's testosterone level. Trumble (2013), Hayes (2015), Herbert (2017), and Hackney (2020) all reported small temporary increases in testosterone levels of study participants after exercise. Trumble et al., 2013 reported a mean increase in testosterone from 201.9 to 300.0 pg/ml. Hayes et al., 2015 reported a mean increase in testosterone from 13.25 ± 6.15 to 14.96 ± 6.89 nmol/l. Herbert et al., 2017, reported a mean increase in testosterone from 15.2 ± 4.2 ng/dl to 16.4 ± 3.3 ng/dl. Hackney et al., 2020 reported a mean increase in testosterone from 17.2 ± 2.2 to 27 ± 6 ng/dl. In the four studies, participants engaged in
high-intensity exercise sessions ranging from 6 weeks to running on a treadmill until exhaustion. Some evidence suggests that testosterone levels returned to normal pre-exercise levels within 24 hours (Hackney, 2020).
It's important to note that while high-intensity exercise can lead to a very small increase in testosterone, this effect is temporary and is not a long-term solution for low testosterone levels.
If you are suffering from symptoms of low testosterone, it's important to understand that exercise alone will not address your low testosterone levels. The first step is to undergo a comprehensive evaluation, including lab work and a symptom checklist. This will allow us to thoroughly assess your hormone profile. During our consultation, we will review the results of your symptom checklist and hormone lab results and provide you with a personalized treatment plan to address your low testosterone symptoms to improve your quality of life.