Correcting zinc deficiencies with supplements can boost testosterone levels (Te et al. 2023). Zinc is involved in over a hundred enzymatic reactions within the body, including synthesis of testosterone, metabolism of thyroid hormones, and formation of insulin. All other sex hormones, including testosterone and the estrogens, are derived from pregnenolone. Therapies that target mitochondrial will boost the production of all sex hormone levels, because it is in the inner membrane of the mitochondria that an enzyme called P450scc modifies cholesterol to form a sex steroid called pregnenolone (Miller 2013). After two years, my testosterone levels are still over 1000 ng/dL, which is super high, considering I'm almost 60 years old. In that article, I explained how my testosterone increased from the mid-700's to nearly 1200 ng/dL when I started ice baths followed by rewarming exercises. Participants in competitive activities gain testosterone in anticipation of the competition and increase testosterone when they win (Casto & Edwards 2016). However, a lean body composition and a rigorous exercise regimen was no safeguard against low testosterone. A University of Chicago study found that a small sample of healthy young men experienced a reduction of 10%-15% in total testosterone after one week during which they were limited to just five hours of sleep per night. It has been used for centuries as a remedy for male infertility, and clinical evidence shows that it likely will improve male libido, sexual performance (e.g., erection), and sperm quality (Thu et al. 2017). Moreover, after one week, subjects exhibited an increase in total testosterone and a decrease in estradiol (Naghii et al. 2011). A corresponding increase in free testosterone suggests that boron supplementation was effective for freeing up a portion of total testosterone by releasing it from SHBG. These effects may explain why people feel invigorated after a cold shower—but feeling alert doesn’t necessarily indicate a spike in testosterone. Testosterone is a key hormone responsible for various functions in the body, including muscle development, bone density, sex drive, mood regulation, and red blood cell production. In this article, we review what happens during cold exposure, what the evidence says about testosterone, and what evidence-backed steps you can take to support hormone health. When it comes to behavioral/lifestyle modifications that support healthy testosterone levels, getting adequate sleep is the most important. "Women who are randomized to testosterone, compared with placebo, have one additional satisfying sexual event in four weeks, compared with placebo," she said. On the Reddit community r/menopause, scores of posts tout the drug’s benefits of improved energy and sex drive for women. Perimenopausal symptoms begin when women reach their 40s, triggered by hormonal fluctuations and accompanied by irregular periods, brain fog, insomnia and hair loss. Doctors use a combination of symptoms and blood work in deciding whom to treat. But not everyone has symptoms at the same testosterone levels. You may need to have your blood taken more than once and at different times of the day, since testosterone levels change. If your doctor suspects your testosterone levels are low, they’ll give you a blood test, probably first thing in the morning. Many men with low testosterone report improved energy levels, sex drive, and mood after testosterone treatment. The age at which a person can access gender affirming hormone therapy varies across the world. Although it may have benefits for some people, the treatment is not without risk. It may also induce male secondary sex characteristics, such as facial hair. T therapy is a treatment that induces typically masculine physical traits while suppressing typically feminine ones.
