How Alcohol Affects Testosterone? [Factors, Symptoms & FAQ’s]

Overconsumption of anything is harmful to your health. This including boozing as well. Various negative impacts associated with alcohol have been previously noted in different studies.

The latest finding reveals its negative impact on your T-levels as well. But, How Alcohol Affects Testosterone?

Drinking excessively leads to adverse complications in short term as well as long term. Testosterone, the primary, male sex hormone, isn’t left.

The T-level drop caused by alcohol consumption can lead to various problems including:

• Infertility
• Lean muscle loss
• Erectile dysfunction

Low T-level triggered by alcohol consumption affects males primarily. However, alcohol and testosterone in females aren’t indifferent. Thus, through this article, we’ve tried to explore every aspect of alcohol and testosterone.

Keep reading to learn about the connection between alcohol and your testosterone levels. Also, we would try to debunk the alcohol testosterone myth…

So, let’s kick in…

How Alcohol Affect Testosterone?

In the human body, specifically in men, three glands are responsible for the T-production and secretion. Well, this includes the hypothalamus, anterior pituitary gland, and testes.

1. Your hypothalamus secretes a hormone called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). It functions as an anterior pituitary gland.
2. Your anterior pituitary gland secretes LH (luteinizing hormone) and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone).
3. In retort to LH and FSH, your testes then produce testosterone.

Excessive alcohol consumption disturbs the T-production by interfering with the three glands. Eventually, this leads to both long-term and short-term effects on your male hormone.

Alcohol and Testosterone: Long-Term Effects

Does alcohol increase testosterone in males? Well, this is a top keyword in google searched by people. However, it does nothing to help your male hormone. Instead, it leads to implicit negative effects.

Heavy drinking results in poor testicular function compared to people prone to average alcohol consumption. In other words, having 15 drinks a week for men or 8 a week for women is harmful.

Male heavy drinkers are like to experience

• erectile dysfunction
• low testosterone levels
• low libido

These effects are rather seen in the long run. Alcohol misuse impairs the Leydig cells in your testes decimating T-production. Moreover, boozing also interferes with the secretion of LH, FSH, and GnRH.

On the other hand, moderate intake doesn’t how any long-term consequences. This means having no more than 2 drinks for men and 1 for women in a day.

Alcohol and Testosterone: Short Term Effects

Nominal boozing also negative effects. These short-term damages in T-secretion arise due to the impact on your hypothalamus and pituitary gland.

Studies indicate a significant drop in your T-level 30 minutes after alcohol intake.

In another study, healthy men had a pint of whiskey daily for 30 days. Their T-level was compared to chronic alcoholics. At the end of the study, the drop in T-level appeared on the third day similar to chronic alcoholics.

does alcohol increase testosterone in females and males?

Well, the above analysis clearly suggests the various negative impacts associated with alcohol consumption. Whether moderate or excessive either leads to significant trouble to your masculine health.

However, the long-term and short-term effects vary with different factors responsible. If you closely look at how alcohol affects testosterone, you can clearly take note of that.

Factors Influencing Alcohol’s Effects on Testosterone Levels

Alcohol abuse has limitless negative effects. One of them includes a drop in T-levels. Nonetheless, the negative impact of booze on your T differs with various factors.

This might surprise, but an individual’s sex, age, and alcohol you drink more or less determine the negative effects. Let’s take a deeper insight of each, one by one…

#1: An Individual’s Sex

Your favorite drink contains a chemical component that affects your health. Actually, Ethanol present in alcohol is rather lethal to men’s reproductive organs.

In greater consumption, it lessens your T-level, T-function, fertility, sperm count and even damages cells of the tests. Eventually, the consequences can be seen in the development of infertility.

It is common in men with alcohol use disorders (AUD).

On the other hand, females experience opposite effects. Uncontrolled boozing leads to an increase in their testosterone level.

Does alcohol increase testosterone in females? You have got the answer. Still, it compromises your feminine health.

The science is simple with an increase in your T, your female hormone reduces leading to different effects. Meanwhile, it results in the loss of female sex characteristics and elevates the risk of infertility.

#2: An Individual’s Age

Various clinical trials suggest different effects of moderate alcohol consumption with different age groups.

Elaborately, the moderate alcohol consumption allowed for people in their 20s isn’t simple to what one should drink in 40. Similarly, in women as well, with age their hormones fluctuate. It can further exaggerate alcohol consumption compared to younger women.

For folks in their 40s and 50s, the standard “moderate” amounts of alcohol may utterly introduce an adversarial impact to hormone production.

Premenopausal females may encounter a drop in progesterone and a spike in estrogen with increased boozing. on the contrary, some pieces of scientific evidence show how it can delay the onset of menopause.

Whatever be the case, binge drinking is still dangerous for you and your health. Overall, it has detrimental adverse effects on your hormone consistency.

#3: Alcohol Brand

The type and brand of alcohol matter as well when it comes to lessening your T-levels. For instance, Beer comprises phytoestrogen and prolactin. The two chemical boosts your estrogen levels while lessening your testosterone.

Generally, these chemicals are found in hops and barley, two common beer constituents. Wine and some liquors like bourbon encompass the estrogen-boosting chemical phytoestrogen.

Phytoestrogen is naturally available in many plants. The compound has estrogen increasing and testosterone lessening properties. So, stop searching for the best alcohol for testosterone. There’s no such thing.

This segment clearly demonstrates how the three factors can further damage your T-production. Clearly, you understand How Alcohol Affects Testosterone. Now, it’s time to look into what’s your limit…

How Much Alcohol Does It Take to Affect Testosterone Levels?

Various research and studies are available in this respect. We will look at them one by one to get an exact point that impacts your T-levels…

A study found that T-levels in American men now is 25% less than the T-level in men of similar age in the 1980s. According to the latest finding, alcohol may be a primary reason for the significant drop.

So, how much alcohol does it take to affect your T levels?

Research suggests moderate drinking (a drink for women and two drinks for men per day) causes a minor drop in T-levels in men. Whereas zero to nominal effects appear in females.

On the other hand, heavy drinking, i.e. having five or more drinks in a two-hour period is a bit serious. Whether boozing heavy occasionally or regular, long-term effects are a bit complicated.

Men are like to face a sudden drop in T-level and fertility issues. Whereas women may experience a sudden increase in T-level with various fertility issues

How Does Alcohol Affect Your Sperm?

Sertoli cells function in your tests for sperm maturation. However, alcohol abuse impairs its function leading to complications.

Both testosterone and FSH have key a part in spermatogenesis (the process of the growth of sperm).

Disturbances to these hormones can result in spermatogenic arrest. The spermatogenic arrest is an intruded growth of sperm leading to low sperm attention in semen.

Studies reveal that 50% of heavy boozers experienced spermatogenic arrest than only 20% of un-alcoholic men. Also, the size of tests of heavy drinks was smaller compared to heavy drinkers.

Another study on 16,395 healthy men concluded a negative impact on sperm morphology and T-level. However, moderate alcohol consumption didn’t show any significant difference. 

On the other hand, a study on 8,344 healthy men from Europe and the United States, declared moderate boozing has no negative impact on semen quality.

Alcohol testosterone myth debunked!

In no way, drinking too much or moderate helps your T-level. In contrast, it affects your male hormone level while putting a risk to your fertility rate.

Wait!!

How would you know if drinking excessively has compromised your T-level? Well, early symptoms can appear as an indication…

Low Testosterone Symptoms: Early Signs of Alcohol-Impaired Men Health

Whatever complication or health risk you face, your body indicates it with various signs and symptoms.

Here, we have listed the Symptoms of low testosterone in adult men occurred due to alcohol abuse:

• Low libido
• Lethargy
• Depression
• Infertility
• Hot flashes
• Loss of bone mass
• Poor concentration
• Erectile dysfunction
• Loss of muscle mass
• Loss of the body or facial hair
• Development of breasts

Now, after acknowledging the various risk of alcohol abuse to your T-health. It’s time to how to revert to a normal well-being mode. Will quitting alcohol increase testosterone? If yes, how much time will it require?

How Long Does It Take After Stopping Alcohol to Return To Normal?

Quitting alcohol can relieve its harmful effect. It may also help in reversing the damages it has caused to your brain and tests.

Nonetheless, the time required for reversing the effect would vary from individual to individual.

It depends on how much and how long you’ve been prone to drinking. It can take months or even years in some cases. Moreover, some damages of alcohol abuse are permanent.

More research and studies are required to explain how quitting could reverse both the short-term and long-term impact of alcohol consumption.

Apart from quitting, testosterone recovery after alcohol abuse can be possible with a few lifestyle changes. A few recommendations include:

• Skipping junk food,
• Consuming a balanced diet,
• Working out regularly, and
• Getting enough sleep

Though the effects would be nominal with the changes. Still, the results, in the long run, would be noteworthy. Besides, Testosterone Replacement Therapy is a key area to look into.

How Does Alcohol Affect Testosterone Replacement Therapy?

Individuals with a history of alcohol misuse have a higher risk of encountering low T-level. Furthermore, continuing to boozing while testosterone replacement therapy weakens the effects of treatment. Many doctors suggest quitting or limiting alcohol, considering the negative effect while taking the therapy.

FAQ’s on Alcohol Effects on Testosterone

The whole discussion has revealed several crucial facts oftentimes going unnoticed.

In this segment, we’ve especially answered some other questions. This helps you expand your dimension of knowledge in terms of testosterone and alcohol abuse.

Q1: Is Alcohol Bad For Testosterone?

Excessive alcohol intake lowers your testosterone level, affecting your men’s health and fertility. Not only that, it may lead to various health issues associated with higher T-level.

Well, the negative effects can be seen with heavy drinking involving more than 15 drinks per week. Quitting or limiting alcohol consumption may reverse the effect depending upon the damage caused.

Q2: Do Alcohol Increase Testosterone Levels?

In men, higher alcohol consumption ultimately hampers your overall health. Not only that studies have revealed how alcohol affects your testosterone.

It impacts the various glands responsible for producing the male hormone. Eventually, lessening your T-level while impairing differing body functions.

However, drinking can increase T-level in women but for the bad. The excess of the male hormone in the female body hampers the female hormone while leading to infertility.

Q3: Is Beer Good For Testosterone?

Having beer hops up your estrogen. It is under study for the treatment of hot flashes in menopausal women. If you want a balanced T-level, quitting alcohol is best. Studies reveal that even drinking two drinks a day negative impacts your male hormone level.

Q4: Can I Drink One Beer Every Day?

Of course, yes you can. It’s your life and your choice, what you want to have or whatnot. But, remember, it is alcohol having various negative impacts on your men’s health. Drinking more than the weekly “upper limits” for healthy adults would ultimately be bad for your overall well-being.

Q5: How Long Does Testosterone Take To Recover From Alcohol?

In non-cirrhotic alcoholic men, T-level elevates and restores during abstinence and returns to normal confines after three weeks. However, the period would vary depending on how long you have to drink and how much.

Q6: Does Wine Increase Testosterone?

Not all wine is going to benefit your male hormone level.

Research suggests that red wine helps to increase your male hormone level. It is possible because of the compound, quercetin, present in it.

Well, it blocks the dissipation of hormones responsible for binding free testosterone and excreting it through the kidney.

Q7: Is 12 Beers A Day Too Much?

Yes. It is TOO MUCH!!

The CDC states that having more than eight drinks a week for women and more than 15 drinks weekly for men.

Thus, the negative effect triggered by drinking 12 beers a day is immeasurable. Certainly, it would lead to short- and long-term issues.

Well, our discussion on how alcohol affects testosterone levels ends here.

Lastly, we have summed up the entire information to give you an overview. Moreover, to get tips to increase your T-levels, lead the last segment.

Takeaway

Heavy alcohol consumption is more or less for your overall health. Hence, we aren’t surprised by the various negative effect of it on men’s health.

Obviously, heavy drinking leads to lowering your T-level, impairing fertility, and even disturbing your body.

So, we would recommend you to quit alcohol or have lesser than the upper limit to ensure the bad effects remains under control.

When to see a doctor- 

Are you encountering the various symptoms of low testosterone levels? Or Are you facing any issues with your reproductive health?

It is time to see your doctor and discuss the issues you are facing.

Some tips on how to increase testosterone

• Avoid junk foods including sugary drinks and carb-loaded food
• Try having testosterone boosting foods
• Have a balanced diet
• Rely on testosterone boosting ingredient for food preparation
• Perform testosterone boosting exercises
• Also, try testosterone boosting supplements for the best results.

However, these tips would only work when you would quit drinking. Whether you drink too much or in control, the negative effect impairs your men’s health as well as overall wellbeing.

We hope you are aware of the nuances associated with alcohol and its effects on your testosterone health. For more such informative blogs, keep visiting us.