Excessive alcohol consumption can alter many hormones in your body, including testosterone, in both the short and long term.
The primary male sex hormone is testosterone. It contributes to men's masculinity and is essential for muscle and bone growth, as well as sperm development.
When testosterone levels fall, it can cause issues such as:
- Erection problems
- Infertility
- Muscle mass loss
Although this article focuses on testosterone in men's health, women's ovaries produce a small amount of testosterone as well. Low testosterone levels in women can result in low sex drive and brittle bones.
Continue reading to learn more about the relationship between alcohol and testosterone levels.
What effect does alcohol have on testosterone?
In men, three glands are required for testosterone production: the hypothalamus, the anterior pituitary gland, and the testes.
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is released by your hypothalamus and acts on your anterior pituitary gland.
- Following that, your anterior pituitary gland secretes luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (FSH).
- Your testes then produce testosterone in response to LH and FSH.
By interfering with all three glands, alcohol can disrupt testosterone production.
Alcohol's long-term effects on testosterone
Heavy drinkers are more likely to have poor testicular function than people who drink moderately.
Heavy drinking is defined as more than 15 drinks per week for men and more than eight drinks per week for women.
Men who consume a lot of alcohol are more likely to suffer from:
- Erection problems
- Testosterone deficiency
- A lack of libido
Chronic alcohol abuse is thought to harm the Leydig cells in your testes, which are responsible for testosterone production. Alcohol can also impair the release of LH, FSH, and GnRH.
Moderate alcohol consumption appears to have no long-term impact on reproductive health or testosterone levels.
Moderate alcohol consumption is typically defined as no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.
Alcohol's short-term effects on testosterone
Acute alcohol consumption is thought to impair testosterone release in the short term by negatively affecting your hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
According to research, testosterone levels can drop as quickly as 30 minutes after consuming alcohol.
Healthy men were given a pint of whiskey per day for 30 days in one study, and their testosterone levels were compared to those of men with chronic alcoholism.
By the third day, the testosterone levels of the healthy men had begun to fall and had reached levels comparable to those of the men with alcoholism by the end of the month.
What effect does alcohol have on your sperm?
The function of Sertoli cells in your testicles is impaired by alcohol. These cells are required for the maturation of sperm.
Spermatogenesis is the process by which sperm develops. In spermatogenesis, both testosterone and FSH play a role.
These hormones can be disrupted, resulting in spermatogenic arrest. Spermatogenic arrest is an interruption in sperm development that can result in low sperm concentration in sperm.
According to studies, 50 percent of heavy drinkers had spermatogenic arrest, compared to only 20 percent of men who were not alcoholics.
They also discovered that men who drank heavily had slightly smaller but statistically significant testicles than men who did not.
According to a 2017 study of 16,395 healthy men, heavy drinking may have a negative effect on sperm volume and morphology.
Moderate alcohol consumption had no effect on either of the parameters.yet another study
A study of 8,344 healthy men from Europe and the United States by Trusted Source discovered that moderate alcohol consumption had no effect on sperm quality.
Although it is common knowledge that women should not drink while pregnant, some research suggests that men who drink heavily prior to fertilization may also put their future child at risk for birth defects.
What are the signs of low testosterone levels?
Among the symptoms of low testosterone in adult men are:
- A lack of libido
- Lethargy
- Depression
- Erection problems
- Infertility
- Hair loss on the body or on the face
- Muscle mass loss
- Breast enlargement
- Bone mass loss
- Flashes of heat
- Inability to concentrate
How long does it take to get back to normal after quitting alcohol?
Quitting alcohol can help reverse some of the brain and testicular damage.
Recovery, however, can take months or years depending on how much and how long you've been drinking.
Some damage may be irreversible.
A single mouse study after 10 weeks of abstaining from alcohol, Trusted Source discovered that alcohol damage to the male reproductive tract was somewhat reversible.
Although animal studies do not always translate to human studies, the findings of this study suggest that at least a partial recovery is possible.
More research on human subjects is required to better understand the extent to which the human reproductive system can heal itself.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle in general can aid in your recovery. Avoiding junk food, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep can all help you keep your hormone levels in check.
What effect does alcohol have on testosterone replacement therapy?
People who have a history of alcohol abuse are more likely to develop low testosterone. Continuing to drink heavily while undergoing testosterone replacement therapy may reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.
Many doctors advise their patients to limit or avoid alcohol while taking testosterone.
More than 90% of men with advanced liver disease have low testosterone, according to Trusted Source. Continued drinking may worsen liver damage, resulting in additional health issues and impaired testosterone production.
Also Read: The best natural way to increase your testosterone without any side effects
When should you see a doctor?
It's a good idea to see a doctor if you believe your drinking is affecting your testosterone levels or reproductive health.
Your doctor can advise you on the best treatment options for your low testosterone levels and alcohol addiction.
In Conclusion
Heavy alcohol consumption can reduce testosterone levels and reduce fertility.
Men who drink more than 15 drinks per week are considered to be heavy drinkers.
Quitting or reducing your alcohol consumption to a safe level may help reverse some of the damage caused by chronic drinking.
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