Testosterone affects more than just erections. It plays a critical role in your mood, sex drive, bone health, and more. However, as you age, your general health also plays a role in how your body responds sexually. Let’s talk about ways to boost your testosterone naturally before heading to the drugstore.
The Efficacy of the Natural Path
If you’re wondering if boosting your testosterone the natural way works, the answer is yes. Lifestyle factors significantly influence the amount of testosterone your body makes organically, so it’s a worthy endeavor and an excellent place to start. These lifestyle changes can help even if low testosterone is not the culprit for your lackluster sex drive or erections, as they improve your cardiovascular and brain health, which are imperative for good sexual function.
Further, boosting your testosterone naturally can fast-track the conversations with your doctor, who may want you to make lifestyle changes first. If you have already addressed your health in the ways you have control over, they may be ready to find you a medication to help address your symptoms.
Tips for Starting Naturally
Boosting your testosterone the natural way is a good idea because you get to skip the side effects, doctor appointments, and other inconveniences of a prescription. But it can also take more effort. Yet dedication to your health will pay off in more ways than just testosterone booth; you will likely notice an improvement in your mental health and ability to cope with stress.
Incorporating exercise into your daily life will do wonders for your testosterone level. Choose movement that feels good to you, and set small goals rather than overcommitting. Gentle exercise practices like yoga or walking are ideal for those who are beginners.
Next, eating more healthfully can increase your testosterone, as well. Since there is much debate over what healthy eating entails, a good guideline is to choose anti-inflammatory foods. Eating more plants is sensible, and focusing on protein is also effective.
Getting enough sleep and reducing the amount of stress in your life can help boost those testosterone numbers as well. Better sleep will not only benefit your physical health but may also improve your relationship, mood, and endurance during sex.
Lastly, skip the supplements, unless they are recommended by your medical team. Since they are unregulated by the FDA, it’s difficult if not impossible to know what you’re ingesting, and data is often limited on what works.
Next Stop: Your Doctor’s Office
If you’ve tried the above health changes and still aren’t satisfied with your sex life, consulting a doctor about synthetic testosterone is a good idea. Whatever you do, don’t take testosterone on your own. Always do so under the supervision of a doctor.
Doctors can easily check your testosterone level, so that’s an excellent place to start. If your testosterone is within the normal range, other health issues may be to blame for impeding your sex life. Testosterone isn’t necessarily the silver bullet to rock-hard erections and muscle mass that people sometimes think it is. You may be taking another prescription that is the problem, or you may need to address your pelvic floor health.
However, some people may want to skip the natural route and take the pill. Before you do this, keep in mind that taking synthetic testosterone can have a drastic impact on your fertility since your body won’t be making as much of its own. You may experience a thickening of the blood. And surprisingly, sometimes your estrogen may increase too, causing mood changes.
Experiencing erectile dysfunction is not the same as having low testosterone. If you’re concerned that you have ED, check out my video below for tips on how to know for sure:
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Bio: Dr. Nazanin Moali is a clinical psychologist and sex therapist in the Los Angeles area. She works with various individuals to understand and improve their sexuality. Dr. Moali conducts personal consultation sessions in her Torrance and Hermosa Beach offices, or via a secure, online video-counseling platform. Click here to take the sex quiz for women.