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The male sex hormone plays an important role in reproduction—but to what extent, exactly?
Well, as well as being responsible for fertility, male sex hormones also help to regulate your emotions, boost muscle mass, and maintain a healthy sex drive.
So, it's safe to say that the male sex hormone is pretty important. And, we're going to dig a little deeper into its role in reproduction and what you can do to maintain hormonal harmony.
Ready? Let's go.
What are male sex hormones and what do they do?
Did you know? Testosterone is one of the primary male sex hormones. And in addition to playing a part in sexual function, it also contributes to your overall well-being.
At their core, male sex hormones give your 'male' characteristics. Testosterone, in particular, can impact your sperm count (and quality) while helping you maintain your overall reproductive health.
In addition to contributing to your overall reproductive health, testosterone also...
- Assists the growth of body hair during puberty
- Plays a role in muscle mass, resilience, and strength
- Helps with healthy sperm production
- Boosts and balances mood
- Maintains consistent energy levels
It's safe to say that doing what you can to keep your sexual hormones healthy is not only important for reproductive purposes, but it will also make you feel happier, healthier, and stronger.
Read: Our guide to what your testosterone levels should be according to age to see where your 'T' is at.
Where are male sex hormones made?
As we've established, testosterone is one of the main reproductive hormones. But how is it made, exactly?
Here’s the answer…
Most testosterone is produced in the testes, with a small amount made in a gland that sits just above the kidney.
How are male sex hormones made?
Now that you know where testosterone is made, here's a little bit of science for you (concerning its production)...
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is something called a 'decapeptide'. It's produced in the hypothalamus and acts upon GnRH receptors located on the surface of gonadotropin cells in the pituitary gland. This process stimulates the release of the luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicular stimulating hormone (FSH).
The result? The production—and release—of testosterone by your testes.
As you can see, the main reproductive hormones work in harmony to produce testosterone, aiding sexual function (including healthy sperm production and maintaining a good libido) in the process.
But, how do male sex hormones (chiefly testosterone affect fertility?
Let's find out.
How do male sex hormones impact fertility?
Did you know? Studies suggest that if your T levels are healthy, one milliliter (mL) of semen contains around 15 to 20 million sperm. This quantity of sperm offers the best possible chance of reproducing during sexual intercourse.
But, if your testosterone levels are in decline, your sperm count is likely to be lower. In turn, you will be less fertile, which could make it hard to conceive.
Other common side effects of low T include erectile dysfunction and a low sex drive, which also contribute to overall male fertility.
So, if your sex hormones (testosterone in particular...it is the main sex hormone, after all) are off balance, your male fertility abilities could become an issue.
Read: Is low testosterone bad? (can you be healthy and have low testosterone) for more insider advice on the link between T levels and male health.
How to boost your testosterone levels: TestoPrime's top tips
Now that you know just how important male sex hormones are for fertility and general well-being, we're going to dig a little deeper into the subject of testosterone production.
Many men tend to overlook their hormonal health. But, with the right lifestyle and a little bit of knowledge, you can make a positive difference to your life.
So, if you want to maintain your hormonal health, boost those T levels and become more virile than a bodybuilding lion, read on.
Here are some top T-boosting tips just for you.
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)
First up, we have TRT. A form of male hormone replacement therapy, TRT is prescribed by a healthcare professional.
So, if your doctor or physician feels you could benefit from TRT, they'll give you the green light. TRT comes in the form of a regular injection, and while it's an efficient way of boosting your testosterone levels, there are some side effects you should know about.
These include...
- Poor erections
- Smaller testes
- Low energy levels
- Hot flushes
- Mood swings
- Weight gain
Read: Our full guide to TRT and how safe it is as a treatment to decide whether it's right for you before talking to our doctor.
Exercise the 'T-boosting' way
What? There are exercises that can actually boost your testosterone? Yes, there are, and we're going to talk about them in a moment.
But, first...
Did you know? Your testosterone levels rise naturally after a good workout. Even as little as 15 minutes of heart-boosting activity can see your T levels soar.
So, by getting more active and weaving more movement into your everyday life, your T levels will rise naturally.
And, as we said, if you really want to level up your T, there are specific resistance-style exercises you can do, like...
- Deadlifts
- Chin-ups
- Shoulder presses
- Deep squats
- Push-ups
- Full-body HIIT workouts
By weaving these explosive movements into your workout routine, you'll build more muscle and improve bone mass while stimulating testosterone production. A real win-win.
Read: Our full rundown of the best testosterone-boosting exercises and get your T levels where they need to be.
Eat the right foods
Coupled with exercise, eating right will elevate those all-important T levels. Yes, there are specific foods that can stimulate the production of testosterone.
But, before we get into that—let's look at the foods that could sap your T levels.
Foods to avoid
It's true. There are foods out there that won't help your reproductive hormones thrive. If you want to improve or maintain your hormone levels, here are some of the edible items you might want to avoid (or at least at moderately):
- Unnatural sugar
- Soy or soy-based products
- Vegetable oils
- Refined carbs
- Processed meats
- Booze
- Deep fried foods
- Certain nuts, including walnuts, peanuts, and pistachios
Read: Our essential guide to foods that reduce your testosterone for more insider information on what to avoid to maintain healthy T levels.
Foods to try
Now you know what T-sapping foods to avoid, let's take a look at what is on the menu. There are actually a host of pretty tasty nutrients that can help you maintain or even boost your T levels naturally.
When combined with the right exercise and a healthy balanced lifestyle, adding these foods to your weekly or daily mix will help you fight low testosterone.
These include...
- Citrus
- Leafy greens
- Honey
- Ginger
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Oysters
- Oats
- Fortified plant milk
Read: All about our definitive rundown of the top 20 T-boosting foods and weave whatever floats your culinary boat into your diet.
Try trusted supplements
Testosterone levels tend to fluctuate. But, with the right supplement, you can keep your sex hormones in the green and become more virile.
While there are many T boosters out there promising the earth, it's worth noting that not all of them are made equal.
By going with a supplement that's made from natural, tried, and tested ingredients, you can level up your T the right way.
A good supplement will complement your newfound healthier lifestyle and help you maintain your reproductive health.
And, we have just the thing.
Boost your T levels with TestoPrime
We're not fertility specialists, but we do know how to help you boost your testosterone levels.
So, if you're experiencing a lag and looking to level up your T levels, try TestoPrime. Convenient, powerful, and innovative, our increasingly popular supplement will turn back the clock on testosterone.
A daily dose of TestoPrime will keep your T-levels in the green, preserving your reproductive health while making you mentally sharp and bursting with energy.
Go get some.
