Does Testosterone Make You Last Longer in Bed?
Written by Ben Bunting: BA, PGCert. (Sport & Exercise Nutrition) // British Army Physical Training Instructor // S&C Coach.
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The hormone testosterone is what makes you grow from a timid teen to an assertive, confident man. You will go from being a shy teen into a manly, confident and assertive example.
As you reach your 30s, your body begins to naturally slow the production of vital androgens.
What is the result? Slowly, you will gain belly fat and lose muscle.
What can you do?
You can transform your life by knowing how to keep testosterone levels high.
In this article, we will examine the link between bedroom performance and hormones.
Testosterone Makes You a Man
The testes naturally release a steroid called Testosterone into the bloodstream. This anabolic androgenic hormone is not only responsible for masculinity but also helps to synthesize energy in the form of muscle mass and bones.
What is the function of testosterone?
A complex set of events is triggered when your body detects the need for more testosterone. These are controlled by a system called the hypothalamic-pititary-gonadal (HPG) axis feedback loop.
Here are some of the key points to remember:
The first step is for a part of your brain called the hypothalamus to kick start T production by producing a hormone called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
The pituitary hormone is the alarm clock of another brain part called the GnRH. GnRH awakens the next hormone, luteinizing (LH).
LH works a bit like a messenger with long-haul deliveries. LH must carry a message to the testes of the brain, which is a very long distance.
Leydig cells are produced when the testes, after receiving LH, recognize that their body wants more T.
After T has entered your bloodstream, it must find a place to live. Androgen receptors are responsible for grabbing any T in the bloodstream and pushing it to the cells that need it.
This is a complicated system, but it can be very rewarding if you get the most out of this hormone.
Anabolic androgenic characteristics
Your body will undergo a number of changes as you enter your teen years. This is puberty.
- You can get larger testes, penis and genital organs
- Your voice gets deeper
- The first body hairs begin to appear
- Your height increases rapidly when you reach peak height velocity
- You get stronger, your shoulders become wider and you gain muscle mass.
Testosterone Levels Naturally Decrease with Age
Your T levels begin to fall as you reach the age of 30. This happens at a rate of 2% a year. Research shows that up to 40% of older men suffer symptoms of low testosterone which is often referred to as andropause, or in extreme cases; hypogonadism.
By the time you reach 60 years old, this number has risen to well above 50%.
Low T symptoms include:
- Muscle, bone and strength loss
- The occurrence of a'man-boob' and an increase in abdominal fat
- Risk of metabolic and cardiovascular disease
- Sexual performance loss and low libido
- Low T can lead to poorer health, decreased physical performance, and cognitive impairment.
The biggest effect is on the bedroom - a lack of sex desire, decreased physical performance and a nonexistent love life. It also brings with it a lot of anxiety and worry.
Can Testosterone Help Improve Sexual Performance?
A higher level of testosterone results in an increased libido.
When T levels drop, you may find it difficult to want to have sexual relations. When your T levels are low, you'll feel constantly tired and low in energy. The last thing on the mind will be spending intimate time with your lover.
There has been much research on the link between low T levels and poor sexual drive.
One of the largest studies revealed that "there is a significant relationship between testosterone, sexual function and mood" [1].
Increase T to enhance sexual performance
A study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine[2] looked at men who have hypogonadism, or low levels of T. It also examined their sexual function and desire.
Researchers recruited men who had low T. On average, they were aged 58 and suffered decreased sexual desire around four years.
Each of the men received testosterone-boosting supplementation until their free T levels were back to normal (this took only 6-8 weeks).
The men were asked to rate their sexual desire 24 weeks after the start of the study, using a system known as the International Index of Erectile Function.
The results of the study were shocking. Over 50% of men also reported improved erectile functions.
Stronger erections
Elevating testosterone can help with both your libido, sexual desire and physical health. It doesn't really matter how badly you want something if you can't 'put it in place'.
According to a study published in the Journal Reviews in Urology, [3], there is a clear correlation between low testosterone and erectile problems.
Researchers concluded in a comprehensive and detailed report that hypogonadism was the likely culprit of erectile dysfunction. But that treatment with testosterone-boosting supplements would help sexual function return to normal.
Erections are clearly testosterone-dependent, as evidenced by the observation that men with hypogonadism have a marked reduction in the frequency, amplitude, and rigidity of erections
T improves erection power and symptoms associated with erectile dysfunction.
The key point: Fixing testosterone levels can increase your sexual performance, libido and erection power.
Can You Correct Your Testosterone Levels?
There are some studies which suggest that although T levels decrease with age, it's not age that is the cause. It could be that poor nutrition and lack of exercise is what is doing this [4].
It is more probable that men's testosterone levels are lower due to behavioral or health changes rather than aging. It's a good thing, because while you cannot control your age, you can change your lifestyle.
By managing lifestyle and health factors, the age-related decline in hormones can be slowed down.
You can drastically increase your testosterone by changing your diet and lifestyle.
Don't just accept that your hormones are decreasing as a result of aging. Change your lifestyle now to reap benefits for life.
Military Muscle
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This muscle-building, libido boosting supplement has been thoroughly researched and is optimally dosed. It will help you to break down the testosterone barriers in your body and speed up your progress both at the gym and outside.
- Increase protein synthesis to build new muscle.
- Strengthen your muscles and smash all of your records
- Get lean and lose body fat by reducing excess fat
- Motivate yourself and achieve your goals
References
- Travison, TG et al. The relationship between libido and testosterone levels in aging men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006; 91(7): 2509-13
- Yassin, AA et al. Improvement of sexual function in men with late-onset hypogonadism treated with testosterone only. J Sex Med. 2007; 4(2): 497-501
- Rajfer, J. Relationship Between Testosterone and Erectile Dysfunction. Rev Urol. 2000; 2(2): 122–128
- Travison, TG et al. The relative contributions of aging, health, and lifestyle factors to serum testosterone decline in men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007; 92(2): 549-55