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As you know, adequate sleep positively impacts our physical and mental health, including hormone regulation. But if you’re not getting enough sleep like most people, you need to be mindful of the effects on your health and testosterone levels, especially if you feel less confident and feel your libido decrease.
But, how does sleep affect testosterone levels? Does low testosterone affect sleep? Does lack of sleep affect testosterone?
Today, we’ll explore the several relationships between sleep and testosterone levels and discuss natural solutions to improve your sleep and testosterone.
How Testosterone Affects the Body
Does sleep affect testosterone levels? Does low testosterone affect sleep? Does lack of sleep affect testosterone? These three questions are intertwined and have the same answer: yes!
But before we dive in, how does testosterone play a role in the body?
Testosterone is an essential hormone in the human body, especially for men. The hormone occurs in larger quantities in men and is responsible for the development and maintenance of the male body.In men, testosterone production begins as early as seven weeks after birth.
Testosterone levels in men rise during teenage years, peak in late teenage years, and slowly decline as they age.Testosterone is the primary hormone for developing the male reproductive system and sexuality, and its vital roles include the following:
- The growth of facial and pubic hair in puberty
- Muscle and strength development
- Bone mass and density
- Sex drive and libido
- Sperm production
- Development of the male sex organ
- Deepening of the voice during puberty
When Testosterone Levels Are Low
As men age, the production of testosterone declines in their bodies. Researchers say this decline in testosterone levels is gradual and occurs at 1% to 2% yearly. This is because the testes produce less testosterone as there are fewer signals from the pituitary gland to make testosterone.
At age 45, most men have lower testosterone production levels than average. The effects of low testosterone in the male body include:
- Loss of body hair, including baldness
- Low libido, reduced sperm count, erectile dysfunction, and impotence
- Irritability, lack of concentration, and depression
- Loss of muscle mass
- Decreased bone mass and density.
Does Sleep Affect Testosterone Levels in Men?
Sleep is essential to living healthily, and sleep deprivation negatively affects many parts of our health, including hormone levels.
So, does sleep affect testosterone levels? Yes. In fact, several studies have examined the link between sleep and testosterone levels and found a clear relationship between them.
Sleep on Testosterone
According to this study, testosterone production peaks during sleep and is closely related to the circadian rhythm that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. The study also found that men who slept for less than five hours per night had significantly lower testosterone levels than those who slept for seven to eight hours.
In another study on the effect of sleep deprivation on testosterone levels in men, the researchers found that their testosterone levels dropped by around 10-15% when deprived of sleep for just one night. This suggests that even short-term sleep deprivation can harm testosterone production.
So, does sleeping increase testosterone? Yes, sleep is so important for testosterone levels. One reason is that our body produces testosterone during deep sleep. When we don’t get enough deep sleep, our bodies may be unable to produce enough testosterone.
Also, lack of sleep can increase levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can interfere with testosterone production.
Testosterone on Sleep
Another important question about the relationship between sleep and testosterone is, does low testosterone affect sleep? Yes, low testosterone levels can also affect sleep. According to the American Urological Association, tiredness and fatigue are also symptoms of low testosterone.
Researchers observed that low testosterone levels lead to poor sleep, further lowering testosterone levels. Also, men with low testosterone levels suffer sleep disturbances, such as insomnia or sleep apnea.
The Link Between Testosterone and Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control, sleep disorders affect between 50 to 70 million adult Americans.
Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing is interrupted during sleep, leading to interruptions in overall sleep quality.There are different types of sleep apnea, but the most common is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which occurs when the muscles at the back of the throat fail to keep the airway open, leading to snoring, choking, or gasping for air during sleep, restless sleep, and excessive daytime sleepiness.
Studies have found that men with severe sleep apnea have lower testosterone levels than men without the condition. Also, men with sleep apnea have a higher prevalence of hypogonadism, in which the body doesn’t produce enough testosterone.
So, what’s the link between the production of testosterone and sleep apnea? The theory is that repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep can cause a drop in oxygen levels in the body. This can lead to an increase in the stress hormone cortisol and a decrease in testosterone production.
Over time, this can result in symptoms such as decreased muscle mass, fatigue, and a decreased sex drive.If you suspect you have sleep apnea, consult with a medical professional.
Testosterone and Sleep Apnea: Are There Treatments?
Does lack of sleep affect testosterone, and can you treat it? The good news is that you can treat sleep apnea. Treatment options may include lifestyle changes like losing weight or quitting smoking.
Other medical interventions for treating sleep apnea include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy or oral appliances that help keep the airway open during sleep. In addition, surgery is sometimes necessary to correct underlying issues causing sleep apnea.
Remember, the answer to the question, “does lack of sleep affect testosterone?” is yes, and sleep apnea is just one way the absence of quality sleep can impact your testosterone levels.
Natural Ways to Get Better Sleep
Sleep impacts your overall health and well-being; poor sleeping patterns harm your daily life.Several disorders, including low testosterone, stress, fatigue, and irritability, are associated with poor sleeping patterns.
Adults need up to 7 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep for adequate rest, but most people suffer from interrupted sleep.
Fortunately, you can improve your sleep quality using the following natural tips:
- Stick to a regular sleep schedule: Sleeping and waking up at the same time daily, even on weekends, help you maintain a healthy sleep pattern.
- Create a relaxing environment: A peaceful and calming bedroom promotes restful sleep. Keeping your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep throughout the night.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol: These beverages contain stimulants that can keep you awake and disrupt sleep.
- Limit your screen time before bed: The blue light from electronic devices reduces melatonin production and makes sleeping harder. It’s advisable to turn off your screen 1 hour before bed and keep your devices out of your bedroom.
- Try relaxation techniques: Relaxation techniques like deep breathing, yoga, or meditation can help you relax and sleep better.
- Exercise regularly: Physical activity improves your overall health and well-being. It also helps you sleep better at night.
- Skip naps: Long daytime naps might affect your sleep pattern making it harder to sleep at night.
Can Medical Marijuana Help You Sleep Better?
Millions of people suffer from sleep disorders that make falling or staying asleep difficult. While traditional sleep aids can be effective, they may have unwanted side effects.
This has led some people to seek alternative solutions — including medical marijuana for sleep.
So, can you use medical marijuana for sleep? Let’s explore the use of medical marijuana for sleep and how it may affect your sleep patterns.
According to this study, participants reported that medical marijuana has helped them sleep better. The active compounds in marijuana, mainly THC and CBD, have been found to have soothing effects that can help induce sleep. THC, in particular, has been shown to reduce the time it takes to fall asleep and increase total sleep time.
However, it’s worth noting that the effects of medical marijuana on sleep can vary from person to person. Some people may find that it helps them sleep better. In contrast, others may experience little side effects, such as increased anxiety or disrupted sleep, depending on the medical marijuana strain used and the interaction with other drugs.
Getting Your Medical Marijuana Card With Elevate Holistics
The use of medical marijuana can sometimes be complicated, especially if you don’t have appropriate information about the laws in the state you reside.So, before you start consuming medical marijuana for sleep, you must seek professional advice on how to start or obtain your MMJ card in your state.
Elevate Holistics, our partner company, is a team of licensed medical marijuana professionals that are committed to improving their clients’ health. They help patients evaluate their conditions and issue a medical marijuana recommendation if appropriate.
Click here to find out if you qualify and start your medical marijuana journey.
Improve Your Sleep and Testosterone with Craft Men's Clinic
There’s a link between testosterone and sleep apnea, so getting enough quality sleep is crucial for testosterone production and overall health – sleep disorders have several adverse physical and mental effects, and low testosterone levels negatively impact your confidence and libido.
Notice a decrease in your libido? Do you think stress or your weight is affecting your sleep pattern? Craft Men's Clinic is here to help.
At Craft Men's Clinic, we are committed to helping men restore their confidence by providing personalized services and solutions that improve their sexual health.
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