From the Guidelines
To naturally increase your testosterone, maintaining a healthy lifestyle through weight loss, increased physical activity, and other lifestyle modifications is crucial. According to the American Urological Association guideline 1, men with testosterone deficiency should be counseled on lifestyle modifications as a treatment strategy, which has the potential to increase total testosterone levels and reduce signs and symptoms associated with testosterone deficiency.
Key Lifestyle Modifications
- Losing weight or maintaining weight within the recommended range
- Increasing physical activity
Importance of Weight Management
High body mass index coupled with low testosterone can put patients at risk for cardiovascular events, emphasizing the need for weight loss programs, especially for those who are overweight or obese, concurrent with testosterone therapy 1.
Additional Recommendations
While the guideline primarily focuses on weight loss and physical activity, other factors such as proper nutrition, adequate sleep, and stress management are also important for overall health and may indirectly support testosterone production. Ensuring a balanced diet, getting sufficient sleep, and managing stress through relaxation techniques can contribute to a healthy hormonal environment. However, the most direct and evidence-supported approach for naturally increasing testosterone, as per the guideline, is through lifestyle modifications related to weight and physical activity 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The action of HCG is virtually identical to that of pituitary LH, although HCG appears to have a small degree of FSH activity as well. It stimulates production of gonadal steroid hormones by stimulating the interstitial cells (Leydig cells) of the testis to produce androgens The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Natural Methods to Increase Testosterone
- Regular aerobic exercise has been shown to increase serum testosterone levels in overweight/obese men 2
- Increasing vigorous physical activity is independently associated with increased serum total testosterone levels 2
- Dietary adjuncts such as DHEA and herbal remedies like Tribulus terrestris may also be effective in improving libido, energy, and physical performance 3
Medical Treatments to Increase Testosterone
- Testosterone supplementation therapy can improve serum total testosterone levels and overall satisfaction in men with hypogonadism 4
- Clomiphene citrate is an effective treatment for hypogonadism, increasing serum testosterone levels and improving symptoms 4, 5, 6
- Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is also effective in restoring testosterone levels in men with hypogonadism 5
Specific Treatments and Their Effects
- A daily dose of 25 mg clomiphene citrate can stimulate endogenous testosterone production and improve sexual function and quality of life in men with low testosterone levels 6
- Testosterone injections and gels can increase serum testosterone levels, with injections resulting in higher levels than gels 4
- Clomiphene citrate and hCG can be used alone or in combination to restore testosterone levels in men with hypogonadism, with similar efficacy 5