Stress has many negative health consequences, including lowering testosterone levels and impairing spermatogenesis.
Although every person experiences emotional or physical stress periodically, it’s the prolonged periods that are more detrimental.
The body’s main stress hormone is called ‘cortisol’. It falls under the hormone class ‘glucocorticoid’. Cortisol is produced in the adrenal glands.
A study by Nassef et al. (2018)1 found that stress induced in Wistar rats lowered testosterone levels.
Arun et al. (2016)2 found that stress in rats significantly reduced testosterone levels as well as a particular testicular protein. The total weight of the rat's testes was significantly reduced too.
A study by Daly et al. (2005)3 proved a link between lower testosterone levels and elevated cortisol levels in humans post-endurance exercise.
During an educational course, Freuz et al. (1972)4 found that young men’s testosterone levels were significantly lower “during the early, stressful part of the course”.
Aakvaag et al. (1978)5 found that the increased cortisol levels of 8 young men through prolonged physical and psychological stress negatively impacted on their testosterone levels. Their levels dropped on average from 560 ng/dL to 90 ng/dL.
Eating healthily - can help balance hormone levels
Reduce alcohol consumption
Regular exercise
Quit using tobacco and nicotine products
Practicing relaxation techniques such as mindfulness, meditation & progressive muscle relaxation
Removing stress triggers
Setting realistic goals & expectations
Normalization of serum corticosterone, testosterone levels, and testicular estrogen receptor-α expression in Wistar rats subjected to restraint stress — Beneficial effects of olive oil supplementation
Link - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452014418300190#bb0035
Changes of testicular phosphorylated proteins in response to restraint stress in male rats
Link - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1631/jzus.B1500174
Relationship between stress hormones and testosterone with prolonged endurance exercise
Link - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00421-004-1223-1
Suppression of Plasma Testosterone Levels and Psychological Stress: A Longitudinal Study of Young Men in Officer Candidate School
Link - https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/490664
Testosterone and Testosterone Binding Globulin (TeBG) in Young Men during Prolonged Stress
Link - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2605.1978.tb00573.x
Stress: 10 Ways to Ease Stress
Link - https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/8133-stress-10-ways-to-ease-stress