Testosterone and Sleep
Testosterone is the primary male hormone responsible for male characteristics. Its levels decrease with insufficient sleep, significantly impacting male sexual and reproductive behavior. It also plays crucial roles in muscle strength, bone density, and feelings of happiness in men.
Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Testosterone Levels:
A study conducted on students, starting at 8 AM, divided into phases:
▪️ Phase 1: Control
▪️ Phase 2: Sleep deprivation for 24 hours
▪️ Phase 3: Sleep deprivation for 48 hours
▪️ Phase 4: Recovery after two days of sleep deprivation
The study (https://goo.gl/Y44Gf6) observed significant effects on anabolic hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, DHT, and cortisol, as well as on pituitary hormones like prolactin.
Results:
▪️ Testosterone decreased by approximately 30% in the first 24 hours of sleep deprivation, while LH, FSH, and cortisol showed no significant changes.
▪️ Extending deprivation to 48 hours showed a notable increase in prolactin levels, stimulating Leydig cells that produce testosterone, thereby maintaining androgen synthesis.
From these findings, it’s evident that sleep is crucial for testosterone secretion.
Another study (https://goo.gl/hBCk1Z) compared individuals who adapted to change with those who did not, measuring their blood samples before and after. It found that morning testosterone levels were lower in non-adapting individuals compared to those unaffected by work-related changes.
Testosterone peaks during sleep, whether at night or during the day.
Wakefulness, whether at night or during the day, reduces testosterone levels.
A study (https://goo.gl/yiZK2M) found that interrupted sleep minimally affects testosterone secretion.
Conclusion on the Hormonal Impact of Sleep:
Reduced hours of sleep significantly lower testosterone secretion (https://goo.gl/HFcEiy), with an observed decrease from 8 hours to 5 hours showing reduced testosterone levels.
In summary:
Sleep is essential for testosterone secretion and maintaining its levels.
Sleepiness, whether during the night or day, enhances testosterone secretion.
Sleep deprivation significantly reduces testosterone secretion, especially with 24-hour deprivation causing a 30% decrease.
Intermittent sleep has minimal impact on testosterone secretion.
Reduced sleep hours or sleep deprivation leads to lower testosterone secretion.
