6 “Masculine” Behaviors That Are Tanking Your Testosterone Levels

The truth is there is a lot of confusion when it comes to testosterone, the most powerful male hormone out there. Perhaps, you can consider being an ‘emotional stone wall’ and eating ‘steaks’, or the constant attempts to outdo your buddies as the way to reach for the T-levels stardom.

But they are not.

Indeed, there may be activities once considered as ‘manly’ actually doing your testosterone levels a disservice.

It is time to bust some misconceptions and discuss six ‘masculine’ behaviors actually detrimental to hormonal well-being.

#1. Pulling all-night

In this Society Men are always being weighed by what they have achieved. They also say you have to work day and night to succeed and one has to work hard to make the family happy.

This I remember from my school days, my parents also used to tell me, “If you want to be top in your class, then you have to work day and night.”

But it is totally wrong.

At the beginning of my med and pre med I was the who pull up all the night and hardly getting sleep of 4–5 hours.

But here is the reality. This may well be taking testosterone down without the person even being aware of it.

This is because; chronic sleep deprivation is a testosterone killer.

Testosterone is primarily produced in your body during the periods of deep sleep. If you do not get your beauty sleep, you are denying yourself the opportunity to produce more T’s.

Fix it: It is important to get sleep of ateast 7–8 our, whatever is your profession. It will also be beneficial for your testosterone (and general well-being).

#2. Overtraining at the Gym

Oh man! you also get tired so soon too? Aren’t you able to go for one more round to the gym?

It is however important to understand everyone has a different capacity.

If you are doing regular exercise up to the limit, then it enhances the level of testosterone.

Nonetheless, it is possible to overdo the training, which will have the exact opposite effect on its participants. Prolonged endurance training or too frequent HIIT can result in chronically elevated cortisol levels and, as we’ve seen, this is not good news for testosterone.

Fix it: It’s important to have balanced exercise program. Rest and give your body a day or two off and also make sure you change your training intensity. Rarely have so many gotten away with so little.

#3. Drinking Like a “Man”

‘If you are a man, you knock this full glass of vodka in one gulp.’

While you may be able to down pints or shots, this may get you some sort of boast within the bar, but your testosterone is low. In particular, alcohol in large quantities affects testosterone and increases estrogen. Beer belly is not only a beauty disaster — it is a symbol of hormonal dysfunction.

Fix it: it’s all about the limit and moderation. If you do decide to consume alcohol then it should only be done in moderation and only occasionally. It will be good for your liver, your waistline and even your testosterone levels.

#4. Your Leather Obsession

Young males during their college days we are so obsessed with this leather fashion, as far as my knowledge is concerned. They show like, it is composed of “It’s real leather bro”

Special leather jacket you always loved might be doing more than enhancing your outlook — it could be reducing your testosterone. A variety of leather articles contain chemicals with endocrine disrupting properties, especially phthalates. These chemicals can affect the normal hormonal balance in the body if you come across them frequently through your skin or through breathing in.

Fix it: Use natural vegetable tanned leather or look for the other options possible. Your testosterone as well as a few animals will certainly be grateful.

#5. Your Beard Grooming Routine

Sure, perfectly groomed facial hair is possibly your crowning glory.

But there are beard care products have lavender and tea tree oils. These ingredients, even though appear to be natural, are known to have estrogenic activity which is quite dangerous to the hormone balance.

Fix it: Just make sure you are reading those ingredient labels. Avoid the products contain the hormone-disrupting chemicals. At other times, it can even be a more basic ritual, and one is healthier for your beard and your testosterone.

#6. Avoiding the Doctor

Men, especially real men, do not require check-ups or even visits to the health care providers, is what many people believe. Wrong. Not getting your testes checked regularly means you could go through changes will reduce your testosterone levels without knowing it due to other diseases such as diabetes or thyroid disease. Besides, you are deprived of important information concerning your state of health in general.

Fix it: Grow some and get annual check-up scheduled. It is always empowering to be informed especially when it comes to the state of your health.

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Real men don’t act like what was expected from them by the society of the 50s and 60s, real men are responsible for their bodies, and souls.

Just because one wants to be a manly man it does not mean one should also neglect his health. It is the most masculine to look at the overall picture, make conscious decisions and build the necessary habits will lead to the hormonal health in the future.

Your physical health, your social well-being, and your later self will not be cursed for leaving the testosterone-depleting habits.

Here’s to the new version of masculinity will not harm us but empower us instead!

Don’t forget to share your opinion. I would like to read your POVs…

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I hope you enjoyed reading. This blog post comes from what I’ve learned, what I think, and what I believe. Sign up for my Medium newsletter.

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This post was previously published on medium.com.

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