Similar to monthly hormonal cycles that many cisgender women experience, cis men also experience hormone cycling with testosterone, a masculinizing sex hormone. Rather than monthly cycles, though, testosterone levels may go through daily fluctuations as well as changes with age.
Testosterone is an important reproductive hormone that has many roles in cisgender men’s bodies, including helping with the development of male sex characteristics and the production of sperm.
Your testosterone levels are not steady throughout the day. Testosterone levels are typically highest in the morning and then taper off throughout the day. That’s why you may feel more energized or have a higher sex drive when you wake up.
While they may change on a 24-hour basis, testosterone levels maintain their normal fluctuations throughout the year, without monthly or seasonal changes or cycles.
Like women going through perimenopause and menopause, men also experience hormonal changes with age. Your testosterone levels generally start to decrease in your 30s. This decline is sometimes referred to as andropause.
Testosterone levels decrease gradually, at a rate of about 1% per year over the next decade. This is dissimilar to menopause, which typically brings about a more rapid change in fertility.
A reduction in testosterone with age is normal. Someone who is 60 years old will likely have lower testosterone levels than someone who is 20 years old.
Other Factors Influencing Testosterone Over Time
In addition to age, some lifestyle factors and pre-existing health conditions may also impact your testosterone. For example, a high-stress lifestyle can increase your levels of cortisol, a stress-related hormone, and reduce your testosterone.
Health conditions like obesity and hypothyroidism (reduced thyroid function) may also lower your testosterone levels.
Testosterone is an important hormone that helps with building healthy muscle, fertility, maintaining energy, and other functions. Low testosterone, which affects about 40% of men over the age of 45, can cause a variety of symptoms and put you at greater risk for certain health conditions.
Some symptoms of low testosterone may include:
While it’s normal for testosterone to dip with age, you can speak with a healthcare provider about any symptoms of low testosterone that bother you. Your healthcare provider may be able to help with treatment for low testosterone.
If your testosterone levels are normal for your age, a doctor can also help explore other causes of your symptoms, such as depression, low thyroid function, or other health concerns.
If you’re concerned about your hormone levels, there are a few things you can do to help manage them naturally. Some tips that may help include:
- Get enough high-quality sleep every day
- Manage your stress levels
- Eat a balanced diet that supports your health goals
- Get enough regular exercise
You may also consider talking to a healthcare provider about testosterone replacement therapy to balance your hormone levels if you have low testosterone.
It’s important to supplement with testosterone only under the supervision of a doctor so you take the correct dosage—having too much testosterone may increase your risk of health problems like an enlarged prostate, blood clots, cardiovascular disease, and high cholesterol.
Testosterone follows a daily cycle, peaking in the morning and declining throughout the day. Levels naturally decrease with age, starting around age 30. Stress, poor sleep, and certain health conditions can also lower testosterone, causing symptoms such as low libido, fatigue, increased body fat, and reduced muscle strength.
