Can Testosterone Help with Stress and Energy Levels?

January 27, 2025

4 mins

Stress can increase from sudden traumatic events, hormonal changes, burnout, and relationship issues. When you’re in high-stress situations, it can change you physically just as much as it influences your mental health. 

While stress is a normal part of the human experience, too much stress can increase your risk of developing certain health conditions. Hypogonadism — not producing enough sex hormones — is often associated with increased levels of stress, low energy levels, and low testosterone.

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What is Testosterone?

Testosterone is a naturally occurring hormone in the body responsible for many bodily functions associated with male features. For example, testosterone is responsible for puberty, producing body hair, red blood cell production, and sexual arousal.

What Causes Low Testosterone Levels?

Testosterone levels gradually decline in men as they age. Most men over the age of 40 experience low testosterone levels. Overtraining the body with too much exercise can lead to low testosterone levels. Weight training too much can be unhealthy and stress out your body. 

Other potential causes of low testosterone include:

• Chronic obesity

• Trouble sleeping

• Neurological complications

• Testicular cancer

• Neurological tumors

How Does Stress Change the Brain?

One study found that an increase in cortisol levels lowered testosterone levels in those with type 2 diabetes. The neurological system often experiences many changes from stress. 

An increase in stress also leads to an increase in cortisol levels in the brain. Cortisol is responsible for many bodily functions — including alertness and control of your appetite. 

What Effect Does Low Testosterone Have on Men?

Low levels of testosterone can lead to many symptoms often associated with chronic health conditions. 

Common symptoms of low testosterone include:

• Fatigue

• Decrease in muscle mass

• Anxiety

• Low libido

• Erectile dysfunction

• Depression

Many of these symptoms are also associated with experiencing a lot of stress. For example, feeling stressed can lead to fatigue. Fatigue can make it seem as if you don’t have enough energy to last throughout the day.

Does Testosterone Increase Energy Levels?

Low energy levels are one of the most common symptoms associated with low testosterone. Many older men may move slower or engage in less physical activity while experiencing low testosterone levels because of low energy levels.

Long-term hypogonadism can lead to bone weakness and fatigue. Tiredness from low testosterone levels continues even when a person gets enough sleep. Not having a lot of energy can contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression.

In women, low levels of testosterone can also lead to mood swings. Both men and women may see an increase in irritability and depressive symptoms if they have low energy with reduced testosterone.

Over time, fatigue can put a strain on relationships with loved ones. Eating healthy foods and engaging in regular exercise can reduce the risk of men experiencing low testosterone levels earlier in life.

How Does Stress Influence Testosterone?

Chronic stress leads to low testosterone levels that can negatively influence your health. The relationship between stress and testosterone is complex. 

Stress can be both the cause and result of low testosterone levels. Some studies have found that stress increases testosterone levels, while others have found that an increase in cortisol levels from stress reduces testosterone in the body. However, there are methods that may help better manage stress and reduce the risk of low testosterone levels.

When you feel yourself getting stressed out, take deep breaths. Going for a walk or taking a few minutes for yourself everyday can help lower stress.

How Do You Treat Low Testosterone Levels?

It’s important to lead a healthy lifestyle to prevent testosterone levels from dropping. Before giving you medication for treatment, a healthcare provider will first ask you about your symptoms and habits. 

They may recommend changing your diet or getting more exercise before giving you medication. Eating a balanced diet can help you keep testosterone levels in a normal range. 

Health experts recommend avoiding foods that are high in sugar, fat, or heavily processed. These foods may negatively influence your health and cause you to feel more tired in the middle of the day. 

It’s also important to avoid excessively drinking alcohol and smoking tobacco. Another good habit to incorporate into your life is going to sleep at the same time every day.

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may help improve energy levels in men. Testosterone replacement therapy is the process of distributing man-made testosterone into the body. This type of treatment may increase mood and energy levels in men.

Other benefits of testosterone therapy include:

• Strong bone density

• Cognitive improvement 

• Increase in strength

• Higher libido

TRT can distribute testosterone in multiple ways — including a gel, patch, implant, or injection. All of these methods are effective in supplying  testosterone to the body. However, some methods may work slightly faster than others.

How Rex MD Can Help

With the Rex MD TestoRx program, you’ll have access to quality care from a team of licensed clinicians and testosterone solutions, if appropriate.

To find out if the program is right for you, just answer some about your symptoms and medical history. Your provider will order lab work for you to help determine if you’re eligible for testosterone injections or another treatment option.

Then, you’ll be able to schedule a virtual call with the Rex MD care team to further discuss your results, eligibility, and which treatment option would be most suitable for you, if any.

Get started today on taking the first step toward feeling like yourself again.