Does Red Light Therapy Increase Testosterone?

Low testosterone (Low-T) can leave you feeling fatigued, irritable, and disconnected from life.

Symptoms like reduced sex drive, loss of muscle mass, and even depression are common, affecting your confidence and daily functioning.

Ignoring it can worsen health issues like obesity and heart disease. But what if a simple, non-invasive solution like red light therapy could help boost your testosterone levels naturally? Keep reading to find out!

• Red Light Therapy Supports Testosterone: Using specific wavelengths (660nm & 850nm) may help boost testosterone naturally.
  
  

• Target the Right Areas: Exposing the testicles (for men) or thyroid/adrenal glands (for women) can maximize benefits.
  
  

• Timing Matters: Morning sessions boost energy, while evening use aids relaxation and sleep.
  
  

• Enhances Libido & Fertility: Improves circulation, hormone balance, and sperm health for better reproductive function.
  
  

• Combine with Lifestyle Changes: Strength training, quality sleep, and a nutrient-rich diet further support hormone balance.

Testosterone is a crucial hormone for both men and women, influencing muscle growth, bone strength, sex drive, mood, and energy levels.

In men, it’s mainly produced in the testes, while in women, the ovaries and adrenal glands create smaller amounts.

When levels drop, symptoms like fatigue, weakness, and mood swings can appear. Even though women have lower testosterone, it still plays a role in their overall well-being.

Low testosterone is common in men, affecting 10% to 40% of adults and 20% of young men (15-39 years old).

In women, it’s less studied but may affect up to 15% of postmenopausal women. It becomes more common with age, weight gain, and health issues.

Red light therapy can help regulate hormone levels, but using the right wavelengths is key to achieving optimal results.

The most effective range typically falls between 600nm and 900nm, with 660nm and 850nm being particularly beneficial.

The 660nm wavelength targets cells near the surface, while 850nm penetrates deeper, supporting mitochondrial function in hormone-producing cells.

Research on photobiomodulation suggests that wavelengths from 630nm (red light) to 950nm (near-infrared light) are highly effective, as they are well absorbed by the skin’s chromophores and help stimulate deeper collagen production, which may further support hormone regulation.

By combining both wavelengths, you can maximize the therapy's benefits and enhance overall effectiveness.

To get the most from red light therapy, it’s important to expose the right body areas. For men, targeting the testicles may support testosterone production, while the lower abdomen and back can also be beneficial.

Women may see improvements by exposing the thyroid, which regulates hormones, and the adrenal glands, which help manage stress and energy levels.

Both men and women may experience different responses to various exposures, whether from occupational hazards or environmental factors.

Men often face physical risks like noise and vibration, while women may encounter more psychological stressors, which can impact hormone balance.

This difference highlights how specific areas of the body might respond to red light therapy, making it important to tailor exposure to individual needs.

Full-body exposure is an option, but focusing on thinner skin areas like the neck or stomach can enhance absorption and results.

Timing red light therapy correctly can improve its effectiveness. Many people benefit from using it in the morning, as it increases circulation and boosts energy levels.

At night, red light therapy can also be helpful, as it promotes relaxation and improves sleep quality by stimulating melatonin production, making it easier to fall asleep and supporting a more balanced sleep cycle.

However, it's important to be mindful of when you use red light therapy, as studies have shown that long-term exposure to low-intensity red light at night may disrupt circadian rhythms and melatonin levels, potentially impacting overall health.

So, while evening use can support better sleep, consistency and careful timing are key to ensuring it aligns with your body's natural rhythms. The key to success is consistent use, whether in the morning, evening, or both.

Red light therapy may enhance libido and sexual function by promoting healthy circulation and supporting hormonal balance.

In men, it can help with erectile function by increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs.

Women may experience enhanced arousal due to improved circulation and hormonal support.

This therapy offers a natural way to address low libido by stimulating the body’s natural responses.

"The increased levels of testosterone explained the greater reported sexual satisfaction," says Prof Andrea Fagiolini, a renowned expert in psychiatric and neurological studies.

Approximately 43% of women and 31% of men experience sexual dysfunction, with low libido affecting about 30% of women and 15% of men.

Additionally, red light therapy has been shown to positively impact testosterone levels, sperm health, and hormone balance.

It stimulates nitric oxide production, which helps relax blood vessels, improving blood flow to the genital area and boosting both arousal and sexual performance.

While its effects on estrogen are still being studied, the therapy offers a holistic approach to improving sexual health.

Studies suggest red light therapy can improve sperm health by enhancing mitochondrial function, which powers sperm cells.

It may help increase sperm count, motility, and overall quality, offering a non-invasive way to support male fertility.

Research also shows that red light exposure boosts sperm motility without causing harmful oxidative DNA damage, making it a safe and effective method to enhance sperm quality and fertility.

Regular use of red light therapy can create a healthier environment for reproductive cells, leading to better fertility outcomes.

By improving blood circulation and boosting nitric oxide levels, red light therapy supports erectile function naturally.

It helps widen blood vessels, allowing better blood flow—an essential factor in achieving and maintaining strong erections.

Additionally, red light therapy stimulates testosterone production and reduces inflammation, further enhancing circulation and addressing the underlying causes of erectile dysfunction.

For the best results, it’s recommended to use red light therapy for 10-20 minutes per session, 3-5 times a week.

This approach can be particularly beneficial for men with diabetes, as it not only improves circulation but also helps reduce nerve damage, which can contribute to ED.

Pairing red light therapy with exercise boosts both performance and recovery by increasing energy production at the cellular level and supporting muscle repair.

When used after strength training, red light therapy helps reduce inflammation and speeds up muscle recovery, allowing for better workouts and faster results.

In addition to aiding recovery, it can also help prevent injuries by enhancing circulation and promoting tissue repair, which strengthens muscles and ligaments, making them more resilient to strain and damage.

For optimal recovery, it's most effective to apply red light therapy right after your workout, ideally within 10-20 minutes, when your muscles are primed to absorb its benefits and heal more efficiently.

Both red light therapy and supplements can support hormone balance, but they work differently.

Red light therapy may help optimize testosterone production by stimulating mitochondrial function and improving cellular energy production.

Some studies suggest it could influence hormone levels, but more research is needed to confirm its effects on dihydrotestosterone (DHT) regulation.

Meanwhile, supplements provide essential nutrients that play a direct role in hormone synthesis and balance.

Combining both approaches may support overall hormonal health, but individual results can vary.

Choosing the right red light therapy device is essential for maximizing the benefits of hormone optimization.

Look for a device with wavelengths between 660nm and 850nm, as these are most effective for hormone balance.

The power intensity or irradiance of the device also plays a crucial role; higher irradiance allows the light to penetrate deeper and work faster, enhancing the therapy’s effectiveness.

High-quality LEDs, adjustable settings, and consistent light output are critical features to consider.

The red light therapy device market in the health and wellness industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.8%, reaching $620 million by 2031 from $350 million in 2024, reflecting the rising consumer demand for non-invasive solutions like red light therapy.

Be cautious with devices that have short battery life, limited storage, or lack multiple light therapy options, as these can limit your treatment's effectiveness. Opt for trusted brands with positive reviews to ensure both safety and efficacy.

Most testosterone production occurs during deep sleep, making rest essential for maintaining healthy levels.

Poor sleep habits, blue light exposure, and irregular schedules can disrupt this process and lower testosterone.

Exposure to blue light, for example, has been shown to interfere with the natural hormonal balance by suppressing spermatogenesis and reducing testosterone levels, as well as its precursor, DHEAS.

This disruption can have significant effects on overall hormone health. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep in a dark, cool, and quiet environment to support optimal hormone production.

Incorporating red light therapy before bed can also be beneficial, as it helps boost melatonin production, allowing you to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, which is key to maintaining healthy testosterone levels.

Regular strength training and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can naturally boost testosterone.

Compound exercises like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses stimulate hormone release and help maintain optimal testosterone levels, particularly as men age.

However, it’s important to note that excessive exercise, especially when combined with low energy availability or overtraining, can have the opposite effect.

Studies show that intense and prolonged training can lower testosterone levels, disrupt the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, and even lead to hypogonadism in some athletes.

Balancing workout intensity and recovery is key to ensuring these benefits are sustained without negative impacts on hormone health.

A diet rich in key nutrients helps maintain testosterone levels. Foods like eggs, lean meats, leafy greens, and healthy fats from avocados and nuts support hormone production.

Incorporating a variety of nutrient-dense fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and proteins into your diet can further boost testosterone levels and promote overall hormone balance.

Minerals such as zinc and magnesium play a crucial role in maintaining hormonal balance.

Chronic stress raises cortisol levels, which can suppress testosterone production. When stress becomes prolonged, it can specifically interfere with testosterone synthesis by damaging the mitochondria in Leydig cells, leading to a significant decrease in testosterone levels.

Managing stress effectively through techniques like exercise, meditation, and relaxation not only helps lower cortisol but also supports a healthier hormonal balance, promoting overall well-being.

Excess body fat can lead to testosterone being converted into estrogen, which lowers overall testosterone levels.

A study analyzing data from the NHANES database found that higher body fat percentages, especially in men, are strongly linked to reduced testosterone levels.

Maintaining a healthy body composition through strength training and cardiovascular exercise helps manage body fat and supports optimal hormone production.

Additionally, intermittent fasting may complement these efforts by helping regulate testosterone levels.

According to a review, intermittent fasting can influence androgen markers like testosterone, and when combined with proper weight management, it might contribute to maintaining a healthy balance of this vital hormone.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) found in plastics, household cleaners, and personal care products can negatively impact testosterone levels.

Prolonged exposure to these chemicals, such as pesticides, heavy metals, and plastics like BPA, can also disrupt female reproductive health, leading to fertility challenges and hormonal imbalances.

A study by Rattan et al. (2017) highlights how these disruptors interfere with key reproductive processes, contributing to issues like subfertility and menstrual cycle irregularities.

Avoiding BPA, phthalates, and processed foods while using natural products and drinking filtered water can help reduce exposure to harmful chemicals.

Certain herbal supplements can enhance testosterone production naturally.

Ashwagandha reduces stress, fenugreek helps prevent testosterone from converting into estrogen, and tongkat ali has been linked to increased libido and muscle growth.

Choosing high-quality sources and consulting a healthcare professional can maximize the benefits.