Does Tadalafil Increase Testosterone?

Tadalafil is a popular medication for erectile dysfunction. Tadalafil is more widely recognized under the brand name Cialis. This medication is approved to treat erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and pulmonary artery hypertension. But does tadalafil increase testosterone levels? There has been increased interest in the effects of tadalafil on testosterone levels in men and people assigned male at birth. Testosterone is an important hormone that regulates libido, muscle mass, mood, energy levels, and erectile function. Low levels of testosterone may affect how well tadalafil works for erectile dysfunction. When considering the tadalafil effect on testosterone, you'll find that some studies have shown modest improvements in testosterone levels in people using tadalafil daily.

What Is Tadalafil and How Is It Used?

Tadalafil is a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. There are several medications in this class. Also known as Cialis, providers use this medication to treat erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and pulmonary artery hypertension.

Tadalafil Indications

Healthcare providers may recommend tadalafil to treat several conditions. The most common use for tadalafil is erectile dysfunction. When used for erectile dysfunction, the medication can be used as needed or daily. Tadalafil is also used for benign prostatic hyperplasia and pulmonary artery hypertension. If used for these indications, it is generally dosed daily in varying doses.

Tadalafil Doses

Tadalafil has several available doses. Lower dose tadalafil, usually doses of 2.5mg or 5mg, is usually dosed daily for benign prostatic hyperplasia or erectile dysfunction. The 5mg dose is sometimes used as needed in people who cannot take or do not tolerate higher doses. The 10mg dose is usually taken as needed for erectile dysfunction, while the 20mg dose can be used as needed for erectile dysfunction or daily for pulmonary artery hypertension. The 40mg dose is usually used daily for pulmonary arterial hypertension.

How Does Tadalafil Work?

Tadalafil relaxes smooth muscles in the small blood vessels of the body by blocking the PDE-5 enzyme. This improves blood flow through nitric oxide pathways by dilating blood vessels and allowing more blood to flow through them. In the penis, this improves erections. In people with pulmonary arterial hypertension, tadalafil can lower blood pressure in the lungs and reduce the workload on the heart. When tadalafil is taken daily, it usually takes 3-5 days to reach a steady dose in the body. If taken as needed, it may start to take effect within 30-60 minutes. For higher doses of tadalafil used for pulmonary arterial hypertension, improvement is usually seen by 16 weeks.

What Are the Side Effects of Tadalafil?

There are several potential side effects of tadalafil. Some of these include:

• Heartburn or indigestion
• Back pain
• Headaches
• Muscle pain
• Flushing
• Prolonged erection
• Low blood pressure
• Nasal congestion

Tadalafil can last up to 36 hours, so it is important not to take it more often than prescribed, as higher doses may increase the risk of side effects. You should talk to your healthcare provider about how often to take tadalafil, as multiple health conditions can affect how long it lasts.

Does Tadalafil Increase Testosterone?

Testosterone is the primary androgen hormone in men and people assigned male at birth. Scientists have good reason to believe that there is a direct link between PDE-5 inhibitors such as tadalafil and testosterone. Testosterone directly controls how much PDE-5 is present and how active it is in the tissues of the penis. This is one reason why healthcare providers will often check testosterone levels in people who have erectile dysfunction, especially people who are not responding to PDE-5 inhibitors such as tadalafil. Does Cialis work with low testosterone? Yes, but it may not work as well as it does for people with normal testosterone levels. In people who have low testosterone and erectile dysfunction, replacing testosterone may improve how effective medications such as tadalafil are at improving erections. Low testosterone means less PDE-5, so there is less for the PDE-5 inhibitor to block. Testosterone levels naturally decrease with age, and the incidence of erectile dysfunction increases with age. A 2017 study evaluated the effects of once-daily tadalafil at 5mg on testosterone levels and found that both testosterone levels and erectile dysfunction increased after 3 months of use. An older study from 2006 examined total and free testosterone, as well as estradiol levels. This study examined as-needed doses of tadalafil (10-20 mg) over 12 months. This study found a change in the testosterone-to-estradiol ratio, but the reduction in estradiol levels appeared to be more responsible than the increase in testosterone for this change. The testosterone-elevating effects of PDE-5 inhibitors may be seen in other medications in this class. Still, some studies have suggested that tadalafil may be more effective than medications such as sildenafil for increasing testosterone levels. Ultimately, neither medication is specifically approved for improving testosterone levels.

How Much Does Tadalafil Increase Testosterone?

The effects of tadalafil on erectile dysfunction are not primarily related to testosterone levels; however, it may affect the levels. It primarily does this by improving hormone balance between estrogen and testosterone. How much does tadalafil increase testosterone? The effects of tadalafil on testosterone are pretty modest, and the medication does not have approval from the Food and Drug Administration for treating low testosterone. The 2017 study showed an improvement of 3.6 to 5.2ng/ml after 12 weeks of treatment with a 5mg daily dose of tadalafil. Another study from 2020 demonstrated an increase in free testosterone of approximately 0.5 pg/mL. So if you're wondering, "Can Cialis increase testosterone?" The short answer is yes, but only a small amount. Estradiol and testosterone are both synthesized from cholesterol. They follow a similar pathway until they are affected by an enzyme called aromatase. PDE-5 inhibitors such as tadalafil may impact aromatase levels, lowering estradiol levels and promoting testosterone production.

Tadalafil and Testosterone: Key Takeaways

• Tadalafil can boost testosterone levels, but its main effect is not hormonal. Tadalafil primarily works by improving blood flow to the penis and other organs. Improved blood flow to the penis can increase erectile function.
• The effects of tadalafil on testosterone are modest. Regular use of low-dose tadalafil may increase testosterone levels by 3.6-5.2ng/ml.
• Tadalafil is not approved for improving testosterone levels. It is approved to treat erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and pulmonary artery hypertension.
• Tadalafil is not a replacement for testosterone replacement therapy. People who have both erectile dysfunction and low testosterone may have better improvements in erectile function if tadalafil is combined with testosterone replacement.

Related FAQs

 

Does Cialis have testosterone in it?

Cialis (tadalafil) does not contain testosterone; however, there may be ways in which it benefits testosterone. It is a hormone-free medication in a class called phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors. These medications are designed to treat erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and pulmonary artery hypertension. PDE-5 inhibitors may increase testosterone levels by affecting the ratios of testosterone and estradiol. However, their primary function is to block PDE-5 activity and relax the small blood vessels, allowing more blood flow to organs such as the penis. While Cialis may raise testosterone levels indirectly, it is not a form of testosterone therapy.

Does 5mg Cialis raise testosterone?

Cialis at a 5mg daily dose is primarily used for erectile dysfunction and benign prostatic hyperplasia, but studies do suggest that, with regular use, it may also improve testosterone levels. While Cialis may not significantly improve testosterone levels, yes, Cialis does affect testosterone, albeit modestly. The effects of Cialis on testosterone are indirect and modest. It isn’t going to normalize very low levels of testosterone. Cialis may improve testosterone levels by about 3.6 to 5.2ng/ml. This effect is believed to primarily be through improvements in the ratio of testosterone to estradiol. If you're wondering, does Cialis contain testosterone? The answer is no, Cialis does not contain testosterone and is not approved as a form of testosterone replacement therapy, and there is no indication to use Cialis for low testosterone specifically. It primarily works for erectile dysfunction by improving blood flow to the penis.

Does tadalafil raise testosterone levels in patients with metabolic syndrome?

Several studies suggest that tadalafil may lead to a modest increase in testosterone levels for people with metabolic syndrome. These increases are mild (around 3.6 to 5.2ng/ml). Metabolic syndrome is a group of chronic health conditions that includes obesity, insulin resistance, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Metabolic syndrome is frequently associated with low testosterone levels and increases the risk of erectile dysfunction. Tadalafil’s effects on testosterone levels are indirect and may be related to changes in the testosterone-estradiol ratios. It is not likely that tadalafil will result in normal testosterone levels in someone who has low testosterone. It is not a substitute for testosterone replacement therapy or treatment for metabolic syndrome. The medication is only approved for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and pulmonary artery hypertension.

Does Cialis lower estrogen?

Cialis may lower blood estrogen levels and improve testosterone-to-estradiol ratios. However, Cialis is not approved for treating hormone imbalances. Cialis is specifically approved to treat erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and pulmonary artery hypertension. There is limited research into the effects of Cialis on estrogen levels. It is believed that Cialis and other PDE-5 inhibitors may affect the conversion of testosterone to estrogen through the aromatase enzyme. The effects of Cialis on these enzymes are indirect, and it is not considered an anti-estrogen medication or an aromatase inhibitor.

Does Viagra boost testosterone?

Viagra, aka sildenafil, is another phosphodiesterase five inhibitor. The “little blue pill” may increase testosterone levels, similar to Cialis. However, the effects of Viagra on testosterone may not be as pronounced as the effects of Cialis, which is modest. Viagra does not contain testosterone or any other hormone. It does not act directly on testosterone levels. Its primary effects are through increasing blood flow to the penis to improve erectile function. Viagra is not approved to treat low testosterone levels, even though it may show modest improvements in these levels as a side effect. Viagra is approved to treat erectile dysfunction. Sildenafil is also approved to treat pulmonary artery hypertension under the brand name Revatio.

What are some other positive effects of tadalafil?

Tadalafil can have several positive effects outside of its primary use for erectile dysfunction. The medication is approved for erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and pulmonary artery hypertension. Tadalafil may improve symptoms in the lower urinary tract, such as urinary frequency, urinary urgency, weak urinary stream, and frequent nighttime urination. Tadalafil is approved in low doses to treat these symptoms in the setting of benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate). It can relax the smooth muscles of the bladder and the prostate, reducing discomfort and improving urinary flow. Tadalafil may also improve the health of the lining of the heart's blood vessels, the endothelial function. Because the medication increases nitric oxide, it can improve blood flow to more than just the penis. Nitric oxide can lead to dilation of blood vessels throughout the body and potentially decrease the risk of cardiovascular events such as a heart attack or stroke. It is important to note that tadalafil is not approved as a treatment or preventive treatment for heart attack or stroke, though it is approved for treating pulmonary artery hypertension. Another indirect effect of tadalafil may be improving mood. Erectile dysfunction can have significant effects on mental health and self-esteem. Improvements in erectile function have been associated with better mood, lower anxiety, higher self-esteem, greater well-being, and greater relationship satisfaction.

Why do bodybuilders use tadalafil?

Tadalafil and other PDE-5 inhibitors have been gaining popularity in the bodybuilding world. There is some evidence that tadalafil may improve muscle mass and increase exercise tolerance. It is important to note that tadalafil is not approved as a muscle- or exercise-enhancement medication. This is a strictly off-label use. A 2017 study evaluating the effects of tadalafil on lean muscle mass showed improvements in both lean mass and endothelial function in men without obesity. The men in this study were taking the medication for either erectile dysfunction or lower urinary tract symptoms, such as those seen in BPH. Tadalafil also results in mild improvements in testosterone levels. Testosterone is one of the more important hormones in muscle building, which is another reason that it has gained popularity on the bodybuilding circuit. Tadalafil may have more impacts on testosterone levels than other PDE-5 inhibitors and has a longer level of action, which may lead to sustained effects on blood flow and exercise. Tadalafil may also counter some of the side effects, especially the sexual side effects, of performance-enhancing drugs. Tadalafil increases blood flow to the penis and can improve erectile function, which may offset some of the side effects seen with anabolic steroid use. The effects of tadalafil on blood flow may increase exercise endurance by improving oxygen to the muscles. Improved blood flow may not only increase oxygen delivery but may also result in more efficient removal of lactic acid and other metabolic products of exercise. This can potentially delay muscle fatigue and make exercise sessions more productive and longer. Tadalafil should not be used without a medical provider's supervision. The medication comes with risks and may interact with other medications or cause cardiovascular side effects.

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