Smoking and Testosterone: What Happens to Your Levels When You Quit

You might think that quitting smoking would automatically raise your testosterone levels. After all, smoking is terrible for your health! But here’s the twist: a few studies show that smoking can cause a small, short-term bump in testosterone.

Sounds good, right? Not so fast. That short boost doesn’t last, and it doesn’t make up for the serious long-term damage smoking causes to your body, including your hormone health.

“Some men may see a small rise in testosterone while they smoke, but it’s not real improvement. Over time, smoking damages the very cells that make testosterone,”
— Michael Seay, MSN, APRN, NP-C

In the long run, quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your overall health and your testosterone.

Why Smokers Sometimes Show Higher Testosterone

It might sound strange, but research shows that some smokers have slightly higher measured testosterone levels than non-smokers. Scientists aren’t completely sure why, but here’s what they think:

• Smoking raises levels of a protein called SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin). SHBG sticks to testosterone in your blood. When SHBG levels rise, your lab results might show higher total testosterone, but that doesn’t mean your body is using it effectively.
• The extra testosterone shown on paper is often “bound” testosterone, which isn’t active in your body. So, while the number looks higher, you’re not getting the benefits.

Bottom line: the small bump you see from smoking doesn’t actually help your energy, muscle, or sex drive.

How Smoking Damages Testosterone Over Time

While smoking may cause a short-term spike, the long-term effects are the real problem:

• Blood vessel damage: Smoking harms tiny blood vessels that bring oxygen and nutrients to your testes, the part of your body that makes testosterone. When those vessels are damaged, production slows down.
• Toxic buildup: Chemicals like nicotine and cotinine can cross into the testes and hurt the cells that create testosterone. Over time, this leads to lower testosterone and even fertility issues.
• Inflammation: Smoking raises inflammation in your body, which can interfere with hormones, increase belly fat, and make it harder to maintain muscle.

So while your numbers might look slightly higher for a bit, the damage from smoking causes a much bigger drop later on.

What Happens When You Quit

If you’ve recently quit smoking, you may notice you’re more tired or moody for a while. That’s normal—your body is adjusting. But sometimes, men also notice a dip in testosterone after quitting.

That doesn’t mean smoking helped. It just means your hormones are returning to a more accurate baseline after years of stress and toxin exposure.

In fact, once your body has a chance to heal, your hormone levels often stabilize or improve. It just takes time.

Signs Your Testosterone Might Be Low

If you’ve quit smoking and are still feeling “off,” here are a few signs to watch for:

• Constant fatigue or low energy
• Loss of muscle, even when you work out
• Low sex drive or trouble with erections
• Irritability or low mood
• Trouble focusing or staying motivated

These can happen for many reasons, including nicotine withdrawal, so the best way to know for sure is to get a testosterone test.

At SynergenX, we offer free testosterone testing and expert help to figure out what’s really going on.

What to Do if You Have Low Testosterone

If testing shows your testosterone is low, don’t panic. Low T is common—and it’s treatable.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) can help bring your levels back to normal and improve:

• Energy and focus
• Muscle mass
• Sex drive and performance
• Mood and confidence

And unlike online-only clinics, SynergenX offers in-person care and custom treatment plans backed by medical supervision.

Simple Habits to Support Testosterone After Quitting

Even if you’re not ready for TRT, there’s a lot you can do to help your body recover and keep your hormones balanced:

• Exercise regularly – Strength training is best for boosting testosterone.
• Eat real food – Focus on lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats.
• Maintain a healthy weight – Too much belly fat can lower testosterone.
• Sleep 7–8 hours – Hormones reset when you sleep.
• Manage stress – Chronic stress raises cortisol, which can block testosterone.

Find a Testosterone Clinic Near You

Your decision to quit smoking is a powerful first step toward better health. But if you’re feeling drained or not like yourself, it might be time to check your testosterone levels.

At SynergenX, we help men restore balance through personalized care, not one-size-fits-all treatments. Our providers work with you to address the root causes of low testosterone, including recovery after quitting smoking.

People Also Ask

Does smoking increase testosterone levels?
Some research shows smokers can have slightly higher measured testosterone, but that’s mostly due to increased SHBG levels, not a true hormonal benefit. The short-term bump isn’t real improvement, and smoking eventually damages testosterone-producing cells.

Why does testosterone drop after quitting smoking?
After quitting, your body adjusts to life without nicotine and rebalances hormone levels. The “drop” you might notice often reflects your hormones returning to normal, not true hormone loss.

Can quitting smoking improve testosterone long-term?
Yes. Over time, quitting smoking helps restore blood flow, reduce inflammation, and improve testicular health, all key factors for healthy testosterone production.

What are the signs of low testosterone after quitting smoking?
Fatigue, loss of muscle, low sex drive, and irritability can all point to low testosterone. The only way to know for sure is through a blood test from a qualified provider.

How can I boost testosterone naturally after quitting smoking?
Exercise (especially strength training), eating whole foods, maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress, and getting good sleep can all support testosterone recovery.

Should I get TRT if I quit smoking and still feel low energy?
If symptoms persist and testing shows low testosterone, Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) may help. A supervised clinic like SynergenX can tailor your treatment plan for safe, lasting results.

Sources

Cleveland Clinic. How Smoking Affects Hormones and Fertility. 2024.

Healthline. Nicotine and Testosterone: Everything You Need to Know. 2023.

PubMed. Cigarette smoking and testosterone in men and women: A meta-analysis. 2016.

Clinical Science. Effect of cigarette smoking on levels of bioavailable testosterone in healthy men. 2001.

Physiological Research. Effects of smoking cessation on hormonal levels in men. 2013.