Do Cigars Increase Testosterone?

Cigars have been long associated with masculinity, power, and affluence. 

This has been the case for a long time due to the impact of product placement in the entertainment industry, the decade-long association of tobacco products with powerful figures, and the exclusive consumption of cigars in male-dominated spaces. All of these things transcended into the daily lives of cigar smokers and enthusiasts. Even non-smokers know what cigars signify in today’s society.

This begs the question of whether cigars increase testosterone levels or not. We’re here to dissect the truth behind the cigars’ effect on testosterone levels and whether these tobacco products can help those with a low testosterone level. 

Do Cigars Really Increase Testosterone?

It’s easy to link cigars to being masculine, influential, and powerful for a number of reasons.

1. Historical association: Many businessmen, politicians, military leaders, and other powerful male figures in the past were seen publicly to be using cigars. This then created a perception of cigars being a symbol of not only masculinity but also authority.
2. Cultural imagery: The association of cigars doesn’t stop with powerful figures in history. Many movies, TV series, and other media forms used and are still using cigars as a way to view male characters as powerful, rebellious, and influential. These depictions further glorified cigars as a way to showcase strength, confidence, and success.
3. Social rituals: Smoking cigars are typically tied to male-dominated spaces like cigar lounges or celebratory events. Cigar smokers in these spaces are known to use the said tobacco products as a way to bond and catch up. The exclusivity of cigar smoking contributes to the perception of cigars as a masculine indulgence.

Now, due to said reasons, many male cigar smokers have also believed that these tobacco products can indeed increase their testosterone levels. Unfortunately, multiple medical studies suggest contradicting results regarding the effects of cigars on the hormone levels of cigar smokers.

Some studies would find cigar smoking to be effective in slightly increasing one’s testosterone levels. Others, alternatively, don’t find any link between the increase in testosterone levels and cigar smoking. There are even medical studies that find cigar smoking to be the main cause of the decrease in T-levels.

Take note that most research on the relationship between testosterone levels and tobacco products has focused on cigarette users. This makes it difficult to determine whether cigars can increase testosterone levels or not. It also makes it challenging to know if cigars and cigarettes have the same effects on testosterone levels among smokers.

Many cigars are available in the market today, with some of them being sold online at NativeSmokes4Less. We are your top source of cigars in Canada, making sure cigar enthusiasts like you can gain access to quality tobacco products at very competitive prices.

How Much Do Cigars Increase Testosterone?

Despite the limited studies that revolve around cigar smoking and the status of one’s testosterone levels, it’s still somehow possible to know if cigars can increase testosterone by dissecting these tobacco products further.

One common compound that exists among cigars and other tobacco products is nicotine.

Nicotine is a highly addictive and habit-forming substance often found in cigars and cigarettes due to its tobacco content. Now, since this substance is considered a stimulant, it can increase the activity of your nervous system, affecting your brain and body. It also means that it may affect your testosterone levels in some ways, with studies suggesting varying results.

Some studies have found that such substances can increase one’s testosterone levels, while others have found a decline in testosterone levels whenever they use nicotine products.

A 2016 research review, for instance, analyzed the effects of nicotine on around 19,000 individuals, which consisted of 13,000 men and 6,000 women. The study revealed that male smokers appeared to have higher total and free testosterone compared to nonsmokers.

In a 2020 study, male cigarette smokers have been found to have lower total sperm counts than nonsmokers, but their testosterone levels are higher than those who don’t smoke.

A small study from 2022, alternatively, revealed that baseball players who chewed nicotine gum experienced a significant reduction in salivary testosterone levels after half an hour. However, after completing a series of physical tests, their testosterone levels normalized to their usual values.

A different study from the same year, which involved more than 600 Swedish men, found that men who consumed chewing tobacco had around 25% lower sperm count than those who didn’t consume anything. Their testosterone levels, however, exhibited a 14% increase compared to their normal values.

The conflicting data regarding nicotine use and testosterone levels may only mean the same thing with cigars. After all, these tobacco products also boast nicotine, which is the main substance that can significantly affect various hormones in your body. 

So, if you want to know how much cigars increase your testosterone levels, then it might take a few more studies before you get to know the definitive answers you’re looking for.

Do Cuban Cigars Increase Testosterone?

Cuban cigars are widely known for being a premium cigar product one shouldn’t miss out on, especially if you are a cigar enthusiast. 

One thing that makes these cigars unique is they are mostly made manually by professional cigar rollers, which is one of the reasons why they come at high prices. Additionally, the tobacco leaves used in making them have been cultivated, handpicked, and even aged to make sure they ooze with flavours and aromas you won’t easily get from other tobacco products.

These are likewise the reasons why Cuban cigars are expensive.

Given how exquisite their tobacco ingredients are, you and others may assume that they could increase your testosterone levels. But, in reality, they are still considered tobacco products. Therefore, their effects will be hugely similar to other cigars, regardless of their price range and quality.

Jamin V. Brahmbhatt, MD, a board-certified urologist with Orlando Health, states that smoking cigars and other tobacco products can indeed increase testosterone levels of users due to stress response mechanisms brought by their nicotine content. Take note, however, that this increase is temporary.

The increase in testosterone levels, surprisingly, has been supported by a number of studies. 

An International Journal of Andrology study from 2001 concluded that male smokers had significantly higher testosterone levels than nonsmokers: 15% and 13% higher total and free testosterone levels, respectively. A 2015 review published in Preventive Medicine then revealed that male smokers boast slightly elevated testosterone levels than those who don’t smoke.

Do remember that these effects are typically temporary. Long-term smoking of Cuban cigars and other tobacco products likewise leads to a reduction of testosterone levels as well as additional consequences to your health. Cigar smokers might only put themselves at risk of developing chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, and other serious oral health illnesses. 

The only way to increase your testosterone levels properly is through changing your lifestyle, which covers improved nutrition, proper sleep hygiene, and physical fitness routines. Doing these things helps balance your hormone levels without exposing your body to health risks.

Do Cigars Increase Blood Pressure?

Studies regarding tobacco products and their relationship with testosterone levels have been showing varying results for the past few years. 

In a study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, researchers investigated the impact of various tobacco consumption patterns on testosterone levels among 425 healthy middle-aged participants over a five-year period, from 2002 to 2007. 

They’ve discovered that, regardless of the form used, individuals who smoke manifested lower total, free, and albumin-bound testosterone levels compared to non-smokers. Furthermore, those who are engaged in regular cigarette smoking showed significantly lower testosterone values.

This research suggests that different types of tobacco consumption may affect hormone production differently. However, occasional cigar smokers and enthusiasts didn’t show any difference in testosterone levels compared to non-smokers. 

But the same study mentioned that cigar smokers may be exposed to harmful compounds and potential respiratory issues, which is why individuals who want to maintain optimal hormone balance and overall well-being must be aware of the potential dangers of smoking.

With the data presented in the study, it’s reasonable to conclude that cigar smokers who believe these tobacco products can boost their testosterone levels may be mistaken. If there’s one thing that cigar smoke can do, that would be to increase and elevate your blood pressure.

You see, cigar smoke, which comes from tobacco, may be filled with a lot of harmful substances and compounds. Metals are one of those elements your body may take in as you smoke a cigar. These metals include lead, cadmium, and nickel. 

As you smoke cigars for a long time, your body may be exposed to the said metals, which then lead to a variety of health effects like high blood pressure, heart disease, and kidney disease. An increase in your blood pressure is not a good thing as it is often the prelude to more serious health conditions like coronary artery disease and arrhythmias.

Does Smoking Increase Testosterone in Females?

Testosterone is a sex hormone that helps regulate sex drive or libido, bone mass, fat distribution, muscle mass and strength, and the production of sperm and red blood cells in men. 

As for women, this sex hormone helps produce new blood cells, maintain bone health and libido, and boost other reproductive hormones in their bodies.

Since we already know cigar smoking affects testosterone levels among men, it’s time to determine whether cigars can increase testosterone levels in females. One way to find out about this is to look at studies about the relationship between smoking and testosterone levels in females.

Research conducted by Uppsala University subjected ten healthy, non-smoking women of reproductive age to a nicotine dose of two nasal sprays in their nostrils. They are also injected with a radioactive tracer attached to the enzyme aromatase or estrogen synthase, which is meant for estrogen synthesis. By using MRI and PET brain scans, scientists can visualize the distribution and levels of the enzyme in the brain of the subjects.

Upon checking, they observed high levels of estrogen synthase in the thalamus, hypothalamus, and amygdala regions, which is caused by nicotine exposure. Nicotine also reduces the amount of aromatase in the brain, impacting other functions like the reproductive system.

According to Dr. Sandra Narayanan, a board-certified vascular neurologist and neurointerventional surgeon at Pacific Stroke & Neurovascular Center in Santa Monica, CA, smoking may generate a significant decrease in circulating estrogen levels. It can also cause a significant increase in testosterone (androgens) levels among women. 

The high androgen levels among women smokers, unfortunately, make it difficult for them to reduce or quit nicotine consumption. It also makes it challenging for them to quit smoking.

Additionally, smoking can negatively impact the female reproductive system, putting them at risk of ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, and decreased fetal oxygen levels. Smoking can also affect hormone secretion, metabolism, direct toxicity to eggs, ovulation, placental growth and health, and fetal endocrine imbalances.

To protect yourself from the significant health risks of smoking, you should try to start your quitting smoking journey. You can seek professional medical advice for your smoking cessation journey so they can provide you with solutions that can improve your overall health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do cigars actually increase testosterone?

Cigars can increase testosterone levels but only temporarily, especially among male smokers. In the long run, smoking cigars can negatively affect hormone levels as they only introduce toxins that disrupt the endocrine system, leading to reduced testosterone levels and fertility issues.

Do cigars affect muscle growth?

Yes. Smoking cigars can affect your muscle growth negatively. Nicotine and other toxins in cigar smoke impair blood flow and oxygen delivery, which are essential for muscle repair and growth. Cigars can also inhibit muscle recovery processes and reduce physical endurance, hindering overall performance.

What do cigars do to men?

Cigars expose men to harmful chemicals that elevate their risk of developing oral, throat, lung, and cardiovascular diseases. Smoking cigars can also affect fertility and lower testosterone levels. Furthermore, it can lead to long-term health problems such as erectile dysfunction.

Do cigars increase sperm count?

No. Cigars and even other tobacco products do not increase sperm count. In fact, cigar smoke actually reduces sperm quality, motility, and overall fertility.

Summary

Cigars may temporarily increase testosterone levels in male smokers. However, prolonged exposure to cigar smoking significantly reduces testosterone levels. This reduction can then lead to a compromised reproductive system, directly causing fertility issues. 

As for female smokers, cigars can increase their testosterone (androgens) levels, making it challenging for them to quit smoking if they decide to stop depending on tobacco products. Additionally, this increase impacts their reproductive systems, which puts them at risk of miscarriage, decreased fetal oxygen levels, and ectopic pregnancy.

The best way to regulate your testosterone levels is to quit smoking cigars and follow lifestyle changes recommended by a healthcare professional. 

Want to know more about cigars? Head to this article to know more.