GLP-1 Drugs May Boost Testosterone and Sperm Quality in Men with Metabolic Issues
GLP-1 receptor agonists consistently increased total testosterone in men with obesity or diabetes while preserving gonadotropin function, suggesting they could be fertility-sparing alternatives to testosterone therapy.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
GLP-1RAs consistently increased total testosterone in men with metabolic dysfunction while preserving or increasing LH and FSH levels, in contrast to testosterone therapy which suppresses gonadotropins and fertility.
Key Numbers
How They Did This
Systematic review following PRISMA guidelines, searching 4 databases through April 2025, including RCTs and cohort studies with risk of bias assessment using RoB 2 and ROBINS-I tools.
Why This Research Matters
Many men with obesity have low testosterone and want treatment, but testosterone replacement suppresses fertility. GLP-1 drugs could offer both metabolic and reproductive benefits without compromising sperm production.
The Bigger Picture
This positions GLP-1 drugs as potential fertility-sparing alternatives to testosterone therapy in obese men with low testosterone, addressing two major health concerns simultaneously.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Relatively few studies with small sample sizes. Free testosterone changes were inconsistent. No long-term fertility outcomes measured. Most evidence from men with metabolic conditions.
Questions This Raises
- ?Could GLP-1 drugs replace testosterone therapy in obese men with hypogonadism who want to preserve fertility?
- ?What is the optimal GLP-1 drug and dose for maximizing testosterone improvement?
- ?Do the reproductive benefits persist long-term or only during active treatment?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Fertility preserved Unlike testosterone therapy, GLP-1 drugs maintained or increased LH and FSH — the hormones essential for sperm production
- Evidence Grade:
- Systematic review of RCTs and cohort studies with formal bias assessment. Evidence is consistent but limited by small study sizes.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2025, providing the first systematic synthesis of GLP-1 effects on male reproduction.
- Original Title:
- Effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on male reproductive hormones, semen parameters, and metabolic outcomes: a systematic review.
- Published In:
- The journal of sexual medicine, 23(2) (2026)
- Authors:
- Deameh, Mohammad Ghassab, Ramez, Mohamed, Rowaiee, Rashed, Bani Irshid, Baha' Aldeen, Mohamed, Hamza, Abdelshafi, Abdelrahman, Al-Osoufi, Mohammad Ali, Mohamed, Tarek, Hegazin, Safa Botros, Raheem, Omer
- Database ID:
- RPEP-15092
Evidence Hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
Can GLP-1 drugs help with low testosterone?
Yes, this review found GLP-1 drugs consistently raised testosterone in men with obesity or diabetes. They appear to work by improving metabolic health, which allows natural testosterone production to recover.
Will GLP-1 drugs affect my ability to have children?
Unlike testosterone replacement (which suppresses sperm production), GLP-1 drugs preserved or increased the hormones needed for fertility. This makes them a promising option for men who want both metabolic and reproductive benefits.
Read More on RethinkPeptides
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/RPEP-15092APA
Deameh, Mohammad Ghassab; Ramez, Mohamed; Rowaiee, Rashed; Bani Irshid, Baha' Aldeen; Mohamed, Hamza; Abdelshafi, Abdelrahman; Al-Osoufi, Mohammad Ali; Mohamed, Tarek; Hegazin, Safa Botros; Raheem, Omer. (2026). Effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on male reproductive hormones, semen parameters, and metabolic outcomes: a systematic review.. The journal of sexual medicine, 23(2). https://doi.org/10.1093/jsxmed/qdaf381
MLA
Deameh, Mohammad Ghassab, et al. "Effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on male reproductive hormones, semen parameters, and metabolic outcomes: a systematic review.." The journal of sexual medicine, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1093/jsxmed/qdaf381
RethinkPeptides
RethinkPeptides Research Database. "Effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on male..." RPEP-15092. Retrieved from https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/deameh-2026-effects-of-glucagonlike-peptide1
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkPeptides research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.