What Your Bloodwork Says About Your Sexual Health

Preventive medicine is more than getting vaccines and regular dental cleanings; it's about understanding and protecting all aspects of your health before symptoms arise. One of the most effective tools in this proactive approach is lab testing. A simple blood draw can uncover underlying hormone imbalances, vitamin deficiencies, and warning signs that might otherwise go unnoticed until they impact your daily life— including your sexual health.

Sexual wellness is a vital part of our overall well-being, confidence, and relationship satisfaction. But when things feel “off” in the bedroom, whether it’s low libido, difficulty maintaining an erection, or feeling chronically fatigued, it can be a sign of something deeper. Fortunately, your blood work can offer powerful insight.

In this article, we’ll explore how certain lab tests relate to sexual health and what markers to watch out for. The goal? To help you identify and target any conditions or anomalies that can improve your health, performance, and quality of life.

The Role of Preventive Medicine in Sexual Health

Preventive medicine is centered around early detection, lifestyle optimization, and catching health issues before they turn into larger problems. Annual physicals, screenings, and lab tests are all essential tools that give you and your provider insight into what’s happening beneath the surface.

When it comes to sexual health, many symptoms and conditions— like erectile dysfunction, low libido, or even fertility issues— aren’t just standalone problems. They are often tied to more systemic issues like hormonal imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, or chronic conditions like diabetes or cardiovascular disease. (Brenk-Franz, 2024) (Sexual Dysfunction, 2024) By proactively monitoring key lab markers, you can often catch and address issues impacting your sexual function or overall well-being.

Why Sexual Health Matters

Sexual health is more than just your physical performance in the bedroom— it plays a crucial role in:

• Mental health and self-esteem

• Emotional intimacy in relationships

• Reproductive goals

• Physical health indicators (e.g., cardiovascular fitness)

Ignoring or minimizing sexual concerns can have a ripple effect across every part of your life. The good news? Sexual health is highly responsive to medical, nutritional, and lifestyle interventions, especially when guided by trusted lab results.

What Blood Work Can Reveal About Your Sexual Health

Getting a better understanding of your health through blood work and lab testing can help identify the root cause of your sexual dysfunction or identify potential concerns before symptoms arise. Let’s talk more about the specific tests that can give you insight into your sexual well-being. 

1. Sex Hormone Assessment

A sex hormone assessment is likely to test hormones such as total and free testosterone, estradiol, DHEA, prolactin, and more. 

Testosterone is the cornerstone hormone of male sexual health. It influences libido, energy, mood, muscle mass, and erectile function. A drop in testosterone can cause noticeable changes in sexual desire and performance. (Rochira, 2023)

• Free testosterone provides a clearer picture of what’s biologically available for the body to use.

• Estradiol (a form of estrogen) must be kept in balance with testosterone. Too much can suppress libido.

• DHEA is a precursor hormone that supports testosterone production.

• Prolactin, when elevated, can inhibit testosterone and impair sexual function.

If one or more of your hormones are out of balance, a sex hormone test will be able to identify that. Your provider can walk you through options for achieving healthy hormone levels. For example, low testosterone can result from age, stress, obesity, or underlying health conditions, all of which can be targeted with medical and lifestyle changes. (Sizar, 2024)

2. Diabetes and Blood Sugar Control

Measuring blood sugar or testing for diabetes or pre-diabetes can be done with a hemoglobin A1C test. 

Elevated A1C levels indicate chronically high blood sugar, a key indicator of diabetes and prediabetes. (Eyth, 2023) Chronically high blood sugar can damage blood vessels and nerves, both of which are crucial for sexual function. 

Men with diabetes are significantly more likely to experience erectile dysfunction and lower libido, often at a younger age. Poor glucose control can also affect sperm quality and fertility. (Defeudis, 2021)

If this test does identify a problem with your blood sugar, your provider can walk you through your options, including treatment, lifestyle changes, and more. 

3. Lipid Profile (Cholesterol & Triglycerides)

A lipid profile will measure total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides. 

Healthy sexual function depends on good circulation. When arteries are clogged with plaque, often due to high LDL or low HDL cholesterol, blood flow can be restricted, leading to vascular erectile dysfunction. (Yannas, 2021)

Sexual health issues are sometimes the first sign of cardiovascular disease. Monitoring your lipid panel is a smart way to keep your heart (and sex life) in good shape.

4. Thyroid Function

Key tests for thyroid health include measuring hormones such as TSH, Free T3, and Free T4. 

The thyroid gland regulates all of our major bodily processes, including metabolism, sleep, energy, mood, and hormonal activity. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism have been linked to sexual dysfunction, including low libido, erectile issues, and poor sperm health. (Gabrielson, 2018)

Thyroid dysfunction is often missed because symptoms can be subtle. Bloodwork is a reliable way to assess the health of your thyroid and identify potential problems that can manifest throughout your body. 

5. Vitamin and Nutrient Levels

There is a long list of important vitamins and nutrients that help our body function properly. Examples include vitamin D, B12, and folate. 

While a vitamin deficiency may not seem like an obvious contributor to sexual health problems, these nutrients can play a major role:

• Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with low testosterone and increased risk of ED. (Farag, 2017)

• Vitamin B12 and folate are crucial for energy production, neurological function, and mood regulation. Low levels may lead to fatigue, low libido, and sexual performance issues. (Tardy, 2020) (Elshahid, 2020)

Though research is mixed on the true correlation between vitamins and minerals like B12 and ED, maintaining healthy levels is still very important for overall health and well-being. (Keles, 2024)

6. Kidney and Liver Function

You can measure your kidney and liver function by testing creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), albumin (microalbumin), bilirubin, ALT, ALP, and more. 

Kidney and liver health influence how hormones are processed, how medications are metabolized, and how toxins are filtered. Chronic disease in either organ system can disrupt our hormones, energy levels, and more. (Kalra, 2023) (Ogobuiro, 2023)

Liver disease can result in elevated estrogen and suppressed testosterone levels in men, negatively impacting libido and erections. (Ferrarese, 2025) 

7. Prostate Health

By testing Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA), you can learn more about your prostate health. 

While PSA is mostly used as a screening tool for prostate enlargement or cancer, prostate issues can affect sexual function. An enlarged prostate can lead to discomfort, urinary symptoms, and changes in ejaculation. Some treatments for prostate problems can also impact erections.(Kok, 2018)

Outside of sexual performance, prostate health should be a major concern for men over the age of 50. Speak with your provider about how often you should be getting your prostate checked. (Prostate Problems, 2024) 

Struggling with erectile dysfunction? Learn how to treat ED fast. 

8. Inflammation and Stress Hormones

Some tests can identify inflammation in the body by measuring C-reactive protein (CRP) and cortisol levels. 

Chronic inflammation can occur for a range of reasons, such as persistent infections, chronic illness, autoimmune reactions, environmental exposures, and lifestyle choices. (Pahwa, 2023) Inflammation can impair blood flow, energy, and testosterone levels. Elevated CRP in particular is a red flag for systemic inflammation and cardiovascular risk, both of which affect sexual performance. (Singh, 2025)

High cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone, can also disrupt testosterone production and libido. (Rahardjo, 2023) Stress-related ED is more common than you might think, and blood work can help confirm if cortisol is contributing to your dysfunction. 

9. Iron and Blood Cell Counts

Lastly, measuring ferritin, iron, TIBC and CBC levels can offer insight into your health. 

Low iron or anemia (often identified through hemoglobin or ferritin levels) can cause fatigue, brain fog, and poor endurance, including in sexual activity. Anemia can also impair oxygen delivery to tissues, including those in the penis. (Gabrielson, 2019) 

A CBC also checks for signs of infection or other issues that may indirectly affect your health, sexual performance, and energy levels.

The Takeaway: Know Your Numbers, Know Your Health

Your sexual health is deeply connected to the rest of your body, including the cardiovascular, hormonal, metabolic, and neurological systems. Bloodwork offers a detailed look at what’s working, what’s not, and where you can make meaningful improvements.

At Rugiet, we believe in putting that knowledge into your hands. Our at-home lab testing options are designed to give men powerful insights into the markers that matter most for energy, performance, and vitality. But remember— blood tests are just the first step. Always work with a licensed medical provider to interpret your results and build a personalized plan that fits your body and goals. Looking for more ways to improve your health? Explore trusted erectile dysfunction treatments, insomnia treatments, hair growth medications, and more. 

Citations:

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2. Sexual Dysfunction. May 29 2024. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9121-sexual-dysfunction

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