When it comes to men’s health, testosterone often takes center stage. This hormone fuels libido, muscle mass, mental sharpness, motivation, and overall energy. Nevertheless, focusing solely on testosterone misses the larger scope—a hormonal symphony, which includes the adrenal glands, DHEA, cortisol, and the body’s response to stress. 

Many men who experience chronic symptoms like fatigue, low sex drive, poor sleep, mood shifts, or weight fluctuations might have a deeper issue than low testosterone. In fact, chronic stress or adrenal dysfunction are frequently at the root of these symptoms, quietly disrupting natural hormone production and affecting overall health. Fortunately, a holistic intervention, which includes acupuncture, can help reset the system.  

Adrenal Glands, DHEA, and Testosterone: A Delicate Balance 

The adrenal glands are small but powerful hormone producers above the kidneys. They manufacture important hormones like cortisol, DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), and adrenaline, which help the body respond to stress and maintain balance. 

DHEA is a precursor hormone—it helps build testosterone and other sex hormones. However, when the body is under chronic stress, it prioritizes survival. This means more cortisol production, often coupled with less DHEA and testosterone. This stress-driven shift in hormone production can cause low testosterone levels, low energy or libido, mood instability or brain fog, poor recovery outcomes, and an increase in excess fat. 

Over time, this creates a feedback loop of dysfunction, in which chronic stress leads to hormone imbalance, making it harder for the body to cope with further stress. Stress is more than just mental strain. It sets off a powerful hormonal cascade via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis—the body’s central stress-response system.  

Here’s a basic rundown of how the body reacts to chronic stress. Cortisol production ramps up. The body allocates resources (like pregnenolone) toward cortisol and away from DHEA/testosterone—a phenomenon often called the “pregnenolone steal.  

Over time, this causes low DHEA, low testosterone, and adrenal fatigue (more accurately, HPA axis dysfunction). Symptoms of stress-driven hormonal imbalance in men can include the following: low libido or erectile dysfunction, abnormal weight gain (especially abdominal), muscle loss or fatigue, anxiety or depression, frequent irritability, insomnia or poor quality sleep, and lack of focus or motivation. 

Overlooking stress—or only treating testosterone levels—often leads to incomplete or temporary improvement. To fully restore health, you must treat the cause, not just the symptoms. Acupuncture, a core practice of Traditional Eastern Medicine, offers a unique and powerful solution for men dealing with hormone imbalances, stress, or adrenal dysfunction. Rather than focusing on just one hormone, acupuncture works to restore systemic balance. 

Acupuncture can optimize men’s hormonal health by regulating the stress response, balancing the HPA axis, improving sleep, hastening recovery, increasing libido, balancing mood states, and lowering inflammation. Acupuncture has been shown to lower cortisol levels and calm the nervous system, helping the body shift from “fight-or-flight” to “rest-and-digest.” By improving the communication between the brain and adrenal glands, acupuncture can bolster healthy DHEA and testosterone production. 

Poor sleep can also sabotage hormone health. Acupuncture enhances sleep quality and parasympathetic nervous system tone, both of which are critical for hormone regeneration. Hormonal imbalances often affect mental health and intimacy, too. Acupuncture increases dopamine and serotonin levels to enhance mood regulation, sex drive, and connection. Finally, chronic inflammation can suppress testosterone, but acupuncture helps lower pro-inflammatory markers, creating a better internal environment for hormone function. 

To restore optimal hormone health, men should take an integrative and comprehensive lifestyle approach. Here’s a useful roadmap to follow:  

• Opt for the Right Tests: Check total and free testosterone, DHEA-S, cortisol (preferably via a 4-point saliva or urine test), SHBG, and estradiol. 

• Manage Stress Daily: Use practices such as breathwork, mindfulness, physical exercise, and optimal rest to lower your baseline stress levels. 

• Improve Sleep Quality: Aim for seven to nine hours of uninterrupted, restorative sleep. 

• Prioritize Balanced Nutrition: Consume whole, nutritious foods rich in vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, zinc, and omega-3s. 

• Use Targeted Supplements: Consider adaptogens (such as ashwagandha or rhodiola), DHEA (with medical supervision), and B-complex vitamins. 

• Incorporate Acupuncture: Weekly acupuncture sessions can regulate your hormones and improve quality of life in a safe and natural manner.  

For many men, low testosterone is not the root cause of their symptoms. Rather, it’s the downstream effect of deeper hormonal or adrenal imbalances driven by chronic stress. DHEA, adrenal health, and the body’s stress response are all interconnected in ways that can affect mood, energy, libido, and strength.  

Acupuncture, lab testing, nutrition, lifestyle changes, and stress management can offer a powerful, integrative path to recovery. Instead of replacing hormones, these methods work with the body to heal, rebalance, regenerate, and restore vitality from the inside out.  

Dr. Captain is a highly skilled expert in the field of Acupuncture. She has performed over 200,000 patient treatments in her career which spans over two decades. In addition to lecturing and teaching across the country and globe, her practice in Sarasota serves as a training facility for healthcare practitioners all over the U.S. and internationally. Dr. Captain's knowledge and enthusiasm for wellness has earned her a nationwide reputation as a qualified lecturer, keynote speaker, and expert teacher. For more information, visit https://www.sarasotacenterforacupunctureandnutrition.com/ or call 941-951-1119.