The Surprising Link Between Your Gut Health & Sexual Performance

Microbiome secrets might be the key to more bedroom fun

Author

Federick Gonzalez
January 10, 2025

Meet Mark.

He was only 42 when he started noticing changes in the bedroom.

His once-reliable morning wood was becoming a rare occurrence.

His desire for his partner was fading faster than his hairline.

And even when he could get it up, his performance was a far cry from his glory days.

He blamed it on long hours at the office, the stress of paying the bills, and the natural decline that comes with age.

Sound familiar?...

But deep down, Mark knew something else was not right.

He didn't know the reason for his low sex drive...

because is was hiding in plain sight.

The Gut-Sex Connection: How Your Microbiome Impacts Your Manhood

Now, when most guys think about what's hurts their sex life, they point the finger at things like:

  • Low testosterone

  • Poor blood flow

  • Lack of sleep

  • Relationship issues

And sure, all those factors can play a role to lower your drive and derail your bedroom performance.

But there's one crucial piece of the puzzle that often gets overlooked:

The health of your gut.

Yep, you read that right.

The state of your digestive system can have a MASSIVE impact on what happens (or not happen) below the belt.

Your Gut Microbiome: The Conductor of Your Hormonal Orchestra

Here’s the deal:

Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria, yeasts, and other microbes that make up your microbiome [1].

This "alien world" ecosystem in your gut... plays a key role in everything from digestion and nutrient absorption... to immune function and hormone regulation [2].

EVERYTHING.

And when it comes to your hormones, your microbiome is like the conductor of the orchestra.

It helps regulate the production and metabolism of key sex hormones like...

Testosterone.

Estrogen. (...not just for the ladies... I know)

And even stress hormones like cortisol [3].

In fact, a recent study published in the journal Microbiome found that men with low testosterone levels...

had way different gut bacteria compared to men with healthy T levels [4].

And another study from the University of Valencia in Spain...

showed that men with erectile dysfunction had lower levels of beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium...

...compared to men with no performance issues [5].

So what does this mean for you and your manhood?

Simply put, if your gut is out of whack, your sexual function can suffer.

Big time.

But not worry... Mens Health Secrets... got your back.

Here's some quick things you can start doing NOW.

Tests to Assess Your Gut Health

If you suspect your gut health might affect your sexual performance in a bad way... here's some tests you can ask your Doc about to assess the health of your microbiome:

  • Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis (CDSA): This test examines a stool sample... for the presence of beneficial bacteria... harmful microbes, and other markers of gut health [16].

  • Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) Breath Test: This test measures the levels of hydrogen and methane... in your breath to determine if there's an overgrowth of bacteria in your small intestine [17]. (Didn't know that, did you?...)

  • Gut Microbiome Test: Companies like…

    Viome (https://www.viome.com/)

…these retail gut-specialty brands offer at-home stool tests... that analyze your gut bacteria and provide personalized recommendations for optimizing your microbiome.

An imbalanced microbiome can lead to chronic inflammation... which can wreak havoc on your testosterone production... and lead to symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and low libido [6].

It can also disrupt the delicate balance of neurotransmitters in your gut-brain axis... leads to mood issues like anxiety and depression... that can further tank your drive and performance [7].

And if that wasn't enough... an unhealthy gut can even worsen cardiovascular issues that impact blood flow to your penis... which makes it harder to achieve and maintain a strong erection [8].

Probiotics: Your Secret Weapon for Better Bedroom Performance

But here's the good news:

Just as a "sickly" gut can ruin your sex life... a thriving microbiome can be the "savior" to your inner bedroom superman.

Research shows that probiotics... the beneficial bacteria that help rebalance your gut... can give a power punch on sexual function and hormone health.

The Science Behind Probiotics and Sexual Health

  • In one study, men who took a daily probiotic supplement containing Lactobacillus reuteri saw a significant increase in testosterone levels... and even an improvement in sperm count and motility [9].

  • Another study found that a combination of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains... helped reduce inflammation and improve sexual function in men with chronic prostatitis [10].

  • And a third study published in the Journal of Andrology... showed that men who consumed a fermented milk product rich in probiotics... had higher levels of testosterone and better sexual function... compared to a placebo group [11].

How to Harness the Power of Probiotics for Your Bedroom Boost

So how can you grab the power of probiotics "by the horns" for your own bedroom boost?

Start by adding more probiotic-rich foods into your diet, like:

  • Yogurt and kefir

  • Sauerkraut and kimchi

  • Kombucha

  • Miso

  • Tempeh

I know... you may not be used to these foods... but give em' a try.

You can also consider taking a high-quality probiotic supplement... to help replenish your good gut bugs.

Look for a formula that contains clinically-studied strains like...

Lactobacillus reuteri.

Lactobacillus acidophilus.

and Bifidobacterium longum.

Other Gut-Friendly Habits for Better Sexual Health

In addition to probiotics... there are a few other gut-friendly habits that can help keep your microbiome... (and your manhood) in top shape:

  • Eat plenty of fiber-rich foods like... vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes to feed your beneficial bacteria [12].

  • Limit your intake of processed junk foods... artificial sweeteners, and alcohol, which can disrupt your gut balance [13].

  • Manage stress with practices like... meditation, deep breathing, or yoga to help regulate your gut-brain axis [14].

  • Get regular exercise, which has been shown to improve gut health... and boost testosterone levels [15].

The Bottom Line

If you want to be a legend in the bedroom, you can't neglect what's going on in your bathroom.

By nurturing your gut health with probiotics and other microbiome-friendly habits... you'll be well on your way to reclaim your swagger and reignite the passion in your pants.

Your gut will thank you.

Your partner will thank you.

And your penis? It'll be forever grateful.

To your health,

P.S. Want to take your sexual vitality to the next level? Stay tuned for my next email. I'll reveal the surprising link between adrenal health and male reproductive power. Trust me, you won't want to miss it.

P.P.S. >>> Go here to subscribe to our Mens Health Secrets YouTube Channel if you haven't yet…. leave a comment… and level up your Mens Health knowledge to live longer.

P.P.P.S. Boring disclaimer legal stuff: Always check with your doctor... before you start any new health protocol or treatment. This includes any recommendations from our newsletter (Mens Health Secrets). This information is for entertainment and educational purposes only... and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Mens Health Secrets is not legally responsible for any actions you do... or not do from reading our newsletter. Sorry... had to say this legal stuff.

Medical References:

[1] Valdes, A. M., Walter, J., Segal, E., & Spector, T. D. (2018). Role of the gut microbiota in nutrition and health. BMJ, k2179. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.k2179

[2] Jandhyala, S. M., Talukdar, R., Subramanyam, C., Vuyyuru, H., Sasikala, M., & Reddy, D. N. (2015). Role of the normal gut microbiota. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 21(29), 8787–8803. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v21.i29.8787

[3] ….. Lv S, Huang J, Luo Y, Wen Y, Chen B, Qiu H, Chen H, Yue T, He L, Feng B, Yu Z, Zhao M, Yang Q, He M, Xiao W, Zou X, Gu C and Lu R (2024) Gut microbiota is involved in male reproductive function: a review. Front. Microbiol. 15:1371667. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1371667

[4] Pearce, M. M., Hilt, E. E., Rosenfeld, A. B., Zilliox, M. J., Thomas-White, K., Fok, C., Kliethermes, S., Schreckenberger, P. C., Brubaker, L., Gai, X., & Wolfe, A. J. (2014). The Female Urinary Microbiome: A Comparison of Women with and without Urgency Urinary Incontinence. MBio, 5(4). https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.01283-14

[5] Faure, C., Dupont, C., Baraibar, M. A., Ladouce, R., Cedrin-Durnerin, I., Wolf, J. P., & Lévy, R. (2014). In Subfertile Couple, Abdominal Fat Loss in Men Is Associated with Improvement of Sperm Quality and Pregnancy: A Case-Series. PLoS ONE, 9(2), e86300. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0086300

[6] Tremellen, K., McPhee, N., Pearce, K., Benson, S., Schedlowski, M., & Engler, H. (2018). Endotoxin-initiated inflammation reduces testosterone production in men of reproductive age. American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism, 314(3), E206–E213. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpendo.00279.2017

[7] Foster, J. A., & McVey Neufeld, K.-A. (2013). Gut–brain axis: how the microbiome influences anxiety and depression. Trends in Neurosciences, 36(5), 305–312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2013.01.005

[8] Sanchez-Alcoholado L, Castellano-Castillo D, Jordán-Martínez L, Moreno-Indias I, Cardila-Cruz P, Elena D, Muñoz-Garcia AJ, Queipo-Ortuño MI, Jimenez-Navarro M. Role of Gut Microbiota on Cardio-Metabolic Parameters and Immunity in Coronary Artery Disease Patients with and without Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus. Front Microbiol. 2017 Oct 5;8:1936. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2017.01936. PMID: 29051757; PMCID: PMC5633746.

[9] Poutahidis, T., Springer, A., Levkovich, T., Qi, P., Varian, B. J., Lakritz, J. R., Ibrahim, Y. M., Chatzigiagkos, A., Alm, E. J., & Erdman, S. E. (2014). Probiotic Microbes Sustain Youthful Serum Testosterone Levels and Testicular Size in Aging Mice. PLoS ONE, 9(1), e84877. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0084877

[10] Magri, V., Boltri, M., Cai, T., Colombo, R., Cuzzocrea, S., De Visschere, P., Gaboardi, F., Grisetti, R., Guazzoni, G., Marconi, A. M., Pavone-Macaluso, M., Trinchieri, A., Vagliasindi, F., & Wagenlehner, F. M. E. (2019). Multidisciplinary approach to prostatitis. Archivio Italiano Di Urologia e Andrologia, 90(4), 227. https://doi.org/10.4081/aiua.2018.4.227

[11] Marotta, A., Sarno, E., Del Casale, A., Pane, M., Mogna, L., Amoruso, A., Fiorio, M., & Mogna, G. (2019). Effects of Probiotics on Cognitive Reactivity, Mood, and Sleep Quality. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00164

[12] Holscher, H. D. (2017). Dietary fiber and prebiotics and the gastrointestinal microbiota. Gut Microbes, 8(2), 172–184. https://doi.org/10.1080/19490976.2017.1290756

[13] Singh, R. K., Chang, H.-W., Yan, D., Lee, K. M., Ucmak, D., Wong, K., Abrouk, M., Farahnik, B., Nakamura, M., Zhu, T. H., Bhutani, T., & Liao, W. (2017). Influence of diet on the gut microbiome and implications for human health. Journal of Translational Medicine, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-017-1175-y

[14] Househam, A. M., Peterson, C. T., Mills, P. J., & Chopra, D. (2017). The Effects of Stress and Meditation on the Immune System, Human Microbiota, and Epigenetics. Advances in Mind-Body Medicine, 31(4), 10–25. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29306937/ 

[15] Monda, V., Villano, I., Messina, A., Valenzano, A., Esposito, T., Moscatelli, F., Viggiano, A., Cibelli, G., Chieffi, S., Monda, M., & Messina, G. (2017). Exercise Modifies the Gut Microbiota with Positive Health Effects. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2017, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/3831972

[16] Goepp J, Fowler E, McBride T, Landis D. Frequency of abnormal fecal biomarkers in irritable bowel syndrome. Glob Adv Health Med. 2014 May;3(3):9-15.
https://doi.org 10.7453/gahmj.2013.099. PMID: 24891989; PMCID: PMC4030610.

[17] Rezaie, A., Buresi, M., Lembo, A., Lin, H., McCallum, R., Rao, S., Schmulson, M., Valdovinos, M., Zakko, S., & Pimentel, M. (2017). Hydrogen and Methane-Based Breath Testing in Gastrointestinal Disorders: The North American Consensus. The American Journal of Gastroenterology, 112(5), 775–784. https://doi.org/10.1038/ajg.2017.46