Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is the go-to, evidence-based method for boosting men’s testosterone levels. But a new contender is catching attention for its potential to boost the hormone: sermorelin.
Sermorelin is a synthetic version of naturally occurring growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). It stimulates your body to create more human growth hormone (hGH), which may play a key role in testosterone production (1).
“While hGH doesn’t directly increase testosterone levels, some studies suggest that it may indirectly affect testosterone by stimulating the release of hormones that regulate testosterone production,” says hormone specialist James R. Staheli, D.O.
Research has linked sermorelin to many of the same benefits as TRT (1). Pairing Sermorelin with TRT may pack an even bigger punch, including stronger muscles, stronger erections, and stronger skin, says Staheli.
About the Experts
James Staheli, D.O., is the Medical Director for Broad Health, Hone Health’s affiliated medical practice, and a family medicine doctor who specializes in men’s hormone health.
Joshua Calvert, M.D., is a board-certified urologist specializing in male infertility and low testosterone management.
Does Sermorelin Increase Testosterone?
Like testosterone, hGh—which supports growth and metabolism in adults—declines with age, starting in your 30s (2).
Sermorelin stimulates the production of hGH, creating a chain reaction that lays the groundwork for more testosterone to be more readily produced, Staheli says.
“Sermorelin is released by the hypothalamus to stimulate somatotroph cells in the pituitary gland,” he says.
These somatotroph cells produce and release hGH, which supports muscle and tissue repair, says urologist and men’s hormone expert Joshua Calvert, M.D.,” “When your body is in good shape, testosterone levels can rise naturally,” he says. “So, sermorelin indirectly helps create an environment that supports testosterone production.”
Sermorelin also increases levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), hormones that tell your testes to ramp up the production of testosterone and sperm (1, 3).
Combining Sermorelin with TRT
The relationship between sermorelin and testosterone is still being studied, says Calvert. But researchers suspect that taking them together may be a viable option for several health-related outcomes (1).
Muscle growth
Androgens, sex hormones that help regulate libido and muscle growth, play a key role in building lean muscle. Testosterone binds to androgen receptors in the body, triggering muscle growth. Sermorelin enhances this process by increasing hGH production, which supports the development of additional androgen receptors, explains Staheli.
“In other words, increase the number of androgen receptors, add testosterone, and you have a recipe for more muscle,” he says.
This makes sermorelin a popular choice among bodybuilders, as hGH is known to improve muscle mass, strength, and exercise performance (4). Testosterone further enhances these results by increasing muscle and reducing fat mass (1).
“Therapeutic levels of testosterone, growth hormone, and adequate androgen receptors work synergistically,” Staheli says. “Pair them with a clean diet, exercise (resistance, aerobic), and sleep, and you have a powerful combination for building lean muscle.”
Weight loss
Weight loss is another example of where sermorelin and TRT may pack a one-two punch.
Both therapies are involved in metabolism, explains Staheli. The human growth hormone triggered by sermorlin breaks down fat for energy and prevents fat storage (5, 6). Testosterone complements this by influencing what your body uses for energy—prioritizing fat burning over muscle breakdown—and regulating how your body adds fat versus muscle (7).
Men with low testosterone often struggle to burn fat and put on muscle, making this combination particularly effective for improving body composition (7).
Erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common symptom of low testosterone. Sermorelin may indirectly improve ED by boosting growth hormone levels, which can, in turn, lift testosterone. TRT is proven to help men with mild ED by raising their libido and testosterone levels (8).
Collagen production
Collagen is the basic building block that gives your skin strength, structure, and elasticity (9). The results? Improved elasticity of the skin, plus faster healing of your muscles and tendons after a workout (1).
Staheli notes that combining sermorelin and TRT may also:
Improve energy levels
Enhance libido
Improve exercise endurance
Improve wound healing
How Sermorelin is Administered
Sermorelin is usually injected into the abdomen, hip, thigh, or deltoid. Rotating the injection site each time helps prevent soreness or irritation by allowing each injection site to heal before you use it again (10).
Generally, sermorelin tends to be well-tolerated and safe for most men (1). Still, you may experience mild redness or swelling at the injection site, says Calvert. You might also experience headaches, dizziness, or water retention.
“There’s also the possibility of increased cortisol levels, which can mess with your mood and energy if they get out of whack,” Calvert says.
Other, rare side effects of sermorelin include (10):
Shortness of breath
Facial flushing
Nausea
Headache
Sleepiness
Difficulty sleeping
Trouble sitting still
Muscle or joint pain
If you take sermorelin with TRT, you may also experience side effects from the testosterone therapy. “These risks can be more significant, but if monitored and done in a controlled way, are minimal,” says Calvert.
Polycythemia, a fancy term for the thickening of your blood caused by increased red blood cell production. The condition can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack, but periodic phlebotomy, a similar process to donating blood, can usually bring red blood cell counts back to normal.
Gynecomastia, aka man boobs, is caused when testosterone converts into estrogen.
Mood swings, acne, and hair loss, especially if you’re sensitive to androgens.
Testicular shrinkage, because you stop producing your testosterone and sperm.
“If you combine [sermorelin and testosterone], you might increase your risk of cardiovascular issues or fluid retention, so careful monitoring and reasonable dosing is key,” says Calvert.
Where Can I Get Sermorelin?
Like TRT, sermorelin is only available by prescription. If you see it advertised as over-the-counter or available to buy without a prescription, don’t trust it.
Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about any health conditions you have, as well as other medications or supplements you are taking. This can help them determine whether Sermorelin is safe for you. For example, people with an underactive thyroid may not be a good fit for sermorelin, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Other Peptides and Testosterone Production
Sermorelin isn’t the only peptide that may affect testosterone production. However, other GHRPs linked to hormone regulation have considerable risks.
GHRP-2: One study found that GHRP-2 bested sermorelin at increasing hGH in men with high levels of visceral fat, the kind that wraps around your organs and increases the risk of chronic health conditions like diabetes and stroke (1). However, the FDA recently recategorized GHRP-2 as a significant risk (11).
CJC 1295 and BPC 157: These peptides have boosted muscle and improved healing in animal studies, but the FDA recently banned them due to a lack of human research regarding their safety (11). The agency noted that CJC-1295 specifically poses a risk of cardiac events.
Natural methods for boosting testosterone
With or without medications like sermorelin and TRT, there are ways to boost testosterone naturally, starting with watching your weight.
Obesity can contribute to low testosterone levels (12). For men who are overweight or obese, studies show losing at least 10 percent of body weight can increase circulating testosterone (12).
A high-protein diet including legumes and fish seems to be best for increasing testosterone (12). Other testosterone-boosting foods include leafy green veggies, fatty fish, EVOO, avocados, and even dark chocolate. Beyond diet, commit to an exercise routine, get enough sleep, drink less alcohol, and ensure you’re getting all your daily vitamins.
Bottom line
Sermorelin may indirectly increase testosterone production by directly increases testosterone production by stimulating your body to create more human growth hormone (hGH). Combining sermorelin with testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may enhance testosterone production, and improve muscle growth, weight loss, and collagen production. Both sermorelin and TRT are only available by prescription, so talk to your doctor to see if they’re right for you.
Amelia Willson is a freelance health writer and content strategist. She covers the latest trends in health and wellness and the research (or lack thereof) behind them, breaking down complex topics so that readers don't have to.
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