Tumbling T-Levels

A Post by: Ellaheh Gohari

June 2, 2023

Average testosterone levels have dropped significantly in American men, triggering concern and misinformation. The hormone, heavily associated with strength, aggression, and violence, is nearly synonymous with the general concept of “masculinity” in the public eye. Indeed, evolutionary researchers are sounding the alarm on this disturbing new development, making it an important public health concern to study.

The general trend of lowered testosterone levels has been used in some cases as a form of “proof” that men have become weak, with lower testosterone considered a symptom of the newest generation’s emphasis on gender parity and destruction of traditional gender norms. Meanwhile, derogatory terms like “soy-boy,” meant to describe a feminine man (the “soy” part comes from soy products supposedly increasing estrogen levels and decreasing testosterone, although studies showed it doesn’t have an effect on testosterone), emerged over the debate of men’s role in society. Still, two questions remain: why are testosterone levels dropping, and what does this mean in a public health context? Even more, how can we fix this?

First off, testosterone isn’t just a male hormone. While men generally have higher levels of testosterone, women also need the hormone to live (female testosterone levels tend to be about 5–10% of a male’s). Testosterone levels ramp up during male puberty, giving men secondary masculine traits including a lower voice, increased height, facial hair, and a prominent Adam’s apple.

Testosterone is also known as an androgen, or a sex hormone, that plays an important part in men’s reproductive health. It helps with sperm development and sex drive, making it an essential hormone for an adult male’s physical and sexual functioning. A lack of testosterone, meanwhile, can lead to problems including a decrease in fertility, bone and muscle mass, and energy.

Clearly, en masse, low testosterone levels pose a big issue for the continued health of our species at large. And indeed, at first glance, the much lower average testosterone levels (T-Levels), look extremely concerning. Doctors have posited several reasons for why this might be.

To begin, testosterone normally declines with age. The U.S. population is aging as our birth rates decrease, so the average T-Levels also dropping makes sense. Also, low T-Levels are commonly associated with poor diet, obesity, and diabetes, all on the rise in the United States.

So, what can be done to fix this? Well, lifestyle changes can play a significant role in addressing the issue of declining testosterone levels. Encouraging a healthy diet can help combat obesity and improve overall well-being, which in turn can positively impact testosterone production. Additionally, regular physical activity, including both cardiovascular exercises and strength training, has been shown to boost testosterone production.

In addition to lifestyle changes, medical interventions may be necessary for individuals with clinically low testosterone levels. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) under the supervision of a healthcare professional can help restore testosterone levels to a healthy range in cases where lifestyle changes alone are insufficient.