A study has found that “manosphere” influencers are convincing healthy young men that normal changes in mood, energy or libido mean they have low testosterone, driving unnecessary testing and treatment.
Researchers analysing popular posts on TikTok and Instagram found testosterone was often framed as essential to masculinity, despite routine screening being medically unwarranted for most young men. The findings, published in Social Science and Medicine, warn this promotes a “medicalisation of masculinity” and fuels lucrative markets for tests, supplements and hormones.
Experts say symptoms blamed on low testosterone are often linked to stress or lifestyle factors, and unnecessary treatment can carry risks such as infertility and heart problems.
