A study published in Social Science and Medicine warns that “manosphere” influencers are convincing healthy young men they have low testosterone and need medical testing or treatment.
Researchers analysed popular posts on TikTok and Instagram, finding that normal experiences such as tiredness, stress or low mood were often portrayed as medical problems. According to the lead author from the University of Copenhagen, this promotes a “medicalisation of masculinity” and fuels sales of tests, supplements and hormones with little clinical justification.
Medical experts say routine testosterone screening is not recommended for young men without clear symptoms and that unnecessary treatment can carry risks, including infertility and cardiovascular problems.
