Several studies confirm that testosterone count in men is lower than it was decades prior. While most men still have healthy T-levels, its widespread reduction could indicate a health crisis.

Some men have used medication or supplements, like Transparent Labs testosterone booster, to boost their memory, libido, and muscle mass. But, how significant is the testosterone decline, exactly, and what’s causing it? Should it be a cause of concern for most modern men?

Testosterone and Masculinity: Where’s the Link?

For decades, testosterone has been sold to men as the key to fortitude, strength, and “masculinity,” but do T-levels actually dictate what kind of man you are? Not at all.

Testosterone is only considered the “male” hormone because it turns female phenotypes into male fetuses. All fetuses start as a female in the womb, but when they’re washed with a surge of testosterone at six weeks, it turns the fetus male, but that doesn’t remove the estrogen.

Both men and women need estrogen and testosterone to function correctly, making it pseudoscience that “male traits” like assertiveness and bravery are unique to men. The ability to grow facial hair isn’t dependent on T-levels either; only the ability to grow muscles is.

In the end, most masculine traits or stereotypes are cultural, not biological. 

A study conducted by Stanford University actually confirms this phenomenon. Men in this study who knew they had high testosterone were more easily threatened when their status as a man was questioned, whereas lower testosterone men were unaffected by these threats.

Testosterone and Negative Health: How Prevalent Is It?

Now that we know that the link to manhood and testosterone is a myth, what about its link to adverse health outcomes? The idea that low-T in itself is a public health issue isn’t backed by science. What’s more, low-T levels won’t necessarily lead to negative health outcomes.

The normal range in males is about 270-1070 ng/dL, meaning a healthy T-level for one man won’t be the same for another. Your T-levels and how they compare to others isn’t important. What’s important is how far your T-levels are to your healthy range that determines your health.

If you have higher than normal testosterone levels, you’ll experience the following symptoms:

• Aggressive, irritable behaviour
• More acne and oily skin
• Insomnia
• Decreased sperm count
• Impotence 
• Mood swings
• Increased appetite
• Prostate enlargement
• Unexplained weight gain

If you have lower than normal testosterone levels, you’ll experience the following symptoms:

• Low sex drive
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Erectile dysfunction
• Depression

Men may blame erectile dysfunction on low testosterone, but they’re more than likely experiencing impotence due to other physical or psychological problems, like heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, insomnia, alcoholism, and tobacco use.

If you experience any of the above symptoms, speak to a doctor before using supplementation.

Low Testosterone in Modern Men: What’s its Cause?

The reason why testosterone levels keep dropping yearly isn’t clear. While scientists aren't concerned as of yet, it’s still important to consider why it’s happening. With this knowledge, we can stop its decline and avoid a legitimate hormone-related public health crisis.

Fortunately, most of the likely testosterone lowering candidates are easy to avoid or manage:

• Smoking: With everything smoking does wrong, it does one thing right, it can raise testosterone in young men. Don’t think about lighting up; it’s still a bad idea.
• Obesity: Between 1996-2016, obesity in American adults rose by 10%. Obesity (higher fat stores) tends to lower men's testosterone and converts what isn’t used into estrogen.
• Pollution: Chemicals that are commonly found in pollution, like PCBs and BPAs, inhibit testosterone and/or mimic estrogen and/or block the activity of testosterone.

While the issue of what’s lowering testosterone is a complicated issue, raising it is as simple as changing your lifestyle. The best way to prevent lowering your testosterone is by eating a healthy diet, exercising frequently, sleeping regularly, and avoiding drugs and alcohol.