Influencers linked to the online “manosphere” are convincing healthy young men that normal feelings such as tiredness, low mood or stress are signs of low testosterone, according to a study published in Social Science and Medicine.
Researchers analysed high-reach posts on TikTok and Instagram and found testosterone testing and treatment were often promoted as essential to being a “real man”, despite routine screening being medically unnecessary for most young men. Many posts framed normal variations in health as problems needing medical fixes, while promoting an “alpha male” ideal.
Experts say such messaging risks unnecessary testing and treatment, which can carry side effects including infertility and cardiovascular issues. The study also found most posts had financial interests, often poorly disclosed, raising concerns about the commercial exploitation of men’s health anxieties.
