Influencers linked to the online “manosphere” are convincing healthy young men that normal changes in mood, energy or libido signal low testosterone, according to a study in Social Science and Medicine.
Researchers analysed popular posts on TikTok and Instagram, finding that testosterone testing and treatment were often promoted as essential to masculinity, despite routine screening being medically unnecessary for most young men.
The study warns this framing medicalises masculinity, fuels anxiety and drives sales of tests and supplements. Medical experts said symptoms blamed on low testosterone are often linked to stress or lifestyle, and unnecessary testing or treatment can carry risks such as infertility and cardiovascular problems.
