A study warns that “manosphere” influencers are convincing healthy young men that normal changes in energy, mood or libido mean they have low testosterone, fuelling unnecessary testing and treatment. Researchers analysed popular posts on TikTok and Instagram, published in Social Science and Medicine, and found testosterone was marketed as essential to being a “real man”.
The lead author, from the University of Copenhagen, said influencers often medicalised ordinary experiences to sell tests, supplements or hormones, reinforcing narrow ideas of masculinity. Medical experts stressed that routine testosterone screening in young, symptom-free men is not recommended and can carry risks, including infertility and heart problems, while many posts failed to clearly disclose financial interests.
