A study published in Social Science and Medicine warns that influencers linked to the online “manosphere” are persuading healthy young men to believe they have low testosterone and need testing or treatment.
Researchers analysed 46 high-impact posts on TikTok and Instagram, finding that normal experiences such as fatigue, stress or changes in libido were often framed as medical problems. The lead author, Emma Grundtvig Gram of the University of Copenhagen, said this creates a sense of deficiency and fuels profitable markets for tests and supplements despite limited clinical benefit.
Medical experts say routine testosterone screening is not recommended for asymptomatic men and warn that unnecessary treatment can carry risks, including infertility and cardiovascular problems.
