A large-scale meta-analysis revealed that since 1972, the global level of male hormone has decreased by 54%, and this alarming trend is accelerating annually.
Men worldwide are massively losing male hormone / © pixabay.com
Over the past half-century, the average testosterone level in men globally has declined by more than half, indicating a widespread crisis in male reproductive health. Scientists attribute the sharp drop in this key hormone to the global prevalence of obesity, diabetes, as well as the adverse effects of household chemicals and climate change.
This is reported by The Guardian.
The Scale of Testosterone Decline
Data on the rapid decrease in hormone levels were presented at the annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in London. Researchers conducted a meta-analysis of six previous long-term studies, combining data from 118,593 men from Israel, the USA, Brazil, Finland, and Denmark for the period from 1972 to 2019.
The results showed an overall decline in testosterone levels by 54%, with this process noticeably accelerating after the year 2000.
“We are observing a decrease in total testosterone by more than 50% over this period. This reflects a decline of more than 1% each year, so it’s not a random event, it’s not a statistical error. It’s a very strong trend,” emphasized Professor Hagai Levine from the School of Public Health and Community Medicine at the Hebrew University.
The Role of Obesity and Environment
The relationship between testosterone levels and overall health is complex. Testosterone regulates sperm production, libido, aids in muscle mass and bone density development, and also influences mood and metabolism.
Medical professionals note that excess body fat increases the conversion of testosterone to estrogen, inevitably leading to a decrease in male hormone. Professor Levine suggests that a quarter to half of this global decline can be attributed to obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Professor Channa Jayasena from Imperial College London and a consultant in reproductive endocrinology adds that obesity and diabetes may not be the sole causes. According to him, scientists are yet to determine the exact role played by environmental factors and endocrine-disrupting chemicals in this phenomenon.
The Danger of Hormone Supplements
Amidst the alarming news about declining testosterone levels, advertisements for various testosterone supplements have begun to spread actively on social media. However, doctors strongly caution against self-medication.
Professor Allan Pacey, an andrology expert from the University of Manchester, emphasizes that the use of such preparations carries a very dangerous side effect. According to the specialist, if a man is given artificial testosterone, his body simply stops producing sperm naturally, which deals a devastating blow to reproductive function.
Recall that doctors previously warned about a dangerous male condition threatening one in five men. Essentially, the pathology is the enlargement of one or more veins in the scrotum, which ultimately disrupts the optimal conditions for sperm maturation.
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