Hi, I’m Yves. In a recent discussion, a Venn diagram highlights testosterone as the central theme linking MAHA with Pete Hegseth’s advocacy for what might initially seem like a caricature of masculinity. It raises the question: what else could fall into this intersection?
If you think about it, beyond stress, another factor that significantly lowers testosterone is watching “your” sports team suffer a loss.
On a more serious note, I recently attended a presentation by a doctor focused on hormone supplementation, particularly testosterone, within our aging community. I was unsettled by the minimal mention of the increased risk of prostate cancer associated with higher testosterone levels. While she did highlight that boosted testosterone can enhance libido, she failed to discuss potential negatives such as gynecomastia, or “man boobs.”
By Adam Stanaland, Assistant Professor of Psychology, University of Richmond. Originally published at The Conversation
What exactly qualifies as “too low” for testosterone levels? When Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced in July 2026 that service members aged 30 and older would undergo yearly testosterone testing, he did not define what level would require treatment. This omission is noteworthy since the designation of “low” can vary based on the lab conducting the test and the doctor’s guidelines.
This announcement arrives amidst a nationwide testosterone surge: prescriptions rose to nearly 12 million in 2025, a 154% increase since 2020, particularly among men in their late 30s and 40s. The rise reflects the growing influence of online clinics promoting testosterone as a lifestyle enhancement.
As a psychologist studying masculinity, I believe that the notion of increasing testosterone to make a man tougher or a more capable soldier is fundamentally flawed.
Understanding Testosterone’s Role
Testosterone is frequently labeled as a “male” hormone, yet individuals of all genders produce it in various amounts.
In boys and men, testosterone levels rise during puberty, contributing to muscle development, body hair growth, and sperm production. After the age of 30, testosterone levels naturally decline. When someone experiences symptoms like severe fatigue or low libido due to significantly reduced levels, testosterone replacement therapy may be beneficial under medical guidance.
However, “normal” testosterone levels encompass a broad spectrum. Endocrinologists define healthy testosterone levels as ranging from approximately 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter. Within this spectrum, a man’s testosterone level provides little insight into traits associated with masculinity.
Testosterone does relate to muscle mass, but in healthy individuals, it does not correlate directly with strength—factors like training, nutrition, and sleep play more significant roles. As endocrinologist Adrian Dobs noted, a man with a testosterone level of 700 is not inherently stronger or more masculine than one with a level of 300.
Furthermore, testosterone levels are not static; they fluctuate throughout the day and vary with the seasons. Therefore, healthcare professionals typically assess testosterone only when symptoms emerge, as mass screening of healthy males could be potentially harmful.
It’s important to note that testosterone therapy can involve risks. Supplementation can cause the body to reduce its natural testosterone production, potentially resulting in testicular shrinkage and reduced sperm count. Some studies have even explored testosterone’s contraceptive properties.
Additionally, testosterone stimulates oil glands and hair follicles and is partially converted into estrogen, which can lead to acne, hair loss, and even development of breast tissue.
This “high-T” ideal, propagated by online clinics and now supported at high levels, overlooks these potential risks.
The Fallacy of the Macho Ideal
Extensive research contradicts Hegseth’s assertion that higher testosterone correlates with being more aggressive or dominant.
A comprehensive 2001 analysis of data from 45 studies involving nearly 10,000 participants revealed only a minor correlation between testosterone levels and aggression. Subsequent research in 2020 that administered testosterone to participants to test its effects on aggression found only weak evidence. Notably, aggression related to testosterone primarily appeared in men who were already dominant or impulsive.
Interestingly, behavior often influences testosterone levels rather than the other way around. A study showed that men who handled a gun for just 15 minutes experienced greater testosterone spikes and exhibited more aggressive behavior compared to those who engaged with a board game. Conversely, new fathers observed significant drops in testosterone as they took on more physical care of their children.
When aggression does arise in men, it is typically triggered by social factors. My own research indicates that threats to a man’s sense of masculinity—as opposed to threats to femininity—often provoke aggressive responses. Those most reactive are usually men who feel intense societal pressure to conform to masculine standards.
The relationship between aggression and the fear of inadequacy in manhood begins at an early age. In research involving over 200 adolescent boys and their parents, my team found that boys who reacted aggressively to perceived threats to their masculinity often felt external pressures to conform to masculine ideals, particularly from parents who endorse specific beliefs about manhood, such as the notion that men should wield power over others.
This interplay between biology, social pressure, and development shapes how boys transition into adulthood. Contrary to Hegseth’s claim that manhood can simply be enhanced with chemicals, research indicates that although hormones might set the stage, the surrounding social environment plays a crucial role in shaping behavior.
Military Life and Testosterone Levels
Ironically, the demands of military service often lead to lower testosterone levels.
A 2020 study focusing on U.S. Army Rangers revealed that the sleep deprivation typical of their training significantly diminished testosterone levels.
Factors such as prolonged stress, inadequate sleep, exposure to blasts, and subpar nutrition can lead to a health condition known as “Operator Syndrome.” In extreme cases, the working conditions experienced by special operators can reduce testosterone levels in a 35-year-old to those typically found in an 80-year-old.
This creates a paradox: the military imposes conditions that lower testosterone levels and then suggests remedying this situation through more testosterone. The psychologist who coined the term “Operator Syndrome” warns that administering testosterone will not restore health since the primary issues stem from sleep, stress, and injury.
Double Standards in Hormonal Treatment
In February 2025, the Pentagon suspended gender-affirming hormone therapy for transgender service members, citing compatibility concerns with military “readiness” and “lethality.” However, prescribing testosterone to align a cisgender man’s body with the Pentagon’s masculine ideals is in essence hormone therapy as well.
This contradiction has not gone unnoticed; legal advocates highlighted the inconsistency: the same category of medication is disqualifying for one group of service members while being rebranded as a means of optimizing another group.
Thus, requiring testosterone levels to define soldier readiness does not enhance toughness. Instead, it surfaces an anxiety that no hormone can address. My research suggests that men who feel the most pressure to assert their masculinity often view it as a fragile status, one that must be repeatedly earned. Ultimately, framing military readiness around testosterone test results can heighten anxiety concerning masculinity. True strength, the kind that withstands challenges, cannot simply be augmented by hormones. While testosterone does have biological functions, it is not a definitive measure of a man’s or a soldier’s worth.
