‘Manosphere’ influencers pushing testosterone tests are convincing healthy young men there is something wrong with them, study finds. 🔬🧬 Researcher points to ‘medicalisation of masculinity’ after investigating how men’s health is being monetised online. 💰🧪

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#manosphere #masculinity #menshealth #medicalisation #monetisation

🚨 Influencers Exploit Masculinity Narrative Online
A study published in Social Science and Medicine reveals how TikTok and Instagram influencers, with millions of followers, are targeting young men with marketing for testosterone tests and treatments. They often frame normal bodily variations as signs of low testosterone, promoting a narrow, idealized version of masculinity linked to dominance and sexual success.

📈 Financial Motives Behind Health Claims
Researchers analyzed 46 high-impact posts and found 72% had financial interests, such as selling testosterone products or being sponsored by the industry. Two-thirds included direct links or promo codes, often without clear disclosure of conflicts of interest, fueling a lucrative market for unproven treatments.

🧑‍⚕️ Medical Professionals Urge Caution on Testing
Endocrinologists and public health researchers emphasize that routine testosterone screening is not medically warranted for most young, asymptomatic men. Symptoms often attributed to low testosterone can overlap with stress, fatigue, or depression, and unnecessary testing or treatment carries risks including masking underlying conditions and potential side effects.

#MensHealth #InfluencerMarketing #HealthScam

❤️ Men's heart attack risk begins to rise significantly around age 35, several years before women, according to a long-term U.S. study.

🗓️ The study, tracking over 5,100 adults from the mid-1980s to 2020, found men reached a 5% cardiovascular disease risk about seven years earlier than women.

🔬 Coronary heart disease was the primary driver of this gap, with men reaching a 2% incidence more than a decade earlier than women.

💡 These findings suggest heart disease prevention and screening should start earlier in adulthood, particularly for men, as traditional risk factors alone don't fully explain the difference.

#HeartHealth #Cardiology #MensHealth

Half of all men over 60 have prostate cancer – an AI diagnostic tool could identify which need followup. Examinations have detected prostate cancer in 10 per cent of 50-year-olds, 50 per cent of 60-year-olds and approximately 70 per cent of men over the age of 80.

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#ProstateHealth #AIDiagnostic #MensHealth #ProstateCancerAwareness #EarlyDetection

✨ New research published in Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology suggests a woman's age and reproductive status significantly influence her preferences for male physical traits.

✨ Postmenopausal women, unlike those still in their reproductive years, rated V-shaped torsos (broad shoulders, narrow hips) as less attractive, potentially indicating a shift away from prioritizing traditional markers of "good genes."

✨ Older women showed a distinct preference for men with medium to full beards, a preference that increased with their age, suggesting beards might signal maturity and social status more than raw genetic fitness.

✨ Perceptions of aggression also differed, with postmenopausal women rating moderately muscular men as more aggressive, possibly viewing visible muscle as a potential threat rather than a sign of protection.

#MensHealth #RelationshipGoals #ScienceNews

⚫ A new study from Chiba University in Japan found that spousal loss significantly increases the risk of dementia and mortality in men, but not women. Widowed men showed declines in physical and cognitive health, and social support, while widowed women reported increased happiness and life satisfaction over time.

⚫ The research, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, analyzed data from nearly 26,000 participants. It revealed that widowed men were at higher risk for dementia, death, depression, and reduced daily functioning compared to non-widowed men.

⚫ While both genders became more socially active, only men experienced a decrease in social support. Widowed men also reported increased alcohol consumption, whereas women became more sedentary.

⚫ Researchers suggest these differences may stem from traditional gender roles, with men often relying more heavily on spouses for support and women sometimes experiencing relief from caregiving burdens.

#Bereavement #MensHealth #Grief

💡 Experts urge inclusion of men's pre-conception health in guidelines, citing its impact on pregnancy and child outcomes. A review in The Lancet highlights overlooked clinical (e.g., sperm health) and behavioral factors.

🌱 Focus on men's health, including sperm quality influenced by lifestyle (smoking, obesity, alcohol), could significantly improve pregnancy success and child health, according to researchers.

🤝 Partner support, both practical (e.g., attending appointments) and emotional, is linked to healthier pregnancies, underscoring the broader impact of men and partners on future generations.

#MensHealth #Pregnancy #Parenting

🔬 New research suggests frequent ejaculation may improve male fertility by reducing DNA damage and oxidative stress in sperm over time.

📊 A large meta-analysis of 115 human studies (nearly 55,000 men) and 56 animal studies found sperm deteriorates with storage in males, regardless of age.

💡 Current WHO guidelines recommending 2-7 days of abstinence before fertility tests prioritize sperm count over quality, potentially impacting success rates.

📈 A clinical trial showed a 46% pregnancy rate with less than 48 hours of abstinence versus 36% with 2-7 days during IVF treatment.

#Fertility #MensHealth #IVF

🍆 Men reporting 21+ ejaculations per month showed about a 20% lower risk of prostate cancer than those reporting 4-7 times monthly. This finding, from a Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study published in European Urology, links higher ejaculation frequency to fewer subsequent cases, particularly for low-risk tumors.

🥗 Beyond ejaculation, diet plays a role. Johns Hopkins Medicine suggests limiting trans and saturated fats, while increasing omega-3 sources like fish, nuts, and seeds can dampen inflammation. Colorful produce and green tea also offer compounds that may slow cancer cells.

🏃 Regular movement and avoiding smoking are key. Exercise helps manage body fat and hormone levels, impacting prostate cell growth. Smoking exposes the body to harmful chemicals that can damage genetic material and worsen cancer spread.

🧬 Family history remains significant; a father or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles risk. Knowing your background can inform screening discussions, especially for Black men over 50, with regular checkups and PSA tests crucial for early detection.

#ProstateCancer #Health #MensHealth

🧠 A study in young men found higher intelligence linked to better physical traits like grip strength and a masculine body shape.

🤝 Research also suggests that higher intelligence correlates with less promiscuous sexual behavior, supporting the idea of a general fitness factor steering smarter men towards monogamous strategies.

📊 The study analyzed 41 young men (ages 18-33) from the American Midwest, measuring cognitive ability, sexual habits, shoulder-to-hip ratio, and grip strength.

#Intelligence #MensHealth #EvolutionaryPsychology

👶 A Northwestern University study examined 130,267 Georgia births in 2017, tracking fathers' deaths through 2022. Of 796 fathers who died within five years, 60% of deaths were preventable (homicide, accidental injury, suicide, overdose).

🏥 This JAMA Pediatrics study is the first to examine paternal mortality in the years following a child's birth, a "huge blind spot" according to lead author Dr. Craig Garfield. Preventable deaths are linked to social vulnerability.

📊 Despite preventable deaths, fatherhood appears protective: after age 20, fathers had consistently lower death rates than non-fathers. For men aged 30-34 in Georgia, the death rate for fathers was 120 per 100,000 vs. 231 per 100,000 for non-fathers.

📉 Higher homicide risk was linked to Medicaid-paid births and unmarried status. Fathers who died were more likely to be older, non-Hispanic Black, unmarried, from rural areas, and have Medicaid-paid births.

#PaternalHealth #PublicHealth #MensHealth

🌍 Global fertility trend shifted in 2024: Women now have higher fertility than men, a historical turning point driven by an increasing male population share. This is linked to factors like sex-selective abortions, lower male mortality, and more boys being born.

📊 This demographic shift has occurred at different times globally. Europe and North America saw this change in the 1960s-70s, while it's only recently happening in Oceania, South America, and Asia. Sub-Saharan Africa is not expected to see this shift until 2100.

⚖️ The study, published in PNAS, highlights societal challenges from increased male childlessness, including poorer health and dependency. Researchers propose strengthening women's societal position, investing in education/jobs for men, and providing social/technological solutions for single, childless men to mitigate social conflict and promote gender equality.

#Demographics #GlobalTrends #MensHealth

White men do not experience the best health relative to women and minority racial and gender groups in the US. Men are 4 times as likely to die by suicide as women, and White men account for more than 68% of suicide deaths. White men experienced greater declines in happiness than White women.

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#MensHealth #PublicHealth #MentalHealthAwareness

🔬 Father's Stress Before Conception Linked to Offspring Growth: New research from CU Anschutz suggests a father's stress can alter small molecular signals in sperm, influencing a child's growth after birth, not by changing DNA, but through molecules like "let 7f 5p."

📈 Sperm Carry More Than Genes: This study, published in iScience, indicates sperm carry molecular signals shaped by life experiences, including stress. In mice, increased levels of the stress-responsive molecule "let 7f 5p" in fertilized eggs led to larger male offspring with longer bones, even with normal eating habits.

💡 Preconception Health Extends Beyond Genetics: The findings emphasize that a father's life experiences and stress levels before conception can create biological signals in sperm that shape a child's early development and long-term health, including physical growth.

#MensHealth #Parenting #ScienceNews

🔬 UNIGE study on 94 Swiss conscripts (aged 18-23) shows cannabis use leads to a ~23% increase in testosterone in young men, specifically originating from the testes.

🔬 Researchers identified two new potential biomarkers for regular cannabis use: hydroxyprogesterone (11B-OHP4) and dihydroprogesterone (5B-DHP4).

🔬 Despite the testosterone increase, the study found no clear impact on male fertility or sperm quality, suggesting a complex relationship and potential compensatory responses by the body.

#CannabisResearch #Testosterone #MensHealth

⚡️ Men who prefer staying up late may be more prone to acquired premature ejaculation, experiencing more severe symptoms.

⚡️ A study of 1,011 men found an association between an evening chronotype (night owls) and acquired premature ejaculation, partly explained by lifestyle habits like diet and exercise.

⚡️ The research, published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, suggests that disruptions in circadian rhythms and less healthy daily routines may contribute to the condition.

#SexualHealth #MensHealth #SleepScience

🧠 Men with testosterone levels significantly higher or lower than average for their age group show an increased risk of depression. This finding, from a study of 133,733 men aged 40-70, suggests hormonal imbalances can signal mental health vulnerabilities, particularly in men around their early fifties.

📊 The study, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, analyzed data from the UK Biobank over nearly 11 years. Researchers compared total and free testosterone levels to age-adjusted averages, finding low free testosterone was linked to about twice the risk of developing depression and a higher chance of experiencing both anxiety and depression simultaneously.

📈 The risk for mood disorders due to hormonal imbalances was strongest in middle-aged men. For example, men aged 50-54 with low free testosterone had roughly a fivefold increase in anxiety risk, while those aged 55-59 with low free testosterone saw more than triple the risk of depression.

#MensHealth #MentalHealth #Testosterone

• 🌸 Research suggests Japanese men perceive waist-to-bust ratio (WBR) as a stronger indicator of female attractiveness than waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), challenging the idea of universal beauty standards.

• 🔬 A study by Tomohiro Suzuki used realistic 3D models of Japanese women and found WBRs of 0.6 and 0.7 were rated highest, with lower ratios indicating a larger bust relative to the waist.

• 📊 The findings, published in Japanese Psychological Research, indicate cultural influences like media exposure may shape physical preferences more than biological instincts, with extreme preferences for certain WBRs being rare in actual Japanese body types.

#MensHealth #BeautyStandards #CulturalPsychology

✅ New research suggests deep belly fat (visceral fat) may be a more significant factor in lowering testosterone levels in men than chronological aging alone, particularly for those aged 20-59.

✅ A review of nearly 5,000 US men found visceral fat strongly linked to testosterone suppression, influencing hormone levels more than age within this group.

✅ Scientists Karl Friedl and Adam Potter suggest visceral fat, which wraps around organs, should be the "primary adiposity correlate of low testosterone in US men," potentially impacting hormone production through insulin resistance and inflammation.

#Testosterone #Health #MensHealth

The assumption that men’s interest in sex is purely physical and always switched on is a common stereotype, but recent evidence indicates that men’s sexual desire is actually quite complex. When men felt happy and equal in their partnerships, their interest in solitary sexual activities decreased.

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#MensHealth #SexualDesire #RelationshipWellbeing