One of the main myths about testosterone has been debunked

Scientists from the University of Gothenburg have established that fatigue and depression in men have no direct link to testosterone levels. The results of the study are presented on the Göteborgs universitet website.

In recent years, testosterone has become almost a universal explanation for all men's health problems. There is a persistent belief that a deficiency of this hormone is behind fatigue, depressed mood, and loss of energy. However, a large-scale analysis of data from major studies conducted in the United States and Sweden has overturned conventional assumptions: the actual link between testosterone and well-being turned out to be significantly weaker than previously thought.

As physician and researcher Amar Osmancevic noted, the most noticeable correlation is indeed observed in the area of sexual health — with decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and reduced sexual activity. But even in these cases, the link to testosterone levels proved unexpectedly weak.

"At the same time, the hormone does affect certain aspects of health. Higher testosterone levels are associated with greater muscle mass and less fat within muscles — especially in the abdominal, lower back, and hip areas. This is important not only for appearance but also for metabolism," the expert explained.

In addition, the study identified a possible link between low testosterone levels and chronic inflammatory processes in the body. Nevertheless, the scientists emphasize that symptoms such as fatigue, apathy, or depression are far more often explained by entirely different factors — age, lifestyle, comorbidities, and the amount of abdominal fat.

"High testosterone alone does not guarantee good well-being, and low testosterone is not necessarily the cause of fatigue or poor mood," the researchers concluded.