Posted on 03/02/2022 6:49:43 AM PST by Heartlander
Men today have considerably less testosterone than men of the same age even a single generation ago. I’m not talking figuratively, like your boomer uncle might. I mean it: men today really do have considerably less testosterone than men of the same age even a single generation ago.
As part of the Massachusetts Male Aging Study, data were gathered on 1500 randomly selected men in the Boston area, in three separate periods spanning 17 years (1987-1989, 1995-97 and 2002-2004). Various biomarkers were measured, including levels of total testosterone as well as bioavailable testosterone – testosterone that can actually be used by the body. A 2007 study of the testosterone data showed that both total and bioavailable levels of testosterone decreased by 12% and 13% respectively each year, amounting to a 20.4% and a 22.1% decrease across the total span of the study.
These results are not a one-off; similar population-level declines have been observed across the Western world. To some scientists, such as those behind a 2012 study of Finnish men in the European Journal of Endocrinology, this has come as a real surprise. The researchers in the Finnish case noted that Finnish men scored comparatively well in studies of reproductive health, such as semen quality, instances of cryptorchidism (undescended testicles), and testicular cancer, and so thought they were unlikely to have suffered the significant decline seen in the Massachusetts Male Aging Study. What the researchers found, though, was a generational decline in testosterone levels that was just as significant, if not worse.
Master Hormone
Testosterone is the master male hormone and governs the masculinization process that occurs first in the womb and then during adolescence. Male processes governed by testosterone include the development of the penis and testes; deepening of the voice; the growth of facial and pubic hair; muscular and bone development; and libido and sperm production. Mood is also heavily dependent on testosterone levels. It’s likely that there are other functions governed by testosterone that we don’t yet know about.
The production of testosterone in men is regulated via the brain’s pituitary gland, which sends signals to the testes to produce testosterone. Levels of the hormone are closely regulated by a feedback loop. If testosterone levels are too high, the brain sends signals to the pituitary gland to reduce production.
Though men typically have much more testosterone than women, and women typically have much more estrogen than men, men and women need both testosterone and estrogen for their bodies to function properly. In men, estrogen has important roles to play in erectile function and libido, bone health, brain function, and lipid and skin metabolism; having low estrogen can be a very serious problem for men, just as it can be for women.
So if testosterone is what makes men men, and testosterone levels are decreasing, does that mean society as a whole is becoming less masculine? A society that’s becoming less masculine is a society that’s on the wane. Weak men create hard times and all that—Q.E.D., right?
That’s certainly the story as it might be told in a 4chan greentext. I’d be inclined to agree with you that, yes, the decline in testosterone is an intimate part of the “clownworld” madness that we’re living through today. Soy boys. Simps. Plant-based lifestyles. Polyamory. Incels. Furries. Et cetera… honk honk!
But as compelling as we might find the clownworld explanation, distinguishing cause and effect is hard. Is the society-wide decline in testosterone a cause of clownworld or a symptom? It’s probably impossible to know, given the complexity and number of factors involved. The relationship between observable behavior and hormone levels is hard enough to establish in laboratory conditions, let alone in the outside world. The more complex the phenomenon, the more multifarious the causes.
Swimming Upstream
But while the interplay of biology and culture is complicated there can be little doubt that the decline in testosterone indicates we’re becoming far less healthy across the West. The decline in testosterone has been linked to rising obesity levels, increasingly sedentary lifestyles, and growing exposure to harmful gender-bending chemicals. Shanna Swan, a reproductive health expert at Mount Sinai in New York, claims in her book Count Down that mankind is heading for a fertility crisis of such a magnitude that it could be as much of a threat to the species as climate change or (say) the release of a man-made bioweapon.
According to Swan, in less than 25 years the majority of men are going to be unable to reproduce. If existing data are extrapolated (a 59% decrease in the sperm levels of the average Western man between 1973 and 2011), by 2045 the sperm levels of the median man will have reached zero. What this means is that half of all men will produce absolutely no sperm at all, while the other half will produce so little as to be functionally sterile. No sperm = no babies = no future. This worst-case scenario has already been dubbed “spermageddon” in the press.
Swan points the finger of blame at our growing exposure to endocrine-disrupting (i.e. hormone-disrupting) chemicals such as phthalates and bisphenol A. These chemicals are ubiquitous in the modern world. Plastics, electronic equipment, packaging, pesticides, cosmetics, and personal hygiene products all contain chemicals that are known to interfere with the body’s hormonal balance, usually by mimicking the effects of natural estrogen. These chemicals are also known as “xenoestrogens.” By upsetting the natural balance of testosterone and estrogen in men’s (and women’s) bodies, these chemicals are causing all manner of reproductive defects, ranging from malformed genitals to sperm that can’t swim properly. Here, then, is a very clear reason we should be concerned, not just as individuals but also as a society, about the decline of testosterone.
Get Some
Societally the question is fraught, but on an individual level, there’s no doubt that having low testosterone is a nightmare for a man. If you’ve got some time, browse Reddit’s “r/lowT” thread and read a few testimonials of men experiencing fatigue, depression, malaise, and diminished sex drive.
To be a low-T man and finally experience normal testosterone levels is, quite literally, to experience a reawakening. I do everything I do—advocating for men to take control of their lives, eat properly and work out—precisely because the opposite—being a flabby low-T man with no self-control and a rotten self-image—is such a terrible and common life for men to lead these days. Who in the mainstream is telling young men that a better version of themselves is not only within their grasp but also that they should be ashamed if they choose not to reach for it? If the dissident right has a unique selling point, something that distinguishes it from all the other political options, it has to be the benefits of self-discipline. It’s amazing that we’ve reached the point where self-discipline should be the new edgy counterculture, but that’s where clownworld has led us.
If you’re worried about having low testosterone yourself, the simplest way to find out is to visit a doctor and have a blood panel taken. But even if you do have low testosterone, you don’t necessarily then need a prescription for exogenous testosterone (testosterone replacement therapy), unless you have an illness or there’s a congenital reason for you having low-T. In fact, there’s absolutely no reason why you won’t be able to raise your testosterone levels well out of the red simply by getting in shape—and by that I mean especially lifting weights—getting on top of your diet, and getting enough rest (one study suggested that you can double your testosterone levels simply by improving your sleep quality).
A society or civilization that is unable to reproduce itself is in deep trouble. But curing the testosterone deficiency problem really starts with the individual. Bucking the clownworld tendency to eat bad food, sit on the couch, and bask in the light of glowing rectangles for half the day demands a certain degree of self-directed fortitude, but the effects on your hormonal system are worth it.
I understand that you had an issue with someone from your past and his spoiled son. That you assume that these people were using performance enhancing drugs, that the P.E. drug was testosterone and that it caused these issues. From those assumptions you generalized that natural levels of testosterone are responsible for people being @$$#0/es. Maybe in some cases, but lots of people are aholes for reasons that have nothing to do with testosterone. People who cannot respond to a legitimate question without becoming obnoxious, irrational, or make a valid argument. Someone like you. In summary, a rich boy made Kevmo his b*tch, so Kevmo hates testosterone. That why he doesn’t have any.
A lot of men in San Jose are a-holes but not because of any excess testosterone. There certainly wasn’t any excess when I lived there. Low T can make men moody and angry too. Our bodies need the right balance to function properly.
Low T is bad for men and society. Men need it to properly express their masculinity. If they get to a healthily level and choose to be a-holes it is probably because they were a-holes to begin with and just have the energy to express it more. Other men get more control over their emotional state by being at the right levels.
Certainly, the younger gals do like high-T assholes
As it turns out, older women like it, too. Just tempered a bit by the security that they crave as they get older
Essence of Purity
I understand that you had an issue with someone from your past and his spoiled son.
***Yes, and now millions of people look at that guy and basically would nod in agreement at my assessment of his character and even comments about his testosterone levels.
That you assume that these people were using performance enhancing drugs,
***That is no assumption when it comes to Barry Bonds.
that the P.E. drug was testosterone and that it caused these issues.
***That is not an assumption. It is an observATION. And it’s an observation that many in the industry have made themselves & backed it up with plenty of data.
From those assumptions
***OBSERVATIONS.
you generalized
***I did NOT. I proffered an example. One that millions of people are aware of and I have my own unique perspective on. One that you DON’T have, I might add. I didn’t see YOU on that street when I was growin’ up.
that natural levels of testosterone are responsible for people being @$$#0/es.
***I didn’t say that. You’re propping up a straw argument here, a classic fallacy. It’s time for me to start steering you, Brooklyn Assitude, towards my second sentence in my original comment on this thread.
Maybe in some cases,
***Well, now, by your own straw argument you are generalizing YOURSELF. And making assumptions. It’s obvious you’re simply arguing against your own position so read my 2nd sentence and buzz off, testyboy.
but lots of people are aholes for reasons that have nothing to do with testosterone.
***Which would be outside the subject of this entire thread, a red herring, yet another straw argument. You can’t seem to stay away from those classic fallacies.
People who cannot respond to a legitimate question without becoming obnoxious, irrational, or make a valid argument.
***Yeah, YOU.
Someone like you.
***Hey, Assitude boy: You’re the one who even signed up with an attitude as a LOGIN NAME. You are the one who uses classic fallacies. You’re the obnoxious, irrational, invalid one here. That makes you the @$$#0/e in this interchange, so I’m referring you back to my 2nd sentence of my original comment and you can just shove off.
In summary, a rich boy made Kevmo his b*tch,
***Wow. You went off into the weeds real fast, Assitude boy.
so Kevmo hates testosterone.
***Straw argument. Basic jerkwad tone. Not worth responding to any more, but thanks for the entertainment value.
That why he doesn’t have any.
***Methinks the lady doth protest too much.
The relationship between testosterone and aggression may also function indirectly, as it has been proposed that testosterone does not amplify tendencies towards aggression but rather amplifies whatever tendencies will allow an individual to maintain social status when challenged.
From my source
Most studies support a link between adult criminality and testosterone. Nearly all studies of juvenile delinquency and testosterone are not significant. Most studies have also found testosterone to be associated with behaviors or personality traits linked with criminality such as antisocial behavior and alcoholism. Many studies have also been done on the relationship between more general aggressive behavior and feelings and testosterone. About half the studies have found a relationship and about half no relationship.[73] Studies have also found that testosterone facilitates aggression by modulating vasopressin receptors in the hypothalamus.[74]
There are two theories on the role of testosterone in aggression and competition.[75] The first one is the challenge hypothesis which states that testosterone would increase during puberty, thus facilitating reproductive and competitive behavior which would include aggression.[75] It is therefore the challenge of competition among males of the species that facilitates aggression and violence.[75] Studies conducted have found direct correlation between testosterone and dominance, especially among the most violent criminals in prison who had the highest testosterone levels.[75] The same research also found fathers (those outside competitive environments) had the lowest testosterone levels compared to other males.[75]
The second theory is similar and is known as “evolutionary neuroandrogenic (ENA) theory of male aggression”.[76][77] Testosterone and other androgens have evolved to masculinize a brain in order to be competitive even to the point of risking harm to the person and others. By doing so, individuals with masculinized brains as a result of pre-natal and adult life testosterone and androgens enhance their resource acquiring abilities in order to survive, attract and copulate with mates as much as possible.[76] The masculinization of the brain is not just mediated by testosterone levels at the adult stage, but also testosterone exposure in the womb as a fetus. Higher pre-natal testosterone indicated by a low digit ratio as well as adult testosterone levels increased risk of fouls or aggression among male players in a soccer game.[78] Studies have also found higher pre-natal testosterone or lower digit ratio to be correlated with higher aggression in males.[79][80][81][82][83]
The relationship between testosterone and aggression may also function indirectly, as it has been proposed that testosterone does not amplify tendencies towards aggression but rather amplifies whatever tendencies will allow an individual to maintain social status when challenged.
A lot of men in San Jose are a-holes but not because of any excess testosterone.
***A lot of men in San Jose are a-holes because of any excess testosterone. Neither one of us has the data to back up our positions. So we’re just trading assertions. Hence, it’s time to direct you to my 2nd sentence on my original comment on this thread. Perhaps you can explain to me why it’s called “Man Jose” and that is a reflection of lower T???
There certainly wasn’t any excess when I lived there.
***Got some kind of peer reviewed study to back that up? Since not, I’ll just refer you back to my 2nd sentence again.
Low T can make men moody and angry too. Our bodies need the right balance to function properly.
***Yawn. 2nd sentence.
Low T is bad for men and society.
***Sigh. 2nd sentence.
Men need it to properly express their masculinity.
***😴
If they get to a healthily level and choose to be a-holes it is probably
***Inductive reasoning. 2nd sentence...
because they were a-holes to begin with
***zzzz, second sentence.
and just have the energy to express it more.
***Through all that yawning nonsense you finally came up with sumthin sumthin but this bullsnot really aint worth my time any more.
Other men get more control over their emotional state by being at the right levels.
***More zzzz... 2nd sentence.
Oh, then there’s more:
The rise in testosterone levels during competition predicted aggression in males but not in females.[84] Subjects who interacted with hand guns and an experimental game showed rise in testosterone and aggression.[85] Natural selection might have evolved males to be more sensitive to competitive and status challenge situations and that the interacting roles of testosterone are the essential ingredient for aggressive behaviour in these situations.[86] Testosterone mediates attraction to cruel and violent cues in men by promoting extended viewing of violent stimuli.[87] Testosterone specific structural brain characteristic can predict aggressive behaviour in individuals.[88]
... men with high testosterone were significantly 27% less generous in an ultimatum game.[92] The Annual NY Academy of Sciences has also found anabolic steroid use (which increases testosterone) to be higher in teenagers, and this was associated with increased violence.[93] Studies have also found administered testosterone to increase verbal aggression and anger in some participants.[94]
A few studies indicate that the testosterone derivative estradiol (one form of estrogen) might play an important role in male aggression.[73][95][96][97] Estradiol is known to correlate with aggression in male mice.[98] Moreover, the conversion of testosterone to estradiol regulates male aggression in sparrows during breeding season.[99] Rats who were given anabolic steroids that increase testosterone were also more physically aggressive to provocation as a result of “threat sensitivity”.[100]
The relationship between testosterone and aggression may also function indirectly, as it has been proposed that testosterone does not amplify tendencies towards aggression but rather amplifies whatever tendencies will allow an individual to maintain social status when challenged.
Beyond this, you appear to be acting like the only @$$#0/ on this thread – and it sure isn’t due to testosterone… maybe you should take you own advice and “focus on some more pressing concerns.”
Wait, you return to the dog vomit of your regurgitated argument 3 times and you say I’m the only @$$#0/e on this thread? I didn’t START with the insults. @$$#0/es are the ones who START with the insults — like YOU.
You seem very keen on “defending your status”. From that same source,
In humans, testosterone appears more to promote status-seeking and social dominance than simply increasing physical aggression.
So... now I get it. It falls into place. You’re trying to defend your status. Maybe YOU should learn to read, then.
And while you’re at it, I’ll assert the position of the greatest status NON-Seeker in history and throw down with you. There’s good news and bad news. The good news is that God doesn’t allow status seeking @$$#0/es into heaven. He refuses to allow the place to be polluted by them. The bad news is: You’re a status seeking @$$#0/e. Unless you accept that Jesus is Lord, Jesus is God Himself, Jesus as Savior then you’re gonna go where all those other status-seeking @$$#0/es go, governed by the biggest status seeker in existence. Best of luck with that.
My pleasure.
Contrary to many today, we both see that he is ultimately in charge, but it is our duty to do the best that we can to help.
So how much testosterone do you take?
Oh and your second sentence is a lie. Top result of many:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24016385/
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.