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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Lifestyle
Vishwam Sankaran

How male testosterone levels halved in 50 years

  • A new study indicates that the average testosterone levels in men may have decreased by over 50 per cent in the last five decades, confirming a significant ongoing male fertility crisis.
  • The research , a review of six long-term studies, analysed data from nearly 118,600 men across five countries between 1972 and 2019, revealing a consistent decline in testosterone levels.
  • Scientists found an average reduction rate of 54 per cent since 1979, with the pace of decline notably accelerating after 2000, representing approximately a one per cent drop each year.
  • Major contributing factors identified include obesity and diabetes, where obesity converts testosterone into oestrogen, and diabetes impairs the brain's ability to signal testosterone production.
  • Environmental factors, such as hormone-disrupting substances found in household products like "forever chemicals," are also suspected to be contributing to this widespread decline.

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