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Israeli study finds 54% drop in male testosterone levels over five decades

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A new Israeli study found that average male testosterone levels have dropped by 54% in less than five decades.
  • The meta-analysis combined data from over 118,000 men across five countries between 1972 and 2019, revealing a decline of over 1% per year.
  • Researchers suggest obesity, metabolic syndrome, environmental exposures, and unhealthy lifestyle habits may contribute to the decline, which parallels a documented drop in sperm counts.

A significant decline in male testosterone levels, with a 54% drop observed over less than five decades, is raising alarms among researchers. The findings, presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology meeting in London, suggest a widespread deterioration in the male hormonal system.

More research is needed. We know that obesity and metabolic syndrome contribute to the decline.

— Prof. Haggai LevinProfessor Haggai Levin, chairman of the Israel Association of Public Health Physicians at the Hebrew University and Hadassah Medical Center, discussed potential causes for the observed testosterone decline.

The study, a master's thesis project from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, involved a meta-analysis of six longitudinal studies from Israel, the United States, Brazil, Finland, and Denmark. Data from 118,593 men, measured between 1972 and 2019, were analyzed. All included studies showed declining testosterone levels over time.

Researchers estimate the total testosterone levels fell by 54%, an average decrease of more than 1% annually, with the rate accelerating after 2000. This trend remained consistent across different countries, populations, and time periods, even after adjusting for age. Professor Haggai Levin, who led the research, stated the trend is robust and not a statistical anomaly.

Other studies have shown that environmental exposures, such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals, impair testosterone production both during fetal development and later in adult life.

— Prof. Haggai LevinProfessor Haggai Levin highlighted potential environmental factors contributing to the drop in testosterone levels.

This hormonal decline mirrors previous findings by Levin's group on a significant worldwide drop in sperm counts. While the exact causes require further research, potential factors include obesity, metabolic syndrome, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and unhealthy lifestyle choices. Testosterone is crucial for libido, sperm production, muscle mass, bone density, and metabolism.

Lifestyle habits that harm health, including smoking, poor nutrition, and a sedentary lifestyle, are also associated with lower testosterone levels and reduced male fertility. This study did not directly examine male fertility, but the two go hand in hand. There are likely common underlying factors.

— Prof. Haggai LevinProfessor Haggai Levin pointed to lifestyle factors as potential contributors to the decline in testosterone and male fertility.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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