this post was submitted on 15 Jul 2026
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Testosterone isn't like... You need a certain level to be a real man or something.
Hormones are very complex but here is something.
Low status males have more testosterone.
Men who have children have lower testosterone.
It isn't as simple as more=better.
It likely is, in part, related to aggression when too high.
Lower levels as men get older doesn't really seem to be a problem except advertising tells men it means they aren't good enough anymore and definitely need to buy their products to increase it.
As a feminist I am equally appalled at the attack on men's bodies as those on women.
I think there has been this big shift to constantly tell men there is something wrong with them and to sell them a fix.
It's disgusting.
I watch TV sometimes (antenna, and mostly Xena or x-files) in the evening and it's non stop erectile dysfunction medication commercials or hair loss. Or testosterone boosting supplements.
Jesus , leave men alone. They have enough shit to worry about without making them insecure about existing. The commercials are so dystopian from my female perspective.
Idk how they make men feel but nothing good.
They make us feel bad about ourselves. That's why they work. They're selling the "fix". It's the same playbook marketing people have been using against women since the beginning of advertising.
I always find it funny the reactions of men who seek hair loss treatment with a real medical service and learn that they're most likely going bald because genetically they have way too much testosterone.
Double funnies when conservatives have to face the fact that the treatment for their bald head is hormone therapy and the irony of taking hormone blockers for gender affirming therapy never crosses their mind..
As a men, I love your answer. I would upvote it 100 times if I could.
The society is always pushing the ideal of men that is bold, strong, independent, commandeering, never showing weakness. It creates a culture of toxic masculinity and deep insecurities that must be kept hidden, otherwise you are admitting to being weak and thus a lesser man. IMHO it' also a big contributor to the loneliness epidemic and incels existing.
As you said, it's similar to the problem of the completely unrealistic woman bodies shown in advertisement. It's unreachable by definition.
If you are a man, be kind, be open to others and be vulnerable. You are enough as you are, you'll live more happily if you stop chasing whatever others call "perfection", and start living your life as yourself. You are the strong one for fighting against those deeply unhealthy ideals, instead of succumbing to it.
I really support femnism too: the right of being treated as a valid person, equal to everyone else, should apply to all. Men and women alike.
Advertising has a long history of creating problems to sell you a solution. But it's just so insidious nowadays. And it seems to be targeting people at a deeper level.
These ED commercials are just so awful.
Wife ignoring you? Men at work not respecting you? Feel lonely? Also women are definitely judging you. They all KNOW you are inadequate.
It's probably because you can't produce an erection for 4 hours straight at the snap of your fingers.
They don't care that this causes cultural and society problems. They just want money.
Happily married man here. Those commercials are silly, but they're so constant that they get annoying. But someome must be giving them money if they are buying tv ads.
They have to be making a ton of money or those commercial spots are selling cheap. Idk.
There is a blue chew commercial at almost every single commercial break. Multiple versions too.
Getting some strong Andrew Tate's vibes here
sounds like you have been consuming too much manosphere bs.