Key Findings
- Testosterone levels are important to men across generations, with 70% of U.S. men saying their level of testosterone is important to them, and nearly one-third have had their levels checked in the past 3 years.
- Testosterone is increasing in visibility, with 40% of men saying their testosterone level is more important to them today than it was one year ago.
- The majority of Gen Z are not getting their information about testosterone from medical professionals; instead, they turn to online communities, friends and family, podcasts, and social media influencers.
- Those who get their information from online communities, podcasters, or social media influencers are more likely to believe that testosterone is a measure of their masculinity, and that testosterone will help them live longer.
- Half of Gen Z men believe that the more testosterone you have, the better looking you are—significantly higher than older generations.
- Overall, men are more aware of the symptoms of low testosterone than the symptoms of high testosterone.
The State of American Testosterone Survey
*All responses include unweighted sample sizes and weighted percentages.
1. When was the last time you had your testosterone level checked?
*Sample size: 2,191
This year (18%)
Within the past three years (13%)
Over three years ago (7%)
Never (49%)
I’m not sure (13%)
2. How important is your level of testosterone to you?
*Sample Size: 2,184
Very important (36%)
Somewhat important (34%)
Not too important (17%)
Not at all important (13%)
3. Is your testosterone level more important to you today than it was one year ago?
*Sample Size: 2,177
Yes, it is more important (40%)
No, it has not changed (53%)
No, it is less important (7%)
4. What is your MAIN source of information about testosterone?
*Sample Size: 2,181
Medical professionals (doctors, pharmacists) (34%)
Friends and family (6%)
Online communities (Reddit, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook groups, etc.) (10%)
Government sources (CDC, FDA, etc.) (3%)
Traditional media (newspapers, magazines, etc.) (6%)
Podcasts or social media influencers (6%)
AI (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, etc.) (3%)
Other (please specify) (4%)
I don’t get information about testosterone from any source (27%)
5. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a treatment—via an injection, patch, pill, pellet, or gel—to increase testosterone levels. Do you know someone who is on testosterone replacement therapy?
*Sample Size: 2,161
Yes (23%)
No (64%)
Not sure (13%)
6. How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
My testosterone level is a measure of my masculinity.
*Sample Size: 2,070
Strongly agree (14%)
Somewhat agree (35%)
Somewhat disagree (25%)
Strongly disagree (26%)
Taking testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is the same as taking steroids.
*Sample Size: 2,058
Strongly agree (8%)
Somewhat agree (28%)
Somewhat disagree (32%)
Strongly disagree (32%)
Taking testosterone is a form of cheating in the gym.
*Sample Size: 2,056
Strongly agree (12%)
Somewhat agree (26%)
Somewhat disagree (33%)
Strongly disagree (29%)
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is dangerous to your health.
*Sample Size: 2,044
Strongly agree (8%)
Somewhat agree (34%)
Somewhat disagree (39%)
Strongly disagree (18%)
Having a high testosterone level will help me live longer.
*Sample Size: 2,048
Strongly agree (14%)
Somewhat agree (40%)
Somewhat disagree (31%)
Strongly disagree (15%)
The more testosterone you have, the better looking you are.
*Sample Size: 2,064
Strongly agree (10%)
Somewhat agree (27%)
Somewhat disagree (32%)
Strongly disagree (31%)
7. If you learned that a professional athlete was taking testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), would it change your opinion of them?
*Sample Size: 2,116
Yes, for the better (13%)
Yes, for the worse (16%)
No, it would not change my opinion (70%)
8. Before today, were you aware that LOW testosterone levels could cause the following symptoms?
Loss of muscle mass
*Sample Size: 2,107
Yes (69%)
No (31%)
Loss of bone density
*Sample Size: 2,103
Yes (53%)
No (47%)
Low libido
*Sample Size: 2,101
Yes (72%)
No (28%)
Increased body fat
*Sample Size: 2,098
Yes (61%)
No (39%)
Mood changes
*Sample Size: 2,102
Yes (65%)
No (35%)
Low energy or fatigue
*Sample Size: 2,120
Yes (73%)
No (27%)
9. Before today, were you aware that HIGH testosterone levels could cause the following symptoms?
Heart or liver problems
*Sample Size: 2,111
Yes (41%)
No (59%)
Infertility
*Sample Size: 2,101
Yes (38%)
No (62%)
Acne
*Sample Size: 2,101
Yes (47%)
No (53%)
Hair loss on head
*Sample Size: 2,110
Yes (43%)
No (57%)
Mood changes
*Sample Size: 2,111
Yes (58%)
No (42%)
Enlarged breasts
*Sample Size: 2,102
Yes (35%)
No (65%)
10. In your opinion, which of these celebrities has the highest testosterone level?
*Sample Size: 1,934
Jason Kelce (9%)
Joe Rogan (14%)
Timothee Chalamet (5%)
LeBron James (16%)
Robert F. Kennedy “RFK” Jr. (10%)
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (46%)
Methodology: This Men’s Health x SurveyMonkey study was conducted April 27, 2026 to May 5, 2026 among a sample of 2,191 men in the U.S. Respondents for this survey were selected from a non-probability online panel. The modeled error estimate for this survey is plus or minus 2 percentage points. Data have been weighted for age, race, education, and geography using the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey to reflect the overall demographic composition of the United States.
Rachel Epstein is the features director at Men’s Health and Women’s Health, where she leads the brands’ most ambitious storytelling across platforms from reported narratives, profiles, and investigations to buzzy, expert-backed service packages. Her work has been nominated for two National Magazine Awards. Offline, she’s likely watching a Heat game or finding a new coffee shop.
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