A recent advertising campaign plastered across London's Tube network has sparked conversation by turning a familiar insult on its head. Posters from the health company Voy declare: 'It's not him, it's his hormones.' The phrase, long used to belittle women, is now being aimed at men, encouraging them to take their hormonal health seriously.
The Campaign and the Science Behind the Slogan
At first glance, the suggestion that men experience significant hormonal shifts might seem provocative, especially given the systemic injustices women face regarding hormonal health. However, medical experts confirm there is solid science behind the message. Dr Jeff Foster, men's medical director at Voy, explains that male hormones, particularly testosterone, do indeed fluctuate.
'We naturally produce most of our testosterone in the early hours of the morning (between 5am and 8am), and then it gradually declines over the rest of the day,' Dr Foster told Metro. 'Small things you do, like exercise, might increase it a little, but generally it is a daily repeatable peak and then drop.'
Beyond daily rhythms, men experience a longer-term decline. Testosterone levels typically begin to gradually fall from around the age of 30, decreasing by 1-2% each year. This decline is affected by numerous factors including sleep quality, diet, exercise, and underlying medical conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.
Understanding 'Andropause' and Low Testosterone
The term 'male menopause' or 'andropause' is often used to describe age-related hormonal changes. Crucially, as Dr Foster notes, not every man is affected in the same way, and it is not an abrupt shutdown like the female menopause. The Massachusetts Male Ageing Study suggests approximately 12% of men over 40 have clinically low testosterone. This figure rises to around 40% for men with type 2 diabetes.
Symptoms of low testosterone can be debilitating and mirror some menopausal experiences: loss of libido, erectile dysfunction, reduced muscle mass, increased body fat, brain fog, irritability, and mood changes. There is also strong evidence linking low testosterone to increased risks of osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and depression.
'In fact, evidence suggests that low testosterone is associated with an increase in overall mortality,' Dr Foster states. 'Effectively, if you have a testosterone deficiency, you are just more likely to die sooner.'
Acknowledging a Dual Reality in Hormonal Health
This growing focus on male hormones exists alongside a continued need to address systemic issues in women's healthcare. A 2018 study found 80% of women live with some form of hormonal imbalance, often undiagnosed. The menopause remains a life-altering transition for all women, yet access to treatment like HRT is unequal; a 2024 report found only 5.2% of Black women were prescribed HRT compared to 23.3% of white women.
Nutritionist Ollie Matthews, who specialises in male hormonal health, emphasises that while men's fluctuations are less intense, they are no less significant. 'Men in their 40s are the most at-risk demographic for suicide,' he notes, linking andropause as a contributing factor. He criticises the common response of prescribing antidepressants without investigating hormonal causes.
The Voy campaign, according to a company spokesperson, aims to tackle stigma, not to rage-bait or downplay women's experiences. 'Men are often taught to brush off hormonal symptoms or feel embarrassed by them, which stops people from getting support,' they said.
The consensus is clear: two truths can coexist. Greater awareness and destigmatisation of male hormonal health is needed, while simultaneously fighting for better, more equitable care for the hormonal health challenges all women face.
