Why Testosterone Is Declining in Modern Men - And Why We Need To Start Talking About It

by Julie Smullen FNC CGP CGC

For years, hormone conversations have largely focused on women, PMS, thyroid dysfunction, burnout, fertility struggles, perimenopause and gut-related hormone imbalances.

But quietly, behind the scenes, men’s health has also been declining.

And honestly?

It’s becoming harder not to notice.

More men and even teenage boys are now struggling with symptoms associated with hormonal imbalance including:

• Fatigue

• Low motivation

• Anxiety and low mood

• Poor focus and brain fog

• Reduced muscle mass

• Weight gain

• Low libido

• Erectile dysfunction

• Fertility challenges

• Poor sleep

• Burnout

• Increased fat accumulation around the abdomen and chest

• Gynecomastia (“man boobs”)

This is something I am seeing more and more often within clinical practice.

Many men are feeling flat, exhausted, unmotivated and disconnected from themselves, but are often told it is simply stress, ageing, modern life or something to temporarily mask.

Teenage boys are also being exposed to environmental and lifestyle pressures previous generations simply did not grow up with.

And while testosterone replacement therapy may sometimes have a place, hormones do not exist in isolation.

The body must be looked at as a whole.

Because testosterone production is influenced by far more than just the testes.

It is connected to:

• Gut health

• Nervous system regulation

• Sleep

• Thyroid function

• Nutrient status

• Stress levels

• Inflammation

• Metabolic health

• Liver detoxification

• Environmental toxin exposure

• Genetics

• Mineral balance

This is why taking a holistic approach matters.

Testosterone Is Not Just About One Hormone

Testosterone is produced primarily in the testes, but the signalling starts in the brain.

The hypothalamus and pituitary gland communicate with the testes through a complex hormonal feedback loop known as the HPG axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis).

When the body is under chronic stress, inflamed, nutrient depleted, sleep deprived, metabolically dysfunctional or overloaded by environmental toxins, this system can begin to downregulate.

The result?

Lower testosterone production and impaired hormone signalling.

This is one reason why simply trying to “boost testosterone” without addressing the bigger picture often fails long term.

The body is always adapting to its environment. And right now, the modern environment is not supporting male hormone health.

The Modern World Is Working Against Men - The Testosterone Decline.

Today, men and boys are constantly exposed to endocrine-disrupting chemicals through:

• Plastics

• Food packaging

• Tap water contaminants

• Pesticides

• Synthetic fragrances

• Ultra-processed foods

• Personal care products

• Non-stick cookware

• Microplastics

• Synthetic clothing and fabrics

These compounds do not exist in isolation.

They accumulate over time and place increasing pressure on detoxification pathways, liver function, gut health and hormone regulation.

Many of these chemicals can mimic hormones within the body, interfere with testosterone production, alter estrogen metabolism and contribute to chronic inflammation and metabolic dysfunction.

Combined with poor sleep, chronic stress, sedentary lifestyles, nutrient deficiencies and processed diets, it creates the perfect environment for hormonal imbalances to develop earlier and earlier in life.

This is one reason we are now seeing issues that were once considered “older male problems” appearing in younger men and even teenagers.

Heavy Metals, Minerals and Hormone Health

Another piece that is often overlooked in hormone conversations is the impact of heavy metals and mineral imbalances on the endocrine system.

Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium and aluminium may interfere with hormone signalling, increase oxidative stress, disrupt detoxification pathways and place additional pressure on the nervous system and reproductive organs.

Research has explored how environmental toxicants may negatively affect fertility, testosterone production, thyroid health and normal hormonal development.

At the same time, modern diets, stress and environmental exposures may contribute to mineral depletion.

Minerals such as zinc, magnesium, selenium and copper play essential roles in:

• Testosterone production

• Nervous system regulation

• Detoxification

• Thyroid function

• Energy production

• Fertility and sperm health

This is one reason why mineral balance matters.

Through HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis), we can explore mineral patterns, stress responses and potential heavy metal trends that may be contributing to broader hormone and metabolic imbalances.

This can be particularly relevant for individuals experiencing symptoms such as:

• Fatigue

• Burnout

• Hormonal imbalances

• Poor stress tolerance

• Mood changes

• Sleep disturbances

• Focus issues

• Delayed or disrupted puberty patterns

• Fertility concerns

The body does not work in isolated systems.

Gut health, minerals, detoxification pathways, hormones and the nervous system are all interconnected.

Testosterone and Estrogen Imbalance in Men

Men naturally produce estrogen too. The problem occurs when the balance between testosterone and estrogen begins shifting in the wrong direction.

More men and increasingly teenage boys are now developing signs of estrogen dominance and hormonal dysregulation including:

• Increased fat accumulation around the chest and abdomen

• Gynecomastia (“man boobs”)

• Mood changes

• Low libido

• Reduced motivation

• Fertility issues

• Fatigue

• Reduced muscle tone

• Poor resilience to stress

Several factors may contribute to this shift including:

• Excess body fat increasing aromatase activity (conversion of testosterone into estrogen)

• Poor liver function

• Gut dysfunction impairing hormone clearance

• Chronic inflammation

• Insulin resistance

• Environmental toxins

• Endocrine disruptors

• Poor sleep and chronic stress

This is where genetics may also play a role.

Through SmartDNA testing, we can explore genetic tendencies related to:

• Estrogen metabolism

• Detoxification pathways

• Inflammation

• Oxidative stress

• Hormone-related pathways

• Nutrient requirements

• Neurotransmitter function

Some individuals may naturally have a reduced ability to clear hormones efficiently, particularly when combined with the toxic load many people are now living under. This however, does not mean genes determine your future.

It simply provides insight into areas that may require additional support and individualised attention.

Gut Health and Testosterone Are Deeply Connected

This is one of the most overlooked pieces.

The gut influences:

• Inflammation

• Nutrient absorption

• Detoxification

• Immune signalling

• Neurotransmitter production

• Hormone metabolism

When gut health becomes compromised through dysbiosis, chronic inflammation, infections, poor diet or increased intestinal permeability, inflammatory compounds can begin circulating through the body.

Research has shown that endotoxins derived from gut bacteria may negatively impact testosterone production. This is something I commonly see clinically.

Many men experiencing hormonal symptoms are also dealing with:

• Bloating

• Digestive issues

• Food intolerances

• Reflux

• Poor bowel habits

• Fatigue

• Skin issues

• Brain fog

• Chronic inflammation

The body works as one interconnected system. You cannot separate hormones from gut health.

Diet Matters More Than Most People Realise

Hormones require energy and raw materials to be produced properly.

Extremely restrictive diets, chronic under-eating and long-term calorie restriction may negatively impact testosterone production.

Research has shown that very low-fat diets may reduce testosterone levels, particularly when saturated fats and cholesterol become excessively restricted. Testosterone itself is synthesised from cholesterol.

Whole food sources of healthy fats may support hormone production including:

• Eggs

• Butter

• Olive oil

• Coconut oil

• Grass-fed meats

• Tallow

At the same time, heavily processed industrial seed oils have raised concerns due to their inflammatory and oxidative effects when consumed excessively within the modern diet.

Metabolic health also plays a major role.

Insulin resistance, obesity and chronic inflammation are strongly associated with lower testosterone levels in men.

The body requires adequate nourishment and energy availability to feel safe enough to prioritise reproductive hormone production.

Nutrient Deficiencies Can Affect Hormones Too

Several nutrients play important roles in testosterone production and male reproductive health including:

• Zinc

• Magnesium

• Vitamin D

• Vitamin A

• Vitamin K2

Deficiencies in these nutrients may impact testosterone production, sperm quality, energy metabolism, stress resilience and endocrine function.

Vitamin D in particular acts more like a hormone than a vitamin and plays important roles within the immune and endocrine systems.

Unfortunately, many people today are spending more time indoors, disconnected from natural sunlight, movement and circadian rhythm regulation.

Stress, Sleep and the Nervous System Matter

Modern life is incredibly dysregulating.

Chronic stress elevates cortisol and activates survival pathways within the body.

When the nervous system perceives ongoing threat, the body often prioritises survival over reproduction.

Poor sleep alone has been shown to negatively impact testosterone production.

Shift work, excessive screen exposure, overtraining, lack of recovery, emotional stress and nervous system dysregulation all place pressure on the endocrine system.

This is why foundational lifestyle factors matter more than most people realise:

• Sleep quality

• Circadian rhythm

• Sunlight exposure

• Nervous system regulation

• Recovery

• Whole food nutrition

• Strength training

• Reducing toxic load

• Stress management

The basics are often the most powerful.

How HTMA and SmartDNA May Help Provide More Insight

At Nourished With Love, I take a holistic and personalised approach when supporting clients.

Rather than looking at hormones in isolation, I focus on understanding the bigger picture and identifying possible underlying contributors.

HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) helps to provide insight into:

• Mineral balance

• Stress patterns

• Metabolic function

• Nervous system health

• Adrenal patterns

• Thyroid-related trends

• Mineral interactions involved in hormone production

• Potential heavy metal trends

Minerals such as zinc, magnesium, copper, sodium and potassium play essential roles in energy production, detoxification, stress resilience and endocrine function.

Imbalances may influence how the body responds to stress, regulates hormones and supports overall health.

SmartDNA testing helps to identify genetic tendencies related to:

• Detoxification pathways

• Estrogen clearance

• Inflammation

• Nutrient requirements

• Oxidative stress

• Neurotransmitter function

• Hormone metabolism

When combined with symptoms, history, lifestyle factors and functional nutrition support, these tools may help create a more personalised picture of what the body may need.

Looking at the Bigger Picture

Low testosterone is often not the true root problem.

It can instead be a symptom that the body is under stress, inflamed, nutrient depleted, metabolically dysfunctional or struggling to adapt to the modern environment.

This is why true health support should never be about chasing a single number on a lab test.

The body must be looked at as a whole.

At Nourished With Love, I support individuals and families through a holistic and personalised approach that may include:

• Functional nutrition

• Gut health support

• GAPS™ support

• Nervous system regulation

• Mineral balance through HTMA

• SmartDNA genetic insights

• Lifestyle and environmental support

• Functional testing

• Detoxification support

• Blood work interpretation

Because everything in the body is connected.

If you are unsure where to begin, we can discuss which support options may best suit your individual needs during your consultation.

Book a consultation here: Work With Me

References

• Travison TG et al. The relative contributions of aging, health, and lifestyle factors to serum testosterone decline in men. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

• Kelly DM & Jones TH. Testosterone and obesity. Obesity Reviews.

• Vingren JL et al. Testosterone physiology in resistance exercise and training. Sports Medicine.

• Pilz S et al. Effect of vitamin D supplementation on testosterone levels in men. Hormone and Metabolic Research.

• Prasad AS et al. Zinc status and serum testosterone levels in healthy adults. Nutrition.

• Tremellen K. Gut endotoxin leading to inflammation and impaired testosterone production. Medical Hypotheses.

• Gore AC et al. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals and reproductive health. Endocrine Reviews.

• Meeker JD & Ferguson KK. Relationship between urinary phthalates and hormone levels in men. Environmental Health Perspectives.

• Iavicoli I et al. The effects of metals as endocrine disruptors. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health.

Disclaimer

This blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat or replace medical advice. Always consult with your qualified healthcare practitioner regarding any medical concerns, symptoms, testing or treatment decisions. Individual needs and results may vary.