Why employers need to tackle testosterone

Low testosterone is a silent epidemic sapping the energy levels of up to one-in-four men in your workplace. 

Research has revealed that 25% of men aged 30 and above have low testosterone levels, while only 5% exhibit clinical symptoms associated with this deficiency. Here’s what employers need to know about Low-T and how to tackle it head-on. 

Low-T: the basics

Testosterone is the male hormone responsible for enhancing bone strength, powering sex drive, and helping maintain muscle mass. It primarily originates in the testicles, with production skyrocketing during puberty, triggering various side effects in young males and peaking in their 20s.

In men, testosterone levels naturally decline by approximately 2% per year starting from their mid-30s. By their 40s, more common symptoms such as mood swings, low energy, loss of muscle mass, and poor concentration tend to manifest. This hormonal imbalance can have far-reaching implications for both men’s personal health and the workplace.

According to recent research by Peppy, a staggering 39% of employees face disruptions because men wait until a health problem becomes severe before seeking assistance from their HR teams. The domino effect of low testosterone impacts not only a man’s overall well-being but also his job performance. Consequently, there is a growing demand for increased workplace support and awareness regarding male testosterone deficiency.

Men’s Health Awareness Week takes place in June, serving as a prime opportunity for organizations to examine how they can elevate men’s health, including their ‘T-levels.’ It’s high time for employers to take action and prioritize men’s health in the US workplace.

 

A broad range of symptoms

Symptoms of low testosterone can vary hugely person to person. Men with low testosterone levels may experience low energy, poor concentration, memory loss, and side effects often misdiagnosed as depression. Over time, the implications of low testosterone can be serious, making men more susceptible to serious health issues, including cardiac arrest, infertility, and osteoporosis.

While discussions on the impact of menopause on women in the workforce have deservedly taken center stage in recent years, the issue of low testosterone among working-age men is also becoming a growing concern among medical professionals in the United States.

And employers should take note.

Referred to as ‘andropause,’ the decline in testosterone levels may not present symptoms as severe as those experienced by women during menopause. However, the gradual decrease in testosterone can significantly impact men’s long-term health.

A significant challenge lies in the fact that low testosterone is often not accurately diagnosed. Symptoms are frequently attributed to “working too hard” or simply attributed to aging, leading to misdiagnoses or a lack of identification altogether.

 

The impact on your male colleagues

Men’s mental health is greatly impacted by low testosterone levels. Many men experience a general feeling of low mood and exhaustion, poor sleep quality, mood swings and irritability, often without realizing that it is hormone-related and treatable. Organizations committed to improving the mental health of their male workforce must prioritize addressing testosterone deficiency as part of their efforts.

Additionally, erectile dysfunction is a common sign that is often viewed as an embarrassing problem, leaving many men silently suffering.In severe cases, declining testosterone levels can affect sperm count and lead to the growth of ‘moobs’ or man boobs due to changes in fat distribution. Consequently, the consequences of low testosterone can extend to body image, self-confidence, and even family plans.

Most cases of low testosterone stem from factors such as aging, being overweight, or having type 2 diabetes, which are prevalent among the male population. Furthermore, younger men can also experience low testosterone due to stress, lack of sleep, poor diet, and insufficient exercise.

 

Low testosterone is all of your business

To tackle the problem, workplaces have a unique opportunity to provide employees with the practical and emotional support they need. Raising awareness among employees of all genders, ages, and life stages is crucial, enabling them to recognize the signs, symptoms, and risks of low testosterone in themselves, their colleagues, and partners. Establishing resources in the workplace that promote improved physical and mental health should be a priority.

Organizations can make support easily accessible by offering specialist men’s health services, including highly-trained urology specialist nurses, nutritionists, and fitness experts. It is essential that support is available remotely and kept entirely confidential to encourage uptake. This support should include access to at-home hormone tests and personalized expert advice on managing the side effects of low testosterone.

While there is no quick fix, lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, sleep, and work-life balance can have a remarkable impact on testosterone levels and should be explored as the initial approach. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) should be the last resort, with a thorough evaluation to rule out any underlying medical causes.

Leading employers are already transforming men’s health by connecting their employees with a team of real, human experts. Through collaboration with nutritionists, personal trainers, urology specialists, and mental health experts, individuals in various industries are building healthy habits that contribute to restoring healthy testosterone levels. By addressing low testosterone, not only will individuals benefit, but their workplaces will also thrive.

With the right holistic support and wellbeing initiatives in place, employees can identify the signs, uncover the causes, and take immediate practical steps towards rebalancing their hormone levels. By doing so, they will be empowered to bring their best selves to work each day and contribute to a healthier and more productive workforce in the United States.