Full Measure After Hours: What’s Causing American Men to Lose Testosterone?

Episode Release Date: April 3, 2025

Host: Cheryl Eckesson
Producer/Interviewer: Daniel Steinberger
Guest: Dr. Abraham Morgentaler, Blavatnik Faculty Fellow in Health and Longevity at Harvard Medical School

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Full Measure After Hours, host Cheryl Eckesson delves into a pressing and often overlooked health crisis: the significant decline in testosterone levels among American men. Accompanied by producer Daniel Steinberger, Cheryl explores the scientific evidence, potential causes, societal implications, and the gap in medical research addressing this issue.

The Declining Testosterone Trend

Cheryl begins by addressing the pervasive notion that American men are experiencing lower testosterone levels compared to previous generations. She reflects on initial skepticism, likening widespread disbelief to conspiracy theories, before uncovering substantial studies confirming her concerns. Cheryl states:

“It's a conspiracy theory. If it is, that's true, there is no dispute about this... a 30 year old today has maybe 20% or 25% less testosterone than his father did at the same age.”
[00:05]

Potential Causes Behind the Decline

Despite confirming the decline, Cheryl notes the scarcity of recent research into the root causes. She highlights several environmental factors that could be disrupting hormonal balances, including:

• Endocrine Disruptors: Chemicals like BHT preservatives, artificial food dyes, and additives found in processed foods.
• Medications: She references Risperdal, a drug that has been linked to hormonal disruptions such as gynecomastia in young boys.
• Plastics: The emergence of microplastics and nanoplastics in water and their presence in the testicles, potentially affecting testosterone production.

Cheryl critically examines the pharmaceutical industry's focus on treating symptoms rather than identifying and mitigating underlying causes, suggesting financial incentives may inhibit comprehensive research into prevention. She articulates:

“Established medicine is very interested in identifying disorders and diseases for the purposes of selling expensive medicines and treatments, but not necessarily for identifying the causes.”
[02:30]

Implications for Men and Society

The decline in testosterone has far-reaching implications beyond individual health. Cheryl discusses how reduced testosterone levels can affect male behavior, fertility rates, and societal roles traditionally associated with higher testosterone levels. She warns of potential future scenarios where diminished testosterone could lead to:

• Decreased Fertility: Lower birth rates already observed in Western developed countries may worsen.
• Behavioral Changes: Reduced energy, motivation, and overall vitality could impact leadership and protective roles traditionally held by men.

Interview with Dr. Abraham Morgentaler

To provide expert insights, Cheryl introduces Dr. Abraham Morgentaler, a renowned testosterone researcher from Harvard Medical School. Daniel Steinberger facilitates the conversation, uncovering Dr. Morgentaler’s extensive background and research.

Dr. Morgentaler’s Journey and Research

Dr. Morgentaler shares his personal journey, illustrating his deep-rooted interest in testosterone through early research involving lizards:

“Testosterone was a brain hormone. I published my first paper on this, 1978, that dates me.”
[05:56]

He explains how his medical practice revealed that testosterone therapy not only improved sexual function but also enhanced overall well-being without increasing prostate cancer risks—challenging longstanding medical assumptions.

Current Understanding of Testosterone Decline

Dr. Morgentaler confirms the consistent findings across multiple studies showing a 10-20% decline in testosterone levels over the past 40-50 years among middle-aged men:

“So today the average testosterone level is about 450 nanograms per deciliter... 50 years ago... was probably around 500 or 550.”
[21:32]

He attributes this decline to factors such as the obesity epidemic, exposure to endocrine disruptors, and the pervasive presence of plastics.

Behavioral and Societal Impact

Discussing the broader implications, Dr. Morgentaler emphasizes the societal shifts that could result from sustained low testosterone levels in men:

“Men who have low levels of testosterone don't have the get up and go to do often what they've done in their male positions...”
[20:24]

He warns about potential future challenges, including reduced fertility and diminished physical and mental health among men.

Treatment and Risks

Addressing the treatment landscape, Dr. Morgentaler outlines various testosterone replacement therapies available today and dispels common misconceptions regarding their safety:

“One of the reasons there's been resistance amongst the mainstream medical community... fear that goes back to the 1940s that testosterone might increase the risk of prostate cancer... now have large randomized controlled trials that show no increased risk whatsoever.”
[29:49]

He advocates for increased awareness and proactive treatment, stressing that testosterone deficiency significantly affects quality of life and overall health.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

Cheryl wraps up the episode by reiterating the critical need for further research into the causes of declining testosterone levels. She underscores the importance of addressing environmental factors and encouraging medical professionals to prioritize preventive measures alongside treatment.

“Make up your own mind, think for yourself.”
[End of Transcript]

Dr. Morgentaler leaves listeners with a poignant reminder of the potential long-term consequences if the trend continues unchecked, emphasizing the urgency to act before more severe health and societal impacts emerge.

Notable Quotes

• Cheryl Eckesson:
  “It's a conspiracy theory... a 30 year old today has maybe 20% or 25% less testosterone than his father did at the same age.”
  [00:05]

• Dr. Abraham Morgentaler:
  “Testosterone was a brain hormone... I published my first paper on this, 1978, that dates me.”
  [05:56]

• Cheryl Eckesson:
  “Established medicine is very interested in identifying disorders and diseases for the purposes of selling expensive medicines and treatments, but not necessarily for identifying the causes.”
  [02:30]

• Dr. Abraham Morgentaler:
  “Men who have low levels of testosterone don't have the get up and go to do often what they've done in their male positions...”
  [20:24]

• Dr. Abraham Morgentaler:
  “It's lousy to have... a deficiency of testosterone.”
  [17:50]

• Dr. Abraham Morgentaler:
  “It's unbelievable what it tells us [about health].”
  [16:25]

Final Thoughts

This episode of Full Measure After Hours serves as a crucial wake-up call about the silent epidemic of declining testosterone levels in men. Through thorough investigation and expert testimony, Cheryl Eckesson and Daniel Steinberger shed light on the urgency of addressing this health crisis, advocating for a paradigm shift from merely treating symptoms to uncovering and mitigating the root environmental causes.

Listeners are encouraged to stay informed, seek medical advice if experiencing symptoms, and support independent journalism that challenges established medical narratives and prioritizes genuine public health concerns.

For more information and to watch the full interview, visit CherylAttkisson.com or FullMeasure.News.