Does being a dad lower testosterone?

There is evidence supporting that being a young father decreases testosterone. Men who spend the most time with their young children tend to have the lowest levels. There are many theories as to why this happens ranging from the impact of stress and sleep deprivation to an evolutionary shift in priorities.

After a child is born men generally shift their focus from competitive mating to caregiving and the more physical caregiving they participate in, the more hormone levels are affected. Beyond that the stress and sleep deprivation that often come with raising a young family can also cause a decline in testosterone levels, impacting overall health and well-being.

Although the decline in testosterone you see with young fathers may have evolutionary benefits it can come at the expense of a man’s quality of life. With more and more men in modern society sharing the caregiving roles we will likely see more of that impact.

Low testosterone is associated with low libido (sex drive) and mood changes both of which have the potential to negatively impact a man’s emotional and intimate relationship with his partner. More generally speaking low testosterone has a significant impact on energy levels which can have additive effects when it starts to impact lifestyle choices (e.g., less exercise, poorer diet choices) that further exacerbate hormonal disturbances.

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a possible solution. One thing to remember though is that TRT can impair fertility so if a man is still growing his family, it may not be the right choice for him. Some medications can mitigate this effect if TRT is desired, but it is something that should be discussed on an individual basis with a medical provider.

Testosterone levels typically start to decline at age 30, add a growing family on top of that, and by 40 many men are experiencing the effects of testosterone deficiency. The good news is that there are solutions available to help mitigate the undesired effects of low testosterone for men who are good candidates for treatment.