An analysis based on the men's health study (n = 502) by Adon Health and Appinio. The survey was conducted between April 15 and 18 by the market research company Appinio.
The Silent Health Crisis Among Men
For decades, health has been considered a topic men should deal with on the side: don't complain, keep going, carry on. Prevention? Showing weakness? Only in an emergency. But this attitude comes at a price—not only health-wise, but also socially and economically. Because while men still have a significantly shorter life expectancy than women (Destatis, 2025), they are less likely to attend preventive screenings, are reluctant to talk about health problems, and often feel they are not taken seriously when it comes to symptoms that are "not visible": fatigue, loss of libido, and mood swings.
Against this backdrop, Adon Health, together with its market research partner Appinio, conducted a representative survey of 502 men in Germany. The goal was to find out: How important is health really to men? What do they know about their hormonal system, especially testosterone? And are they willing to invest in their health—financially and mentally?
Men's Health: A Gap Between Aspiration and Reality
The results initially show a surprisingly clear picture: health is highly valued by men. Nearly 90% of respondents state that their health is "important" or even "very important" to them in everyday life. But as soon as it comes to concrete action, it becomes clear that there is often a large gap between awareness and behavior. Only 38% attend regular medical check-ups. At the same time, nearly 40% of men stated that they rated their health as satisfactory, poor, or very poor.
Their approach to diet and exercise also leaves much to be desired. Although over 70% of respondents exercise at least occasionally, only a small proportion do so regularly with a structured plan. Accordingly, their self-assessment of their energy level is mediocre: Nearly half describe their energy level as mediocre or worse, while only around 11% consider their energy level to be high. The crucial question, therefore, is not whether men want to be healthy, but: Why don't they act accordingly?
Testosterone: A Central Topic That Hardly Anyone Understands
A particularly revealing part of the survey concerned testosterone, a hormone that plays a key role in men's health. Although 7 out of 10 respondents believe that testosterone deficiency is a relevant issue for men in Germany, only 50% have ever really looked into the topic. Even more striking: Only 9 percent have ever had their hormone status or testosterone levels tested.
Awareness of possible symptoms is certainly present. Fatigue, loss of libido, muscle weakness, and depressive moods were cited by many as possible consequences of a deficiency. Nevertheless, around 60 percent estimate their own testosterone level to be "probably within the normal range" without ever having had an objective measurement. The reasons why a test has not yet been done are multifaceted: a lack of information, costs, a lack of medical recommendation, and uncertainty about how and where such a test can even be sensibly carried out.
Men Are Willing to Invest in Their Health
This finding is particularly exciting for the healthcare industry: men are quite willing to spend money on their health. Over 78 percent stated that they regularly spend money on health and personal care. They invest most frequently in dietary supplements, gym memberships, physiotherapy, and skincare and haircare products. Monthly health spending for the majority is between 51 and 100 euros, a clear signal of increased willingness to pay.
This willingness increases further when it comes to personalized, medically recommended measures: Only 2.4% of the men surveyed would fundamentally reject testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in the event of a diagnosed deficiency. Nearly two-thirds could imagine a telemedicine-supported hormone therapy, with digital support, medical video consultations, and regular laboratory monitoring. This shows: There is a new generation of men who are open to modern care models, as long as they are medically sound and individually comprehensible.
Trust, Education, Implementation
The motivation to deal with hormonal health is there, especially when it comes to energy, mental clarity, and athletic performance. But trust remains a limiting factor: Only just under 44 percent of respondents trust information on social media about testosterone. Although many men use Instagram (58%), YouTube (80%), or TikTok (52%) to inform themselves about health topics, skepticism toward unqualified sources is high. What is in demand is content that is medically sound, easy to understand, and practically oriented, ideally supplemented by medical guidance.
This is exactly where Adon Health comes in: With an integrated care model combining modern laboratory diagnostics, medical telemedicine, and a digital therapy platform, we are creating a new reality for men's health. Low-threshold, data-driven, and tailored to our patients' individual goals. Whether fatigue, lack of motivation, loss of libido, or athletic stagnation—many of these symptoms can be caused by a hormonal imbalance. Adon Health makes this measurable and treatable.
Research Perspective: Why the Topic Is So Important
Our survey results confirm key findings from the scientific literature. Studies show that untreated testosterone deficiency is associated with reduced muscle mass, decreasing bone density, cognitive impairments, and increased cardiovascular morbidity (Bhasin et al., 2017; Zitzmann, 2020). At the same time, optimized testosterone therapy has a proven positive effect on quality of life, libido, body composition, and mood (Saad et. al., 2011).
The problem: In clinical practice, testosterone deficiency often goes undetected or is treated too late, partly because many men do not go to the doctor or their symptoms are not taken seriously (Hintikka et al., 2009). In addition, there is a lack of comprehensive endocrinology care, especially in rural areas. Digital and patient-centered providers like Adon Health can fill this care gap here—not as a replacement, but as a complement to conventional medicine. The key lies in sound education, smart infrastructure, and digitally supported care led by medical professionals.
Literature
- Bhasin S, et al. (2017). Testosterone Therapy in Men with Hypogonadism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 102(5), 1715–1744. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2018-00229
- Hintikka J, et al. (2009). Low testosterone and depressive symptoms. J Affect Disord, 115(1–2), 113–117. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01299.x
- Zitzmann M. (2020). Mechanisms and effects of testosterone therapy: A clinical perspective. Andrology, 8(6), 1527–1535. https://doi.org/10.1111/andr.12867
- Saad F, et. al, European Journal of Endocrinology, 2011: Positive Effects of TRT
