An analysis based on the men's health study (n = 502) by Adon Health and Appinio . The survey was conducted between April 15th and 18th by the market research company Appinio .
The silent health crisis of men
For decades, health was considered something men were expected to deal with on the side: don't complain, just function, carry on. Prevention? Showing weakness? Only in emergencies. But this attitude comes at a price. Not only in terms of health, but also socially and economically. While men still have a significantly shorter life expectancy than women ( Destatis, 2025 ), they are less likely to take advantage of preventative care services, are reluctant to talk about health problems, and often feel they are not taken seriously when it comes to symptoms that are "invisible": fatigue, loss of libido, mood swings.
Against this backdrop, Adon Health, together with its market research partner Appinio , conducted a representative survey of 502 men in Germany. The aim was to find out: How important is their health to men? What do they know about their hormonal system, especially testosterone? And are they willing to invest in their own health – both financially and mentally?
Men's health: Desire and reality are far apart.
The results initially paint a surprisingly clear picture: health is highly important to men. Nearly 90% of respondents stated that their health is "important" or even "very important" to them in everyday life. However, as soon as it comes to concrete actions, it becomes clear that there is often a significant gap between awareness and behavior. Only 38% regularly attend preventative medical checkups. At the same time, almost 40% of men rated their health as satisfactory, poor, or very poor.
The way men approach nutrition and exercise also leaves much to be desired. While over 70% of those surveyed exercise at least occasionally, only a small proportion do so regularly and with structure. Consequently, their self-assessment of their energy levels is mediocre: almost half describe their energy level as average or worse, and only around 11 percent perceive their energy level as high. The crucial question, therefore, is not whether men want to be healthy, but rather: 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 actually looked into it. Even more striking: only 9 percent have ever had their hormone levels or testosterone levels tested.
There is certainly an awareness of potential symptoms. Fatigue, loss of libido, muscle weakness, and depressive moods have been cited by many as possible consequences of a deficiency. Nevertheless, around 60 percent consider their own testosterone level to be "probably within the normal range" without ever having had an objective measurement. The reasons why testing has not yet been carried out are multifaceted: Lack of information, cost, lack of medical recommendation, and uncertainty about how and where such a test can even be meaningfully performed are cited.
Men are willing to invest in their health
A particularly interesting finding for the healthcare industry: men are quite willing to spend money on their health. Over 78 percent stated that they regularly make expenditures in the area of health and personal care. The most frequent investments are in dietary supplements, gym memberships, physiotherapy, and skin and hair care products. For the majority, monthly healthcare expenditures range between 51 and 100 euros, a clear indication of an increased willingness to pay.
This willingness increases further when it comes to personalized, medically recommended measures: Only 2.4% of the men surveyed would categorically reject testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) if diagnosed with a deficiency. Nearly two-thirds can envision hormone therapy supported by telemedicine, with digital monitoring, video consultations with a doctor, and regular lab tests. This shows that 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 address hormonal health is there, especially when it comes to energy, mental clarity, and athletic performance. However, trust remains a limiting factor: only about 44 percent of those surveyed trust information on social media regarding testosterone. While many men use Instagram (58%), YouTube (80%), or TikTok (52%) to find information on health topics, skepticism towards unqualified sources is high. What's needed is content that is medically sound, easy to understand, and practical, ideally supplemented by medical guidance.
This is precisely where Adon Health comes in: With an integrated care model comprising modern laboratory diagnostics, telemedicine, and a digital therapy platform, we are creating a new reality for men's health. Accessible, data-driven, and tailored to the individual goals of our patients. Whether it's fatigue, lack of motivation, loss of libido, or a plateau in athletic performance – many of these symptoms can be linked to a hormonal imbalance. Adon Health makes this imbalance measurable and treatable.
Context from research: 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, decreased bone density, cognitive impairment, and increased cardiovascular morbidity (Bhasin et al., 2017; Zitzmann, 2020). At the same time, optimized testosterone therapy has been shown to have a 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 don't see a doctor or their symptoms aren't taken seriously (Hintikka et al., 2009). Furthermore, there is a lack of comprehensive endocrinological care, particularly in rural areas. Digital and patient-centered providers like Adon Health can fill this gap in care, not as a replacement for, but as a complement to, traditional medicine. The key lies in sound education, smart infrastructure, and physician-led digital support.
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
