Testosterone deficiency can manifest through symptoms such as lack of motivation, fatigue, reduced libido, or concentration problems - and yet often remains undetected or untreated. In these cases, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can offer significant added value for quality of life. However, access to this treatment is restricted in many places: Rural areas, in particular, lack specialized doctors who offer appropriate diagnostics and therapies. Our current analysis of our patients' postal codes shows how relevant digital health services can be in exactly these regions.
What our analysis shows
For our evaluation, we examined anonymized customer data, with consent to the evaluation, using the BSSR classification of the Federal Institute for Building, Urban and Regional Research. The results are clear: While according to federal data only about 9% of the population lives in sparsely populated regions (<150 inhabitants per km²), 43.96% of our patients come from exactly these areas. In regions with medium density (150–500 inhabitants per km²), the share in the total population is around 24%, while at Adon it is 40.66%. Conversely, about 67% of people in Germany live in densely populated areas (>500 inhabitants per km²), while only 15.38% of our patients reside there.
This clear discrepancy shows: Adon Health reaches a disproportionately high number of men in structurally weak regions – exactly where access to urological and endocrinological care is particularly restricted. This not only underscores the need for digital solutions, but also the potential of Adon to create real social added value.
The problem: Men's health requires specialized knowledge - which is not available everywhere
Many men report declining energy, lack of motivation, or mental exhaustion – but very few immediately think of a possible testosterone deficiency. In these cases, targeted diagnosis and therapy can often be decisively helpful. An individually tailored testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) offers an evidence-based medical approach in these cases to significantly improve quality of life and long-term health. However, such a therapy requires a medical assessment and continuous support - and this is exactly where a major challenge lies.
Especially in rural regions, there is often a lack of doctors who have the necessary experience and specialization in the field of men's health. Access to sound diagnostics, personal advice, and structured follow-up checks is restricted there. In addition, long travel distances, lack of appointment availability, and an overall lower density of doctors further complicate the care situation. Studies, for example by the Scientific Institute of the PKV (2023), show: In structurally weak regions, medical undersupply is an increasing problem - especially with specialist services that require continuous medical supervision.
Digital healthcare as a possible solution
Digital services and telemedicine can build crucial bridges here. Adon Health already offers initial low-threshold solutions that are in high demand, especially in rural regions:
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Digital medical consultations with continuous support: Patients can communicate with licensed doctors via a secure online platform and receive continuous support throughout the entire treatment period
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At-home test kits: Medically validated diagnostic tests, such as our testosterone test kit, can be performed discreetly and conveniently at home. Further steps such as follow-up checks or follow-up tests are also possible regardless of location and are carried out via the same secure digital channels as the initial diagnostics
These services enable flexible and location-independent access to medical care - an important complement to traditional in-person medicine, especially in structurally weak regions.
A first step
Of course, a single service cannot solve the structural problems of medical undersupply. But the data suggests: Digital services are used where the need is highest – especially in rural areas. They are an important first step. For such solutions to be effective in the long term, more low-threshold, high-quality, and digitally supported care services are needed. The future of medical care – especially in rural areas – will not be decided in the local practice alone, but will increasingly be shaped digitally. We are pleased to already make a concrete contribution with Adon's digital TRT service – and to help many men achieve more energy, quality of life, and health stability. More about this in our post: Testosterone therapy: Everything you need to know
Conclusion
Our postal code analysis makes it clear: The demand for flexible, location-independent health services is high - especially beyond urban centers. Digital solutions are not a replacement, but an indispensable part of a modern, equitable, and future-proof medical infrastructure.
Bibliography
Federal Institute for Building, Urban and Regional Research. (2022). Settlement-structural district types – Population and area by district and municipality type. https://www.bbsr.bund.de/BBSR/DE/forschung/raumbeobachtung/Raumabgrenzungen/deutschland/kreise/siedlungsstrukturelle-kreistypen/kreistypen.html
Federal Institute for Building, Urban and Regional Research. (2020). Typifications of rural areas for policy and science in Germany. https://www.ssoar.info/ssoar/bitstream/document/97878/1/97878_1.pdf
Federal Institute for Building, Urban and Regional Research. (2023). Regional types in Germany. https://www.bbsr.bund.de
Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community. (2023). Germany Atlas: Accessibility of general practitioners by car. https://www.deutschlandatlas.bund.de
Ärztestellen. (2023). Germany-wide comparison: Where are there the most doctors?. https://aerztestellen.aerzteblatt.de
WIP - Scientific Institute of the PKV. (2023). Regional distribution of doctors in Germany. https://www.wip-pkv.de
