The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Why young men are killing their sperm

The most ironic side effect of looksmaxxing.

Clavicular says he’s been taking testosterone since he was 14 years old.

For the infamous looksmaxxing influencer, the hormone supplement is part of a regimen designed to give him the hollow cheeks, square jaw, and muscular build now coveted by legions of extremely online young men. Testosterone has helped him hone his appearance to the point at which — according to him at least — he can not only attract countless women, but also brutally shame other men with the power of his masculine beauty alone. It has also, he believes, made him infertile.

Lowered sperm count, shrunken testicles, and impaired fertility are known side effects of some kinds of testosterone supplementation. Doctors can help people manage or avoid these effects with the right dosage, but the rise of direct-to-consumer medicine — and gray and black market sources — mean more men are taking testosterone without close medical monitoring.

Culture reflects society. Get our best explainers on everything from money to entertainment to what everyone is talking about online.

Some are likely unaware of the potential risks associated with the hormone. “I think a lot of men think that taking testosterone should not compromise their fertility and would probably actually improve it,” said Justin Dubin, director of men’s sexual health at Baptist Health South Florida and co-host of the Man Up podcast.

For others, however, fertility may be beside the point. Clavicular and other manosphere influencers are selling a version of masculinity that’s fundamentally divorced from procreation and even from having sex with women — it’s all about competition among men. And to “win” at this new form of masculinity, some men are willing to sacrifice not only their money, their mental health, and their relationships, but also their sperm.

What testosterone does in the body

All human bodies naturally produce at least some testosterone. The hormone helps drive male puberty, and in adult men, it plays a role in energy, as well as bone and muscle health, said Ugis Gruntmanis, a........

© Vox