Aug 12, 2026 · 27 min
Testosterone clinics turn perceived benefits into a booming market
Testosterone is all the rage
Testosterone can deliver powerful short-term changes, but limited evidence, serious side effects, fertility risks, and commercial pressure complicate its growing use.
- 1Women report benefits from testosterone despite limited evidence and no FDA-approved treatment for this use.
- 2High-dose treatment can cause visible side effects while suppressing natural hormone production and fertility, especially in men.
- 3Influencers and specialized clinics are expanding demand among people without diagnosed deficiencies, creating incentives for ongoing treatment.
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A woman who loses much of her hair still considers testosterone worthwhile because it gave her energy and motivation.
The brief
Testosterone use is spreading among women and men on promises of more energy, libido, muscle, and confidence. The episode asks whether those benefits justify uncertain evidence and potentially lasting costs.
Susan Dominus explains why women’s testosterone remains unapproved by the FDA, while users describe striking benefits alongside acne, hair loss, facial hair, irritability, and rage.
One woman loses much of her hair but still considers testosterone worthwhile because it restored her energy and motivation—a stark measure of how benefits can outweigh side effects.
Rebecca Johnson traces testosterone’s rise among young men, where influencers and clinics market treatment for muscle, sex appeal, and performance, often without a diagnosed deficiency.
The central tension is commercial as well as medical: testosterone may help people with genuine deficiencies, yet ongoing use and aggressive marketing can make the boom self-perpetuating.
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