28/11/2025
🧠 Why Testosterone Matters in Men’s Mental Health 🧠
Many people think hormones are “just about sex,” but in reality, testosterone profoundly affects the male brain—and how men think, feel, and cope.
Here’s what you need to know:
1️⃣ Impulsivity & Reward Sensitivity
Testosterone amplifies the brain’s reward circuits, making men more sensitive to stimulation, novelty, and immediate rewards. That’s why behaviors like gaming, p**n, thrill-seeking, or even risk-taking can feel almost automatic.
2️⃣ Emotional Regulation & Frontal Control
The prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain that plans, inhibits impulses, and weighs consequences—can be influenced by testosterone, especially under stress. This may make it harder to pause, think, or manage emotions, particularly for men with ADHD or high stress.
3️⃣ Dominance, Status, and Motivation
Testosterone also drives status-seeking and competitiveness, which can be positive but sometimes lead to conflict, risk, or avoidance when goals feel overwhelming.
💡 Why this matters in therapy:
Men often struggle with shame or frustration when their brain drives impulsivity or avoidance.
Recognising the biological underpinnings of behavior helps therapists avoid blaming or pathologising men for partially hormone-driven behaviors.
With this awareness, therapy can focus on skill-building, self-regulation, and healthier coping strategies, rather than only telling men to “try harder” or “just control themselves.”
In short: Understanding testosterone isn’t about excuses, it’s about insight, empathy, and effective therapy.
