New Survey Reveals Treating Low T Supports Better Parenting

After 15 years as a urologist and men’s sexual health specialist, I’ve seen firsthand how testosterone impacts men’s lives physically, mentally and emotionally. It shapes how we show up as partners, as fathers, and as people trying to balance the demands of modern life.

To explore this topic in more depth, we commissioned a survey of 1,000 U.S. dads over 30 exploring how hormone health affects their energy, motivation, and emotional presence. And importantly, how proper treatment can help. To get a comprehensive snapshot, poll takers were equally split between those who have been diagnosed with low testosterone and those who haven't.¹

The findings confirm what I see every day as a physician: many men want to show up as the best version of themselves, but too often, they’re running on empty, and many don’t know why. 

Across the board, dads reported feeling depleted. The survey found:

• 54% regularly experience stress
• 49% report fatigue on a regular basis
• 42% struggle with low motivation
• 36% experience depression
• 31% feel burned out

At first glance, these seem like the predictable side effects of parenting, with long days, short nights, and endless to-do lists. But for countless men, the real cause may be tied to low testosterone, which affects an estimated 20 million men in the US.^{2 3}

While most men understand that testosterone affects libido and muscle mass, far fewer recognize its roles in maintaining energy, mood, and motivation, the very qualities that make it possible to connect deeply with their kids and partners. In fact, only 10% of dads connected testosterone deficiency to stress and a mere 8% linked it to low motivation. Those gaps in understanding and awareness can have significant consequences.

Testosterone isn’t just about physical performance. It’s a key regulator of the energy, mental sharpness, and emotional stability that are key drivers of the resilience needed to be a great dad and partner. 

But the good news is that among those men with low testosterone who sought treatment, the transformation was striking:

• 74% said having healthy hormone levels made them more patient and engaged with their kids and partners
• 65% reported more energy
• 54% said they felt more focused or confident
• 49% said their mental wellbeing improved

When men with low T get treated, they don’t just feel better, they show up better. They have more energy to play with their kids and more focus to be present in their relationships.

These insights take on even greater significance when viewed through the lens of how men define healthy masculinity today. When asked what “healthy masculinity” means to them, dads overwhelmingly prioritized:

• Being a good father (64%)
• Being a good partner (59%)
• Maintaining good mental health (56%)
• Emotional maturity (53%)

Traditional markers like physical toughness (37%) and having a “macho” personality (13%) ranked far lower. This shift shows that fathers today prioritize being present for their families. Identifying and treating testosterone deficiency can help them do this with patience, presence, and emotional balance. That’s where Hims comes in.

For years, care for testosterone deficiency has been fragmented, costly, and out of reach for many affected men. At Hims, we’re committed to redefining that experience. Through the Hims platform, customers complete an online medical intake and a simple at-home blood test, receive results in days instead of months, and work with a provider to determine whether treatment is appropriate. Based on their results, providers can prescribe tailored doses of compounded enclomiphene⁴, an evidence-based medication that stimulates the body’s natural testosterone production without suppressing hormone function or fertility. For men with sexual symptoms, providers can also prescribe customized doses of compounded enclomiphene combined with tadalafil in a single dual-action treatment.

As we prepare to introduce oral and injectable testosterone options next year, we’re integrating a comprehensive suite of testosterone-related therapies into our digital platform. These additions will give men more ways to collaborate with licensed medical providers and pursue personalized treatment plans that fit their needs, with 24/7 access to a dedicated care team for guidance and support.

The message of this survey is clear: Many dads in America are struggling to show up as their best selves for their kids and partners, and most don’t understand that testosterone deficiency might be what is holding them back. 

For any dad reading this who recognizes himself in these findings, know this: seeking help is a sign of strength. Talk to a provider. Get tested. Learn what your body is telling you. 

Because when dads feel better — physically, emotionally, hormonally — their families feel the difference too.