Weight-loss drugs such as semaglutide and tirzepatide not only reduce fat but can also significantly raise testosterone levels and improve men’s health, a study has found. Taking these medications directly affects the quality of life of patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes, the study showed. The authors stressed that doctors can now look at these drugs in a new light. The findings were published on the official portal of The Endocrine Society.
Testosterone is a vital hormone for men: it regulates muscle strength, bone density, red blood cell production and, of course, sex drive. It has long been known that excess weight and diabetes often hit this marker, leading to chronic fatigue and reduced libido. But until now, scientists did not know whether modern pharmacology could address the problem without additional hormone therapy.
The research team analysed data from 110 adult men with obesity or diabetes. All were taking popular weight‑loss drugs, but none used synthetic testosterone in gels or injections. The scientists measured hormone levels before treatment and throughout one-and-a-half years of follow-up.
The results showed that participants lost an average of about 10% of their body weight. At the same time, the proportion of men with normal levels of total and free testosterone rose from 53% to 77%. In other words, the drugs help the body restore hormonal balance on its own simply by reducing excess weight.
According to Dr. Portillo Canales, who presented the study, this is one of the first studies to demonstrate that a diabetes drug can serve as an effective tool for supporting male reproductive health. Experts believe the dual effect will be an important asset in clinical practice.
Earlier, Russian scientists reported that weight-loss drugs from the GLP-1 receptor agonist class could restore fertility in women with obesity and, consequently, increase the risk of unplanned pregnancies.
