New findings presented at the ENDO 2025 medical conference on July 16 reveal a striking advancement in men’s health: GLP-1 drugs, best known for their role in weight loss and diabetes control, also appear to significantly boost testosterone levels in obese men. The study’s results confirm a dual benefit—metabolic and hormonal—positioning these medications as key players in a broader, hormone-centric model of wellness care.
GLP-1 medications, including semaglutide and tirzepatide, have already revolutionized obesity treatment by helping patients lose 10% or more of their body weight. But the ENDO study adds a new layer of impact. In a cohort of 110 overweight or diabetic men, researchers observed that the percentage of participants with normal testosterone levels rose from 53% to 77% over 18 months of GLP-1 therapy—without the aid of testosterone replacement therapy.
The hormonal improvement tracks closely with fat loss, suggesting that as visceral fat decreases and insulin sensitivity improves, the body’s own testosterone production rebounds naturally. Experts believe this could reduce the need for traditional testosterone replacement therapy, which can suppress natural production and lead to complications like infertility or cardiovascular strain.
According to study leader Dr. Shellsea Portillo Canales, the findings may redefine how clinicians approach low testosterone in men with obesity. “We’re seeing evidence that weight loss driven by GLP-1s reduces inflammation, improves hormonal balance, and enhances insulin function—all of which contribute to testosterone normalization,” she said during a press briefing.
The discovery is timely. Interest in male hormone health has surged, with men increasingly seeking ways to optimize energy, strength, mental focus, and sexual health without relying solely on hormone prescriptions. The potential of GLP-1s to restore testosterone naturally could shift standard care protocols—especially for men dealing with hypogonadism linked to obesity or metabolic syndrome.
This is also sparking a broader integration of metabolic and hormonal monitoring in wellness clinics. Continuous glucose monitors, fitness wearables, and apps tracking testosterone trends are seeing increased adoption as men adopt a data-driven approach to health. With GLP-1s emerging as multi-dimensional tools, providers may now tailor treatment plans that improve body composition, metabolic resilience, and endocrine health simultaneously.
While the study did not assess libido, sperm count, or mood-related outcomes directly, related ENDO research suggests GLP-1 therapies may support reproductive hormone profiles overall. Larger trials are expected to explore these links further.
As the medical community deepens its understanding of GLP-1 drugs beyond weight loss, this new evidence offers a hopeful horizon for men’s health. It affirms that tackling obesity isn’t just about shedding pounds—it’s about rebalancing the body’s hormonal ecosystem in safer, more natural ways.
