Modern men have 20–30 percent less testosterone than their fathers. ER physician Dr. Hisham Valiuddin joins therapist Tim Wienecke to unpack why levels are falling and what responsible care looks like. They reveal what most low-T clinics won’t tell you about TRT, fertility, and whole-body health—separating quick-fix marketing from evidence-based medicine so you can get comprehensive testing and real answers.
Why are men today averaging drastically lower testosterone than their fathers?
Dr. Hisham Valiuddin, MD, is a board-certified emergency-room physician and founder of 40 Health a concierge men’s-health clinic providing stigma-free hormone and metabolic care for men.
Host Tim Wienecke, MA, LPC, LAC—licensed psychotherapist and veteran—shares his own fertility story: how TRT restored his energy at 38 but left him temporarily infertile, and what every man should know before starting hormone therapy.
This isn’t panic fuel; it’s a field guide to competent care, self-advocacy, and protecting yourself from rushed clinics promising quick fixes.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
• Why testosterone levels have declined about 1 % per year since the 1980s
• Environmental factors such as BPA and processed foods that disrupt hormones
• The difference between “normal” lab ranges (≈ 250–900 ng/dL) and healthy ranges
• Red flags of predatory low-T clinics and illegal testosterone sources
• How TRT affects fertility and what safer alternatives exist (Clomid, Enclomiphene)
• The 2024 TRAVERSE Trial that changed FDA policy on testosterone safety
• Why erectile and heart health are deeply connected
CHAPTERS
00:00 Why Modern Men Have Lower Testosterone
03:00 What Low-T Clinics Get Wrong
08:25 The Comprehensive Lab Panel You Actually Need
14:00 TRT: Benefits and Real Risks
24:00 Fertility and Heart Health Considerations
28:50 Lifestyle Factors That Move the Needle
37:00 Alternatives to TRT (Clomid & Enclomiphene)
41:50 What You Can Control in Your 20s and 30s
44:00 Finding the Right Doctor
52:00 Research and Sources Behind This Episode
Research for this episode includes the 2023 TRAVERSE Trial (FDA update), testosterone-decline studies (Travison 2007; Sartorius 2021), fertility data (Liu 2017), and cardiovascular research (AHA 2018).
Full fact-check and citations: americanmasculinity.com
Medical Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any hormone therapy or making health decisions based on this content.
Shop local bookshops with bookshop.orgThe American Masculinity Podcast™ is hosted by Timothy Wienecke — licensed psychotherapist, Air Force veteran, and men’s advocate.
Real conversations about masculinity, mental health, growth, and how men can show up better — as partners, leaders, and friends.
We focus on grounded tools, not yelling or clichés. If you have questions or want a tool for something you're wrestling with, leave a comment or send a message — your feedback shapes what we build next.
Note: While this doesn’t replace therapy, it might help you notice something worth exploring.
