GLP-1 weight-loss drugs may raise testosterone in men, study finds

CHICAGO — Research presented at the ENDO 2026 annual meeting of the Endocrine Society in Chicago suggests that GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class of drugs widely used for weight loss, may increase testosterone levels and improve sperm quality in men. The review analyzed data from men aged 18 to 65, examining testosterone, hormones linked to sperm production, sperm quality, weight, body mass index, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Obesity can disrupt the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, the system that regulates reproductive hormone production, and the researchers set out to assess whether weight loss driven by GLP-1 therapy could reverse that effect. The findings, reported by Fox News, indicate that GLP-1 drugs do not suppress male hormones and that men with obesity-related low testosterone may see improvements in hormone levels and sperm quality as they lose weight. A four-week dulaglutide trial produced no significant changes in hormones or sexual function, while a 16-week liraglutide study improved hormone levels in men with obesity-related low testosterone and outperformed hormone replacement therapy on some health indicators. A 24-week semaglutide study recorded improved sperm morphology and lower LDL cholesterol, with total testosterone levels preserved. The researchers cautioned that the evidence base remains limited and that larger studies are needed to confirm the link.