Study finds out why half of dads are so burned out

Everyday tasks are leaving dads feeling "absolutely exhausted" — and according to a new poll, the culprit for many could be low testosterone.

The survey of 1,000 U.S. dads over the age of 30 revealed many report feeling depleted by everyday activities like household tasks (54%), exercise (50%), their day job (50%) and simply by being a parent (36%).

Men said they experience stress (54%) or fatigue (49%) on a regular basis, while others cite low motivation (42%), depression (36%), and burnout (31%).

Many fathers assume their exhaustion or irritability comes from long workdays or lack of sleep, but for 92%, they recognize a direct connection between what they experience and their hormone health.

Commissioned by Hims, Inc. and conducted by Talker Research, the study found most fathers already know low testosterone can cause fatigue (88%) or low sex drive (96%), yet emotional and behavioral symptoms that affect family life most, like reduced patience (12%), stress (10%), and low motivation (8%) were the symptoms men were most unaware of.

Poll takers were equally split between those who have been diagnosed with low testosterone and those who haven't.

As a result, it found that dads diagnosed with low testosterone were far more likely to struggle with daily fatigue (65% vs. 33%), low motivation (58% vs. 26%) and depression (50% vs. 22%) than dads undiagnosed.

“We need to close the knowledge gap about low testosterone and the symptoms men experience,” said Dr. Pete Stahl, Head of Men’s Health at Hims. “Testosterone doesn’t just affect muscle or libido. It plays a huge role in motivation, focus, patience, and overall mood. Those are the things that drastically impact how present and engaged men can be with loved ones.”

The data showed among those who haven’t been diagnosed with low testosterone, 64% have already sensed something’s off, questioning what could be the cause of their experiences.

Sixty-nine percent of men currently undiagnosed suspect they have Low T. For many, that uncertainty comes with a heavy emotional toll — feelings of stress (38%), depression (37%), and embarrassment (31%) often accompany the worry of a possible diagnosis.

Those feelings are justifiable, too. Among those diagnosed with low testosterone, 64% said their symptoms were dismissed by others, often being told to “get over it” (55%) or that they were “just being weak” (41%).

The data found that treatment for low testosterone can have a meaningful impact. Nearly half (47%) dads diagnosed with low testosterone have undergone treatment for the condition.

The turnaround was clear for them: 65% reported more energy, 54% felt more focused or confident and 49% said their mental wellbeing improved.

Three in four (74%) said healthy hormone levels made them more patient and engaged with their kids and partners.

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%) and a good partner (59%) above all else, followed by maintaining good mental health (56%) and emotional maturity (53%).

Traditional markers of masculinity like physical toughness (37%) or having a “macho” personality (13%) ranked far lower.

This shift underscores that today’s fathers value showing up for their families and partners above most everything else, and that hormone health may play a crucial role in helping them do so with patience, presence and emotional balance.

“Men shouldn’t have to struggle in silence or navigate stigma alone,” said Dr. Stahl. “At Hims, we provide men with access to comprehensive, holistic treatment plans that make it simple for men to take control of their hormone health — from evaluation to education, support, and medication — all online and on their own terms. When men feel their best, they show up their best, and their families feel the difference.”

Research methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 1,000 American dads aged 30+ (500 who have been diagnosed with low testosterone and 500 who have not been diagnosed with low testosterone) who have access to the internet; the survey was commissioned by Hims and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Oct. 27 and Nov. 7, 2025. A link to the questionnaire can be found here.

To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research Process and Methodology page.