Gymbros and erectile dysfunction: the hidden price of getting jacked

Gymbros and erectile dysfunction: the hidden price of getting jacked

Rodri Salas, a popular fitness influencer, appears in his videos with a flushed face and a physique that borders on the superhuman. Behind the bulk and the bulging veins, a quiet debate is running through the fitness world: the hormonal cost of chasing the perfect body. Exogenous testosterone and other anabolic steroids, consumed on a massive scale by aspiring 'gymbros', have a rarely discussed side effect: erectile dysfunction.

The chemical cocktail and its consequences

Those who inject anabolic steroids to build muscle mass disrupt their hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. The body stops producing endogenous testosterone and, once the cycle ends, levels plummet. To recover function, users turn to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a drug that mimics luteinizing hormone and has become the companion of every post-cycle therapy. But it does not always work: impotence can become chronic if suppression is prolonged.

The myth of the sensual active bodybuilder

Against the popular imagery that equates muscle with virility, clinical reality points in the opposite direction. Extremely low body fat, typical of competitive bodybuilders, reduces aromatase and disrupts hormonal balance. Even in natural bodybuilding, severe caloric deficits and oxidative stress affect libido. The 'gymbro' who brags about sensual exploits on social media may be hiding a health problem that affects his intimate life.

The paradox is served: while some chase a body that defies human limits, others point out that the real challenge is keeping erectile function intact. The startling figure: hospitals are reporting an increase in erectile dysfunction consultations among men aged 20 to 35 who are highly dedicated to the gym.