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Finnish Commercial Web-Based Information on Male Menopause and Male Hormone Therapy

University of Lapland, Finland, Kirsi.Vainionpaa{at}ulapland.fi

The Internet is used by lay people interested in their well-being and health. The objective in this article is to study male menopause by analysing the themes the Internet provides about male menopause and its treatments and to evaluate the quality of commercial web-based information by comparing it to the scientific information. The data were drawn from a selection of Finnish websites that Finnish men would be able to access. Seven different themes emerged in the material: healthism, a quasi-professional attitude, uncertainty, risk, mood-enhancement effects, good sex and similarity to women. The online information did not correspond to current scientific medical information. These seven themes produce a new form of illness — male menopause — and its treatment with male hormone therapy. The themes contribute to the constitution of medicalized bodies by encouraging men to use testosterone medication.

Key Words: bio-power • Internet • male hormone therapy • male menopause • medicalization

Current Sociology, Vol. 57, No. 2, 291-307 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0011392108099167


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