Risks and limits of Stress Männer

The risks and limits of 'Stress Männer' tests (e.g., cortisol or DNA-based stress analyses) lie mainly in overestimating their predictive power. Many rely on weak or mechanistic evidence, not on clinical trials in men. A single cortisol reading is time-dependent and says little about chronic stress. DNA variants (e.g., in the COMT gene) have small effect sizes and are overshadowed by lifestyle, sleep, and nutrition. Moreover, reference ranges for men are often lacking. The danger is misinterpretation, unnecessary worry, or misguided self-optimization. A sound approach combines biomarkers with validated questionnaires and medical guidance. Without clinical context, such tests remain marketing products.