Entrepreneur turns his own health journey into a men's hormonal health startup

When Saad Alam turned 35, he began experiencing a series of symptoms ranging from fatigue to low libido, which led him to see a doctor. But like so many Americans, he was told there was nothing wrong with him, maybe anxiety that he could treat with medication.

Still, Alam wasn't convinced it was just anxiety. Being an avowed health junkie, he decided to explore other avenues, asking a whole range of medical professionals to consult him. After countless tests, he found his answer: his hormones were dead. Specifically, he was experiencing these symptoms due to low testosterone. "The doctor told me I had the testosterone level of an 80-year-old man."

This was the beginning of his last entrepreneurial adventure, which led him to create Hone Health.

And at 35, it seemed a bit odd to her to have a hormonal imbalance. So he researched the problem further and discovered that it was not uncommon at all. "So many men I found later in my age group were experiencing this as well, and some would just write it off as being tired. It's estimated that 40% of men over 35 begin to notice a low testosterone."

What causes testosterone levels to drop in otherwise healthy men? There is a natural reduction after 30 years. But there are other contributing factors that may have more to do with modern life: poor diet, lack of sleep, heavy alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, and exposure to chemicals and pollution - all of these factors, he says, can lead to hormonal balance.

Alam, who no longer drinks alcohol, exercises regularly and eats a healthy diet, could not figure out what was causing his case. “I am in very good health. On the contrary, I'm a bit obsessed with my health,” he says. Thus, he attributes his imbalance to the environment; Alam lives in New York, where pollution and exposure to chemicals are possible on a daily basis.

In the weeks following hormone therapy, Alam says he saw a change in his energy levels, health, and libido. This very personal experience led him to consider starting a business to help other men test their hormone levels. But for six months he sat on the idea, aware of the difficulty of creating a health-related company that would regularly test patients and supply drugs. "I have to be honest, I was scared."

He also clarifies that for most men who follow a balanced and healthy lifestyle, they are likely to be fine. "Only when conservative measures don't work should you turn to treatment."

For cases like his, where he could not pinpoint the cause, he points to a wealth of data and studies that suggest a link between phthalates, commonly found in plastics and chemicals. personal care, and hormonal disturbances. Some of the data goes back 10 to 15 years, arguing that this is not a new phenomenon. For example, a study conducted in the UK in 2009 found that chemicals in the water supply could contribute to male infertility; chemicals are entering the water system from agriculture (pesticides) and the pharmaceutical industry (drug disposal), according to the study. These studies also support that low testosterone, or hypogonadism, can affect a man's overall health, contributing to greater health issues and comorbidities.

The challenge is that getting tested can be a lengthy process, especially if a primary care physician doesn't link a man's symptoms to a possible hormonal imbalance.

So, alongside its four co-founders, Seth Franz, Stuart Blitz, Alba Metira and Zach Cane, Alam decided to jump in and launch Hone Health before the pandemic hit. After lifting two wheels...