The Diary Of A CEO · 2026-04-27 · Steven Bartlett (host), Rena Malik

Sex Expert: What Women Actually Need To Enjoy Sex

81 research-tied claims examined: 3 contradicted 5 overstated 14 context 49 supported 10 unverified

Contradicted by research

Treating sleep apnea can increase testosterone levels by up to 200 ng/dL.

"When you improve sleep apnea, we've seen improvements in testosterone as high as 200 nanograms per deciliter. So huge jumps in testosterone after fixing sleep apnea." (said at 0:45:12)

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of prospective cohort studies and randomized controlled trials consistently demonstrate that treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) does not produce meaningful or statistically significant increases in total testosterone levels, let alone increases of up to 200 ng/dL. While untreated severe OSA is associated with secondary hypogonadism, therapeutic CPAP intervention has not been shown to significantly elevate serum testosterone or reverse hypogonadal states.

contradicts: Efficacy of continuous positive airway pressure on testosterone in men with obstructive sl… (PloS one 2014) · cited 27x in the literature
"There was no change of total testosterone levels before and after CPAP treatment in OSA men (standardized mean difference (SMD) = -0.14, 95%CI: -0.63 to 0.34, z = 0.59, p = 0.558), even subdivided by CPAP therapeutic duration (>3 months)." (abstract, results, passage verified)
pubmed full study (doi)
contradicts: Effects of CPAP on Testosterone Levels in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Meta-An… (Frontiers in endocrinology 2019) · cited 35x in the literature
"CPAP use was not associated with a significant change in total testosterone levels [mean difference 1.08, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.48 to 2.64] or other outcomes. The subgroup analysis confirmed the overall results. Conclusions: The present review does not support the hypothesis of a direct interaction between OSA and testosterone." (abstract, results, passage verified)
pubmed full study (doi)

1:20:15 Rena Malikcontradictedmoderate

Oral contraceptive use increases sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels in women long-term.

"In women, SHBG goes up when you take oral contraceptives and it stays up for life if you take oral contraceptives." (said at 1:20:15)

The spoken statement contains two claims: (1) oral contraceptives increase sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels during use, and (2) SHBG remains elevated for life after taking oral contraceptives. The first assertion is well supported: oral contraceptives stimulate hepatic production of SHBG, causing significant elevations during active use. However, the assertion that SHBG remains elevated for life is contradicted by published data. While one small retrospective study in women with sexual dysfunction observed that SHBG remained higher than never-users at a mean follow-up of 196 days post-discontinuation (PMID: 16409223), prospective studies show SHBG levels return to baseline within approximately 8 weeks after cessation (PMID: 17118366). Furthermore, large population-based cohort studies in postmenopausal women (e.g., n=1,983) have found no evidence of lifelong elevation of SHBG among past oral contraceptive users; past users actually exhibited slightly lower circulating SHBG concentrations compared to never-users (PMID: 17667152).

context: Impact of oral contraceptives on sex hormone-binding globulin and androgen levels: a retro… (The journal of sexual medicine 2006) · cited 153x in the literature
"Sex hormone-binding globulin values in the "Continued-Users" were four times higher than those in the "Never-User" group (mean 157 +/- 13 nmol/L vs. 41 +/- 4 nmol/L; P < 0.0001). Despite a decrease in SHBG values after discontinuation of OC use, SHBG levels in "Discontinued-Users" remained elevated in comparison with "Never-Users" (N = 26; P < 0.0001 for >120 days)." (abstract, results, passage verified)
pubmed full study (doi)
contradicts: Determining the time androgens and sex hormone-binding globulin take to return to baseline… (Fertility and sterility 2007) · cited 15x in the literature
"In this study, discontinuation of oral contraceptive pills in women with polycystic ovary syndrome was followed by the return of all measured androgens and sex hormone-binding globulin levels to basal values after 8 weeks." (abstract, passage verified)
pubmed full study (doi)
contradicts: Past oral contraceptive and hormone therapy use and endogenous hormone concentrations in p… (Menopause (New York, N.Y.) 2008) · cited 31x in the literature
"Past OC users had significantly lower endogenous estradiol, estrone, androstenedione, testosterone, and sex hormone-binding globulin concentrations compared with never users independent of age, body mass index, smoking, physical activity, and reproductive factors." (abstract, results, passage verified)
pubmed full study (doi)

1:24:25 Rena Malikcontradictedhigh

After approximately 18 months on testosterone replacement therapy, 70% of men become infertile.

"When you're on testosterone replacement after about 18 months, 70% of people on testosterone replacement will be infertile." (said at 1:24:25)

Exogenous testosterone suppresses luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, suppressing spermatogenesis and inducing azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia in the vast majority of men within 3 to 6 months, rather than requiring 18 months to reach 70%. The figures cited appear to conflate suppression timelines with spermatogenic recovery milestones following cessation of testosterone therapy, where integrated analyses show approximately 67% of men recover normal sperm concentrations (≥20 million/mL) within 6 months and over 96% recover by 16 to 24 months.

contradicts: Rate, extent, and modifiers of spermatogenic recovery after hormonal male contraception: a… (Lancet (London, England) 2006) · cited 270x in the literature
"The typical probability of recovery to 20 million per mL was 67% (61-72) within 6 months, 90% (85-93) within 12 months, 96% (92-98) within 16 months, and 100% within 24 months." (abstract, results, passage verified)
pubmed full study (doi)

Unverified means no publication matching the claim was located; it does not prove the claim false. Spotted an error? See the corrections policy - disputes from the people quoted are prioritized.