Studies have linked both physical and psychological stress to a drop in the level of testosterone, the hormone that gives men their masculine qualities such as facial hair growth, musculature, and deep voice. Testosterone is a hormone with a complex relationship to behavior: Testosterone levels can influence behavior, and behavior can influence testosterone levels.

In ancient times, when some men were castrated (such as the eunuchs that served royalty in many different countries throughout history, or the Italian castrati with their beautiful, high voices), they would tend to be more docile, have a reduced sex drive, and develop more body fat.

Testosterone has been linked to dominant behavior in men. It is in part responsible for the male perspective and the feeling that control, rationality, and dominance are desirable traits in men. Countless studies that assert the differences between the genders in communication style, learning style, and even basic understanding of language are exploring the relationship between people who are driven more by testosterone and those driven more by estrogen.

Studies have shown that women tend to be attracted to men with more masculine features and more dominant behavior — not aggressive behavior, necessarily, but dominant behavior. While cultural factors certainly modify biological impulses and while there are many exceptions, masculine features and dominant behavior are biological signals of reproductive fitness.

Traditionally, in our culture, men went out to earn a living and support their families, fulfilling this urge to dominate. The estrogen- and oxytocin-driven females stayed at home, accomplishing the nurturing of children and caretaking of the home. But life today seems much more complex than it once was (although surely we oversimplify the past).

As our society's needs evolve, its members don't like to be restricted to a certain role. Many women get enormous satisfaction from earning a living outside the home and supporting their families. Many men get immense satisfaction from staying home to raise their children, and they do an excellent job at being a caretaker. These so-called reverse roles aren't really reversed at all. Maintaining a household and raising children can fulfill a man's need to accomplish something important.

A stay-at-home dad can be a dominant figure in a very positive way for his children. Household maintenance can be a matter of competition and pride.

Women, too, tend to excel in the working world by being communicative, empathetic, and nurturing. In other words, both men and women can do any kind of job, but they will tend to go about it in different ways. You may not run the house or care for the children in the same way as your partner, but that doesn't mean your way isn't just as good.

The point is that a man does not necessarily become frustrated or stressed just because he isn't doing the traditional “man” things. But, in fact, stress sets in when a man isn't allowed to be who he needs to be. The propensity toward dominance can result in feelings of stress when dominant individuals are placed in subordinate positions.

If men are forced to act subordinate when it isn't in their nature — even if that means having to be subordinate to a controlling CEO — the result can be lots of stress. If left unchecked, that stress can turn into aggression or other forms of antisocial behavior. If men aren't able to fulfill their need to control their own situation, go out there and compete, and feel like they are making an important contribution, they may feel frustrated and unfulfilled.

What happens when stress depresses a man's testosterone level? A lowered level of testosterone could result in a drop in self-confidence and feelings of control, which can exacerbate an already stressful situation. This can be frustrating and can provoke anxiety in men who are used to feeling dominant. To maintain your health and confidence, it is crucial that you manage your stress. If you keep your testosterone level in balance, you'll feel better, and you'll be more confident and more in control of your feelings and actions. The best way to do this is to keep stress in check.