The Malaysian Insider

SINGAPORE, Nov 7 - Men here are losing their sex drive at an earlier age, a study on the testosterone levels of 600 men has shown.

Commissioned by the Society for Men's Health Singapore, the study concluded that one in five Singapore men aged 45 and above is experiencing hypogonadism.

This is the medical term used for when the male sex glands, the testes, produce little or no hormone. It is a condition that usually kicks in when men hit their 60s.

The youngest male in the health screening study with the condition was 30 years old.

The study also showed a link between low testosterone level and diseases like diabetes, heart diseases and erectile dysfunction.

Most of those with hypogonadism had impaired sexual health function, and nearly half had high cholesterol and hypertension. More than a third of them were obese.

Society president Peter Lim, a private sector urologist, said the study dispels the myth that low testosterone levels are caused only by psychological factors.

"We have since linked them to the level of testosterone in the blood," he said.

"The male hormone does not drop like the female hormone at menopause but drops gradually, so it's imperceptible."

A 53-year-old accountant told The Straits Times about how he went to his doctor for Viagra pills to aid him in his sex life last year.

"I started getting worried because I was losing my sex drive and couldn't explain why that was happening to my girlfriends," he said.

When his doctor conducted a blood test, it was discovered that his low sex drive was due to a decrease in the level of testosterone.

He started receiving testosterone injections from the beginning of this year and has received at least three so far. His sex drive is returning to normal, he said, adding: "I don't feel so depressed anymore."

Men can find out if they have the condition by answering a set of questions that are grouped into psychological, physical and sexual symptoms, available at specialist clinics or with some general practitioners.

These symptoms include decrease in the number of morning erections, feeling burnt out, being depressive and being physically exhausted.

If they answer "yes" to at least one symptom from each category, their doctors would recommend that they go for a blood test to check their testosterone level.

The results of the survey were released ahead of the Third Japan-Asean Men's Health & Ageing Conference which will be held at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel from Dec 1-3.

Testosterone therapy includes body patches, capsules, gel and injections but comes with a hefty price tag.

For instance, a testosterone injection costs between S$80 and S$100 and a three-month supply of tablets costs about S$700.

The society is working with GPs to educate them on the symptoms of the condition and to detect them early. - The Straits Times