Testosterone and the ageing man

MANY men go through a period in their lives when they will experience a loss in vitality, physical fatigue and a drop in libido. The cause may often be a simple case of work-related burn-out or sleep deprivation. Some will attribute it to their inevitable ingress into middle-age slump. But if the symptoms persist, underlying testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS) should be considered.

Ninety-five per cent of circulating testosterone hormone in men is produced in the testes. It does more than fuel sex drive. It is vital for the optimal development and maintenance of men's sexual characteristics and function. When testosterone levels drop too low, it becomes a health condition. Usual complaints include fatigue, loss of libido, erectile dysfunction, loss of muscle mass, central obesity, irritability and decreased cognitive function.

The condition is more common than once believed. A primary care clinic-based health screening conducted on 1,000 Singaporean men showed that 26 per cent of them had some degree of TDS based on Ageing Male Symptoms scoring. More commonly known by its shorthand andropause or male menopause, TDS describes the drop in testosterone that many men experience as they get older.