A GLOBAL PANDEMIC IN MEN A MAJOR CHALLENGE
1 in 4 Men Over 30 Has Low Testosterone Problem
(ABC News)
• THURSDAY, Sept. 13 (HealthDay News) -- New research
suggests that one out of four men over 30 have low testosterone levels, but only one out of every 20 men have clinical symptoms linked to such a deficiency.
• As men age, they are more likely to experience symptoms such as lack of sex drive and erectile dysfunction as a result of low levels of testosterone, the researchers explain.
Low testosterone is defined as 300ng/dL (nanograms per deciliter) of total testosterone and less than 5 ng/dL of free testosterone. Free testosterone is the amount of hormone not bound to other proteins.
• Low testosterone can indicate androgen deficiency if it is accompanied by low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, osteoporosis or fracture, and two or more of the following: sleep disturbance, depressed mood, lethargy or diminished physical performance.
New England Research Institute scientists analyzed data from almost 1,500 men enrolled in the Boston Area Community Health Survey. The survey tracks people aged 30 to 79 years and compiles data on factors such as testosterone, symptoms of hormone deficiency, and medications that may impact sex hormone levels.
• Approximately 24 percent of the men surveyed had low total testosterone and 11 percent had low levels of free testosterone.
Many of the men had no symptoms related to their low testosterone.
About 5.6 percent of the men in this study suffered from symptomatic androgen deficiency. Older men were especially prone: over 18 percent of men over age 70 met the criteria for this deficiency.
• Based on these results, the researchers predict that by 2025 there may be as many as 6.5 million
American men between 30 and 79 years of age with symptomatic androgen deficiency, an
increase of 38 percent from the year 2000 population estimates.
Men with low testosterone (hypogonadism) may experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms due to the hormone imbalance.
Common symptoms of low testosterone in men include:
• Low sex drive: A decreased interest in sexual activity is a common symptom of low testosterone.
• Erectile dysfunction: Men with low testosterone may have difficulty achieving or maintaining erections.
• Fatigue and low energy: Reduced testosterone levels can lead to a lack of energy and persistent fatigue.
• Decreased muscle mass: Testosterone plays a role in muscle development, and low levels may result in reduced muscle mass.
Increased body fat: Low testosterone can lead to an increase in body fat, particularly around the abdomen.
• Mood changes: Some men with low testosterone may experience mood swings, irritability, and even depression.
• Decreased bone density: Testosterone is essential for maintaining bone health, so low levels may lead to reduced bone density and an increased risk of fractures.
• Changes in hair growth: Men with low testosterone might experience loss of body and facial hair.
The Growing Problem of an Enlarged Prostate Gland
The most common prostate problem among men over age 50,this condition can cause embarrassing urination issues.
(Harvard Health Publishing)
• By age 60, half of all men will have an enlarged prostate, a condition also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. By age 85, the proportion reaches 90%. While BPH does not increase your risk of getting prostate cancer or having sexual problems, it can affect quality of life, specifically by causing annoying and embarrassing urination problems.
Men often dread even the idea of having a prostate check. But because enlarged prostate, or benign
prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a common condition that affects men as they age, it's important to
know the facts.
• About 50% of men between the ages of 51 and 60 have BPH, and that number jumps to 70% among men aged 60 to 69 and around 80% of men over 70 years of age. While some men who have BPH do not experience any bothersome symptoms, for many it causes problems with urination including increased urinary frequency, urgency, and an inability to completely empty the bladder.
Source: “1 in 4 Men Over 30 Has Low Testosterone.” ABC News,
abcnews.go.com/Health/Healthday/story?id=4508669&page=1. Accessed 19
• Source: “Enlarged Prostate (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia).” Yale Medicine, 11 Aug.
2022, www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/enlarged-prostate-benign-prostatic-hyperplasia-
bph#:~:text=About%2050%25%20of%20men%20between,over%2070%20years%
• Source: “The Growing Problem of an Enlarged Prostate Gland.” Harvard Health, 3 Feb.
2021, www.health.harvard.edu/mens-health/the-growing-problem-of-an-enlarged-
prostate-
gland#:~:text=By%20age%2060%2C%20half%20of,%2C%20the%20proportion%20rea
ches%2090%25.
A GLOBAL PANDEMIC IN MEN A MAJOR CHALLENGE
1 in 4 Men Over 30 Has Low Testosterone Problem
(ABC News)
• THURSDAY, Sept. 13 (HealthDay News) -- New research
suggests that one out of four men over 30 have low testosterone levels, but only one out of every 20 men have clinical symptoms linked to such a deficiency.
• As men age, they are more likely to experience symptoms such as lack of sex drive and erectile dysfunction as a result of low levels of testosterone, the researchers explain.
Low testosterone is defined as 300ng/dL (nanograms per deciliter) of total testosterone and less than 5 ng/dL of free testosterone. Free testosterone is the amount of hormone not bound to other proteins.
• Low testosterone can indicate androgen deficiency if it is accompanied by low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, osteoporosis or fracture, and two or more of the following: sleep disturbance, depressed mood, lethargy or diminished physical performance.
New England Research Institute scientists analyzed data from almost 1,500 men enrolled in the Boston Area Community Health Survey. The survey tracks people aged 30 to 79 years and compiles data on factors such as testosterone, symptoms of hormone deficiency, and medications that may impact sex hormone levels.
• Approximately 24 percent of the men surveyed had low total testosterone and 11 percent had low levels of free testosterone.
Many of the men had no symptoms related to their low testosterone.
About 5.6 percent of the men in this study suffered from symptomatic androgen deficiency. Older men were especially prone: over 18 percent of men over age 70 met the criteria for this deficiency.
• Based on these results, the researchers predict that by 2025 there may be as many as 6.5 million
American men between 30 and 79 years of age with symptomatic androgen deficiency, an
increase of 38 percent from the year 2000 population estimates.
Men with low testosterone (hypogonadism) may experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms due to the hormone imbalance.
Common symptoms of low testosterone in men include:
• Low sex drive: A decreased interest in sexual activity is a common symptom of low testosterone.
• Erectile dysfunction: Men with low testosterone may have difficulty achieving or maintaining erections.
• Fatigue and low energy: Reduced testosterone levels can lead to a lack of energy and persistent fatigue.
• Decreased muscle mass: Testosterone plays a role in muscle development, and low levels may result in reduced muscle mass.
Increased body fat: Low testosterone can lead to an increase in body fat, particularly around the abdomen.
• Mood changes: Some men with low testosterone may experience mood swings, irritability, and even depression.
• Decreased bone density: Testosterone is essential for maintaining bone health, so low levels may lead to reduced bone density and an increased risk of fractures.
• Changes in hair growth: Men with low testosterone might experience loss of body and facial hair.
The Growing Problem of an Enlarged Prostate Gland
The most common prostate problem among men over age 50,this condition can cause embarrassing urination issues.
(Harvard Health Publishing)
• By age 60, half of all men will have an enlarged prostate, a condition also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. By age 85, the proportion reaches 90%. While BPH does not increase your risk of getting prostate cancer or having sexual problems, it can affect quality of life, specifically by causing annoying and embarrassing urination problems.
Men often dread even the idea of having a prostate check. But because enlarged prostate, or benign
prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a common condition that affects men as they age, it's important to
know the facts.
• About 50% of men between the ages of 51 and 60 have BPH, and that number jumps to 70% among men aged 60 to 69 and around 80% of men over 70 years of age. While some men who have BPH do not experience any bothersome symptoms, for many it causes problems with urination including increased urinary frequency, urgency, and an inability to completely empty the bladder.
Source: “1 in 4 Men Over 30 Has Low Testosterone.” ABC News,
abcnews.go.com/Health/Healthday/story?id=4508669&page=1. Accessed 19
• Source: “Enlarged Prostate (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia).” Yale Medicine, 11 Aug.
2022, www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/enlarged-prostate-benign-prostatic-hyperplasia-
bph#:~:text=About%2050%25%20of%20men%20between,over%2070%20years%
• Source: “The Growing Problem of an Enlarged Prostate Gland.” Harvard Health, 3 Feb.
2021, www.health.harvard.edu/mens-health/the-growing-problem-of-an-enlarged-
prostate-
gland#:~:text=By%20age%2060%2C%20half%20of,%2C%20the%20proportion%20rea
ches%2090%25.