If you are a male, aged above 40, and have mood swings comparable to women during their menopausal period, listen up — you may be suffering from a low level of testosterone, which may pose greater health risks than just a decrease in sexual desire.

Medically-termed hypogonadism, this testosterone deficiency syndrome — if left untreated — can lead to major health problems such as severe depression, diabetes, heart disease and even Alzheimer's disease.

The male sex hormone typically decreases by 1 per cent each year after a man hits 40 years of age.

But help is now at hand, with the Health Sciences Authority recently giving the green light for the prescription of Nebido — the world's first long-acting testosterone replacement injection therapy — in Singapore hospitals.

Unlike old methods that can only last up to three weeks, Nebido maintains testosterone level in the blood within a normal range for about three months, hence, requiring only four doses per year.

It also produces more consistent levels of testosterone, claims its maker Bayer Schering Pharma.

"With conventional therapies, after injection, testosterone levels increase to levels higher than normal, followed by a rapid decline to hypogonadal level within two weeks," said Professor Farid Saad, head of Bayer's global scientific affairs, men's healthcare, yesterday.

"This wide variation in serum testosterone levels — described as a roller-coaster effect — produces unwanted fluctuation in mood, energy, libido and sexual function," he added.

Nonetheless, an improved physical and mental wellbeing comes with a price.

Nebido costs $300 per jab, almost a six-fold increase from conventional methods, which costs about $50 per injection.

Estimates from the National University Hospital also revealed that 12 per cent of patients who suffer from erectile dysfunction — aged 51 and above — are diagnosed with the syndrome yearly, a trend that doctors say will increase as the population ages.

However, men do not usually seek treatment for hypogonadism because they are unaware of the condition and its consequences, said the National University Hospital's clinical sexologist Prof Ganesan Adaikan.

"While a drop in testosterone level is part of getting older, it needs to be addressed when accompanied by symptoms such as an expanding waistline, reduced muscle mass, poor concentration, a decline in sexual functions, mood and overall energy," he added. "This is because such persistent problems can damage a man's self-esteem, strain relationships, disrupt careers or even cause serious health problems."


- TODAY/so