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Many men at risk of experiencing low testosterone

Category: General Health

More men may benefit from testosterone testing than previously thought, as a new estimate from the Northwestern University School of Medicine claims that as many as 5 million men in the U.S. may have low testosterone levels.

The condition of hypogonadism - or "male menopause" as it has come to be called - can result in mood swings, depression, fatigue, lack of interest in everyday activities and decreased sex drive. Research has also suggested that it may be associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. Worst of all, experts say that many men are unaware that they have the condition.

"This is a highly prevalent disorder," said Robert Brannigan , urologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. "Unfortunately, we estimate that 95 percent of cases are undiagnosed and therefore untreated. When ignored, symptoms can seriously disrupt one's quality of life."

He added that by age 70 men's testosterone levels may decrease by as much as 50 percent compared to when they were younger. While he said that this is a normal part of getting older, The fluctuations may be worse in some men, causing serious side effects.