By Dhany Osman

If you are a male from the baby boomer generation - that is, aged between 45 and 62 - you should be taking better care of your health.

After all, a Straits Times report, 'Men losing sex drive at younger age', on Nov 7 noted that one in five Singaporean men aged 45 and above experiences low testosterone levels for their age.

The condition, known as hypogonadism, can lead to falling libido, male osteoporosis (brittle bones) and fatigue in older men.

Hypogonadism will be among men's health issues to be raised at the three-day Third Japan-Asean Men's Health Conference to be held here from Dec 1 to 3.

Medical experts from around the world will also speak on topics like prostate cancer and andropause (also known as male menopause).

The conference, jointly organised by the Society for Men's Health (Singapore) and the Singapore Urological Association, will focus mainly on age-related conditions affecting men.

Mind Your Body spoke to doctors from different fields for their views on men's health issues and on some of these conditions.

Falling testosterone levels

Testosterone, also known as the principal male hormone, plays a crucial role in the overall well-being and sexual functioning of both men and women.

Produced by the testes in males, testosterone contributes to the growth of muscle mass, increase in bone density and the maturation of sex organs at puberty.

In adult men, testosterone helps to regulate libido along with their levels of physical and mental energy.

While it is generally acknowledged that testosterone levels decrease with age, the Nov 7 report suggests that a significant number of Singaporean men are experiencing unusually low levels of the hormone for their age.

Previously associated primarily with sexual problems, hypogonadism has now been found to also affect other areas, like the immune system.

'Treating hypogonadism has shifted from sexual reasons to treating it for other bodily complaints,' said Professor Peter Lim, a urologist in private practice and president of the Society for Men's Health (Singapore).

'Low testosterone levels can affect your mind as well. It can make you moody and grumpy,' he added.

Symptoms of the condition include joint and muscular aches, excessive sweating, sleep problems, physical exhaustion, decrease in muscular strength as well as the inability to perform sexually.

Men who suspect they are suffering from hypogonadism can fill up a health questionnaire that surveys their physical, psychological and sexual symptoms. The form is available at some general practitioner and specialist clinics.

For those whose answers are positive, a blood test for the amount of bio-available testosterone in their system can then be conducted to confirm the condition.

Hormone replacement therapy like patches, creams, oral medications or injections can then be started.

Injections cost $150 a month while oral medication for three months costs about $530, Prof Lim said.

As hypogonadism is related to many other physiological symptoms, treating it can improve a patient's overall health.

'You'll feel leaner and meaner with treatment,' he said.

Urological problems

In addition to erectile dysfunction (ED), common urological problems affecting middle-aged men include BPH or benign prostate hyperplasia (prostate enlargement) and prostate cancer.

Dr Chin Chong Min, a senior consultant urologist and vice-president of the Singapore Urological Association, said BPH - which can cause severe urinary infections and kidney obstruction - will affect about 50 per cent of men by the time they are 60.

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