Low Male Testosterone a Medical Condition

More than 50 percent of U.S. women attribute low testosterone symptoms in their male partners to aging, instead of a medical condition, a survey found.

Among women with symptomatic partners, 44 percent of those whose partners have not visited a doctor say that the barrier is that the partner thinks his symptoms are a normal part of aging, according to the survey conducted by Harris Interactive for Spirit of Women Health Network.

Most people don’t realize that low testosterone is a serious medical condition, and one that can have an impact on the entire family, Tanya Abreu, president and national program director of the Spirit of Women Health Network, said in a statement. If left untreated, low testosterone can affect a man’s overall health, personal relationships and quality of life.

As many as 5 million U.S. men over the age of 18 have lower than normal levels of testosterone, a medical condition caused by disease or damage to the testicles, hypothalamus or pituitary gland that inhibits testosterone production in men.

Symptoms of low testosterone in most symptomatic men include: lack of energy, decreased libido, less strong erections, a sad and/or grumpy mood and irritability, according to the survey.