Newbury, Berkshire, 28th September, 2009 – Men across the UK are being urged to ‘Revive Your Drive’ following the launch of a new campaign to raise awareness of Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome (TDS). The campaign developed by Bayer Schering Pharma aims to encourage men who may be suffering from TDS to ask themselves 10 quick questions (the ADAM Test – see Notes to Editors), to determine whether they need to get their testosterone levels checked. Men particularly at risk include those with erectile dysfunction (ED) or Type 2 diabetes mellitus(1) and common signs include diminished sexual desire/libido(1), lethargy and fatigue(2).
Dr. Christian Jessen explains, “The purpose of this campaign is to support men that are experiencing features of testosterone deficiency syndrome and to encourage them to talk to their GP about their testosterone level. Up to 37% of men with erectile dysfunction(3) and 42% of men with Type 2 diabetes have symptomatic TDS(4). TDS is often left under-diagnosed and under-treated in adult men, even though treating TDS with testosterone replacement therapy has shown great benefits in improving diabetic control5, mood6, and sexual desire and function in men(1,6). It is widely recommended that all patients with erectile dysfunction should have their testosterone levels checked(7).”
Low testosterone levels have also been shown to be correlated with an increased death rate in men(8), reduced sexual health(9), specifically libido and it is often observed in the presence of common chronic illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes(9,10). Although relatively unknown, TDS is quite common, affecting between one in every 200 men(11) and one in ten men over the age of 50 years(12).
ED patients often share the same risk factors as testosterone deficient patients, i.e. abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, dyslipidaemia and diabetes mellitus. The key features of TDS include (see Notes to Editors for full list):
• Lethargy and fatigue(2)
• Erectile dysfunction(1)
• Diminished sexual desire/libido(1)
• Waist circumference >102cm (when measured one inch above naval)(13)
Testosterone replacement therapies are effective for treating the features of TDS and are available in a number of formulations:
• Transdermal gel
• Long-acting injection
• Short-acting injections
• Patch
• Oral treatment
• Subcutaneous implants