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SCMP Reporter

Middle-aged Hong Kong men  may experience andropause, but they do not know enough about it, a survey has found.
After the age of 40, a gradual decline in the male hormone testosterone in men may cause andropause. Other then having sexual, urinary, emotional and sleep problems, they may also face body fat gain and muscle, height and strength loss. 
A survey conducted by Hong Kong Baptist University in 2008 and released yesterday found  that almost  80 per cent of the 500  Chinese men aged over 40 interviewed had heard about andropause. 
This shows that Hong Kong men have a high level of awareness  about the condition,  said geography professor Yan Yuk-yee,  who was in charge of the research.
However, those who said they knew about andropause  failed on average in answering questions on its treatment and symptoms.  
More than  half  were unable to identify depression, weak erection, decrease in height caused by osteoporosis, and weight increase owing to  increase in body fat ratio as possible symptoms.
Of the  189 who  know that andropause could be treated, 34 were aware of the availability of  Testosterone Replacement Therapy - a hormonal treatment.
'It is important for people to be more informed about andropause because according to the government, Hong Kong will have over two  million elderly men in 2036. It will have a significant effect on our society,'  Yan said.
She said such poor knowledge of andropause among Chinese men in Hong Kong may be because  the symptoms are not specific to it. There may be  various causes for  these symptoms and people may not know that andropause may be a candidate.  
Another reason may be  a traditional Chinese value of being  conservative  about sexual issues, leading to little discussion on the matter.  
 'Chinese men in general are not comfortable with talking about sexual problems,'  Yan said.
The survey is  research in the field of medical geography, which aims to look at people's perceptions and to serve as a reference for medical education and services.



Men more aware of andropause but knowledge lacking, study finds