MAN UP!

Low testosterone is as much a taboo for men as menopause has been for women. It needn't be

- Ceri Roberts

Low testosterone, or Testosterone Deficiency (TD), is experienced by two out of 100 men, and while it becomes increasingly common with age, ageing isn't the only reason. Its impact can be upsetting, leaving men feeling unhappy and unwell. The good news is that it's an entirely treatable problem. The difficulty can lie in identifying it.

While most people imagine low testosterone to be purely associated with libido and sex, there are actually a whole range of other symptoms that may indicate a testosterone problem, and it's often spouses and partners who are best placed to spot them.

SYMPTOMS

Men with low testosterone levels may feel excessive tiredness, even after sleep. A lowering of testosterone can produce a range of physical and psychological symptoms in them. Many of these can be easily mistaken for other conditions, or simply the bad temper of age. Knowing what to look out for can help you to get your partner the treatment they need. Dr David Edwards, general practitioner and specialist in men's and women's sexual health and contributor to TRTed, shares the key signs and symptoms to be aware of:

1 He's tired all the time

Whether it's nodding off on the couch every evening, spending more time at home just relaxing, not wanting to get out of bed in the morning despite a full night's sleep, or putting off tasks or events that he would usually enjoy, he may have a testosterone imbalance.

2 He's more irritable or depressed than usual

Testosterone affects emotions and too little can lead to depression. Suppose your partner is snappish or moody for no apparent reason. In the case that he's not stressed or obviously ill, there are no family or other personal problems-there's a chance that it might be low testosterone pulling his emotions all over the place.

3 He's putting on weight