A waning sex drive is part of getting old, right men? Or it could be a symptom of a very treatable health condition, says Nel Staveley

Nearly half of British men would rather tackle the mind-numbing hell of filling in a tax return form than talk about a sensitive health issue like loss of libido, according to a recent survey. A further 23 per cent even said they'd rather have root canal treatment.

It's hardly surprising, really. At the risk of stereotyping, it's generally known that men are not very good at talking about their feelings, admitting they're not 'manly' enough, or going to the doctor. "Men can be reluctant to talk about sensitive issues," agrees Embarrassing Bodies' Dr Christian Jessen.

Specifically here, he's talking about 'issue' of testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS). Not sure what that is? Well exactly; that's because no one's talking about it. Let's change that...

What is TDS?

Testosterone deficiency syndrome is when the level of testosterone drops to an unusually low level, or stops being produced altogether and symptoms occur. Signs of TDS are often subtle and can be mistaken as a part of ageing.

Why does testosterone matter?

It's required by all men for a healthy life, physically and psychologically, and as well as the more well-known job of stimulating sperm production and sex drive, testosterone is also crucial for the development of muscle and bone mass.

So who gets TDS?

"Testosterone deficiency syndrome affects eight per cent of men aged between 50 and 79 years old," says Jessen. That equates to over 700,000 men, but many of them will mistake the symptoms as just a side-effect of getting old. "What a lot of people don't realise is that it's not just a part of the ageing process and it can be treated, so visiting your GP is really important," says Jessen. He adds that men over 45 with diabetes or metabolic syndrome have higher odds of getting TDS, and other risk factors include obesity and excessive alcohol consumption.

What are the symptoms?

"There are various signs and symptoms," explains Jessen. "But the symptoms that can often cause concern are a loss of sex drive and loss of morning erections."

Here's what to look out for:

:: Low libido

:: Erectile dysfunction

:: Ejaculatory dysfunction

:: Reduced muscle mass and weakness

:: Fatigue

:: Reduced wellbeing

:: Putting on weight

:: Depression

:: Loss of concentration

:: Hot flushes and sweats

:: Reduced body hair

:: Irritability

Should you go to the doctor?

Yes, you should. "TDS is a serious health issue that can cause wider problems if left untreated," stresses Jessen. "So it's important that men do talk about it and realise that they're not alone, and that with the right treatment, including changes to lifestyle, it can be managed."

A GP or specialist will look at a patient's history, give a clinical examination and a questionnaire, plus blood tests to measure testosterone levels.

There are many treatment options available, mainly including changes to diet and lifestyle (like losing weight and drinking less if necessary). Testosterone replacement therapy options are also available.

For more information on TDS, visit whatistds.com