This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Epidemiology

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Epidemiology

Estimates of TD prevalence vary widely, with epidemiological research being complicated by differences in study populations, methodology, type of testosterone used (total, free or bioavailable), timing of tests, assay techniques, and diagnostic criteria.1

The European Male Aging Study (EMAS) evaluated 3,369 men aged 40-79 years according to biochemistry and symptoms. TD was defined as the presence of 3 or more sexual symptoms, associated with a total testosterone less than 11 nmol/L and a free testosterone less than 0.22nmol/L.2

TD prevalence was 2.1% overall, and rates increased with age, from 0.1% in men aged 40-49, to 0.6% in men aged 50-59, 3.2% in men aged 60-69 and 5.1% in men aged 70-79.2

When considering testosterone levels in isolation, (as opposed to the combination of low testosterone levels with relevant symptoms), more than 70% of men maintained normal testosterone levels into older age, which suggests that TD is not solely related to aging.3

The prevalence of primary TD was 2%, secondary TD 11.8% and compensated (subclinical) TD 9.5%.3

Reference:

  • 1. Dean JD, McMahon CG, Guay AT, et al. The International Society for Sexual Medicine's process of care for the assessment and management of testosterone deficiency in adult men. J Sex Med 2015;12:1660-1686.
  • 2. Wu FCW, Tajar A, Beynon JM, et al; EMAS Group. Identification of late-onset hypogonadism in middle aged and elderly men. N Engl J Med 2010;363:123-135.
  • 3. Tajar A, Forti G, O'Neill TW, et al. Characteristics of secondary, primary, and compensated hypogonadism in aging men: evidence from the European Male Ageing Study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2010;95:1810-1818.

Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.