Too many men relying on sex hormone drugs for bedroom ‘oomph’ is costing NHS £20million
Common symptoms are part of the 'male menopause' and with men who are over-weight or diabetic
TOO many men rely on testosterone drugs to give them a lift in the bedroom, medical experts warn.
The sex hormone prescriptions, such as jabs and gels, have increased by 20 per cent since 2012 and now cost the NHS £20million a year.
Experts say doctors are too quick to give them to older men experiencing normal sexual changes.
GPs prescribe them for men complaining of fatigue, erectile dysfunction, reduced physical endurance and mood disturbance.
The symptoms are a normal part of growing old and collectively known as the “male menopause” or late-onset hypogonadism.
They are also common in those who are too fat or have diabetes.
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Men are also demanding testosterone products after seeing adverts that promise to give them back their “oomph.”
Testosterone and testosterone undecanoate are now among the top ten most prescribed controlled drugs for the first time, analysis by found.
Dr Martin Duerden, prescribing adviser at the Royal College of GPs, said: “I think we should use these products very cautiously unless there are clear clinical explanations for hypogonadism other than age.”
Dr Andrew Green, prescribing spokesperson for the British Medical Association’s GPs Committee, said patients with “just the normal changes in sexual function that happen with age” were influenced by magazines.