Myth of the manopause

PRIVATE doctors are pushing the myth of a widespread ‘male menopause’ to cash in on the sexual performance fears of middle-aged men, a leading doctor has warned.

Dr Richard Quinton said there was no ‘andropause’ or ‘manopause’ and 98 per cent of men continue to produce the male sex hormone testosterone throughout their lives.

The consultant endocrinologist at Newcastle University Hospital said that unlike the female menopause, which affects all women, just ‘two per cent’ of men will suffer a shutdown of testosterone.

He said: ‘When you hear Harley Street testosterone prescribers say “Ah, andropause, that’s 40 per cent of older men.” That’s…complete drivel.’

Private clinics are offering testosterone replacement therapy, claiming it will restore sexual desire and treat erectile dysfunction and depression. Prescriptions on the NHS rose 20 per cent from 2012 to 2016.

But Dr Quinton said there was a group of frail men who would benefit from additional testosterone - those with anaemia. A study found one in five were producing zero testosterone but were not being helped.

Dr Quinton told the British Science Festival in Hull: ‘Simultaneously we know men having maybe a minor sexual issue, having a random blood test and given testosterone they really didn’t need at all.’