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MEN feeling tired, depressed and with lowered levels of sexual desire may be able to find the cause of their woes – in a van.
The van will move around Singapore this week, offering men a free health assessment to gauge if they are suffering from symptoms of testosterone-deficiency syndrome (TDS), and if they need medical help.
TDS, or hypogonadism, occurs when the male sex glands, the testes, produce few or no hormones.
The men will be asked to answer a questionnaire, and the results will indicate if they need to see a doctor or receive treatment such as testosterone injections. If so, they will be given a list of specialists they can see.
They will also be given a pamphlet on sexual health, which includes information on sexually transmitted diseases and erectile dysfunction, and a blank copy of the test, which they can retake in six months’ time.
The organisers of the $10,000 screening programme, the Society for Men’s Health (Singapore) and the Singapore Urological Association, aim to reach about 350 men aged 40 and above by the end of the week.
As TDS is an age-related syndrome, public education on this is timely as the population ages, said Professor Peter Lim, the society’s president.
He said: “The number will rise as our population ages, so it is important for us to nip these medical conditions in the bud before they develop into something more serious.”
A spokesman for the programme added: “Men might not feel comfortable going specifically to the doctor for such a personal issue. We hope that, by taking the health-assessment service closer to them, men will be better educated on this and won’t have to suffer silently.”
The organisers will also hold a forum on men’s sexual health at Singapore Management University at 2pm on Saturday, after which it will offer free TDS screenings.
On the first day of screening yesterday, more than 40 men turned up in two hours at the van, which was parked in the carpark of Hong Lim Park, near Speakers’ Corner.
Cargo clerk Tan Ah Shun, 72, was relieved to find out that he was unlikely to be suffering from TDS after taking the test.
He said in Mandarin: “All men are worried about their libidos. This test will help us better understand how we are doing and put our minds at ease.”
Those interested in a health assessment can call 6425-1053 to make a reservation, or call the Health Promotion Board’s Healthline on 1800-223-1313 for more information.
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