Andropause: knowledge and perceptions among the general public and health care professionals.

Background: Andropause, the natural age-related decline in testosterone in men, has been debated in the literature. The nonsexual benefits of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in male hypogonadism are well documented, but whether health care professionals (HCPs) and members of the general public are aware of these benefits is not known. This study assesses the knowledge and perceptions of andropause and TRT among HCPs and members of the general public.

Methods: Brief surveys were administered to HCPs and members of the general public who called a medical information telephone line. Trained clinical interviewers surveyed participants for experiences with andropause and TRT and knowledge about nonsexual effects of low testosterone in men.

Results: Of 443 general public callers, 377 (85%) agreed to participate in the survey. Of these participants, 77% had heard of andropause or male menopause, and 63% had taken TRT. Of 88 HCP callers, 57 (65%) participated. Of these participants, 65% were pharmacists, 80% had encountered patients with symptoms of low testosterone, and 50% reported that patients rarely or never initiated conversations about low testosterone. Among HCPs and the general public, respectively, 98% and 91% knew that low testosterone is treatable with medication, and 60% and 57% knew that it results in osteoporosis. Only 25% of HCPs and 14% of the general public knew that low testosterone does not cause loss of urinary control.

Conclusions: HCPs and members of the general public are knowledgeable about some aspects of low testosterone and have misconceptions about others. Educational initiatives are needed.