PHYSICIANS RECOGNIZE MALE "ANDROPAUSE" SIMILAR TO WOMEN'S MENOPAUSE

PUBLIC (70%) AND PHYSICIANS (78%) RECOGNIZE MALE "ANDROPAUSE" SIMILAR TO WOMEN'S MENOPAUSE AS THEY GET OLDER

MAJORITY OF PHYSICIANS (71%) AND PUBLIC (67%) BELIEVES ANDROPAUSE CAN AFFECT THE QUALITY OF A MAN'S LIFE AS MUCH AS MENOPAUSE CAN AFFECT A WOMAN'S

9 IN 10 (93%) PHYSICIANS BELIEVE LOW TESTOSTERONE IN MALES IS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO ANDROPAUSE AND CAN BE ASSOCIATED WITH MORE SERIOUS PROBLEMS SUCH AS INCREASED CARDIOVASCULAR RISK (44%) AND OSTEOPOROSIS (29%)

The results discussed are based on two surveys conducted by the Angus Reid Group Healthcare Division for Organon Canada. The first was an Angus Reid poll consisting of a random sample of 1,500 Canadian adults interviewed between February 3rd and February 9th, 1999. A sample of 1,500 is said to have an associated margin of error of + 2.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty. This data is weighted to reflect the actual regional, age and sex composition of the actual Canadian population.

The second set of data was collected through the Angus Reid Group General Physician Omnibus. This survey includes a random sample of 200 GP/FPs in active clinical practice throughout Canada and was conducted between January 28th and February 12th, 1999. The margin of error for a sample size of 200 is + 6.9 percentage points nineteen times out of twenty. The GP/FP data is weighted to reflect the regional composition of these clinical practices in Canada.

A majority of Canadian physicians (78%) and adult Canadians (70%) acknowledge Andropause as a form of "male menopause" -- something men experience that is similar to women's menopause - according to a new survey. Indeed, the majority of physicians (71%) and the public (67%) believe men's lives can be affected as much as menopause can affect a woman's. Further, 9 in 10 (93%) physicians believe low testosterone in males is a contributing factor to andropause and can be associated with more serious problems such as increased cardiovascular risk (44%) and osteoporosis (29%).

The following highlights are the culmination of two Angus Reid Group surveys. The first consists of a random sample of 1,500 Canadian adults interviewed between February 3rd and February 9th, 1999. The second survey was of 200 Canadian GP/FPs and was conducted between January 28th and February 12th, 1999.

Public (70%) and Physicians (78%) Recognize Andropause as Something Similar to Women's Menopause

Most Canadians (70%) and Canadian physicians (78%) think that men experience something similar to women's menopause when they start getting older.

• Women (81%) are more likely than men (59%) to think that men experience something similar to women's menopause when they start getting older.
• Canadians living in Quebec (77%) are more likely than those living on either coast, Atlantic Provinces (64%) and BC (65%), to recognize that men experience something similar to menopause.

Familiarity with the term - Andropause

On an open-ended basis, physicians either referred to the conditions referred to above as either andropause (55%) or male menopause (31%). On a closed-ended basis, nine in ten (87%) of physicians indicated that they had heard of the term andropause.

The Majority of Physicians (71%) and Public (67%) Alike Believe Men are as Affected as Women

The majority of physicians (71%) and Canadian adults (67%) believe that andropause can affect the quality of a man's life as much as menopause can affect a woman's.

• Female respondents (77%) are more likely than males (57%) to agree that andropause can affect the quality of a man's life as much as menopause can affect a woman's.
• Residents of British Columbia (57%) appear to be less likely than the national average (67%) to believe that men are affected by andropause as much as women are by menopause.

9 in 10 (93%) Physicians Believe Low Testosterone is a Contributing Factor to Andropause and can be Associated with More Serious Problems

Nine in ten (93%) physicians believe that, not only is low testosterone a contributing factor to the condition caused by andropause, this lowering of testosterone can cause more serious health problems. Health concerns typically associated with lowered levels of testosterone include decreases in sex drive or erectile dysfunction (87%) and decreased enjoyment of life (70%). However, according to physicians, loss of energy and reduced strength (72%), osteoporosis (44%) and increased cardiovascular risk (29%) are some of the more serious conditions resulting from lower levels of testosterone.

Public Also Sees Complications with Andropause

A full majority of Canadians (77%) believe that andropause may cause physical problems for men, like decreased energy, a decreased sense of well being, or reduced sexual interest or function. A majority (53%) also believe that andropause may lead to more serious complications for men, like osteoporosis or increased cardiovascular risk.

• Women (84%) are more likely than men (69%) to believe that andropause can cause physical problems like a decreased sense of well being or reduced sexual interest or function.
• Women (60%) are also more likely than men (46%) to think that more serious complications can result from the effects of andropause

Women are more likely to encourage Men to Seek Consultation from Physicians than men would themselves

If a man who was close to them experienced symptoms like those discussed above, nine in ten (92%) suggested they would be likely to encourage him to consult with their physician about andropause. When men were asked the same question about themselves and how likely they would be to consult with their doctor seven in ten (70%) said they would discuss andropause with their doctor.

For further information, please contact:

John Wright
Senior Vice-President
Angus Reid Group
(416) 324-2900