The Aging Male's Symptoms (AMS) scale in Japanese men attending an infertility clinic

摘要

There is a gradual decline in testosterone and free testosterone with age. Physical and psychological changes can occur due to this decline of androgens--a syndrome known as "partial androgen decline in the aging male" (PADAM). Male infertility and erectile dysfunction (ED) can also be caused by androgen deficiency. Thus, male infertility, ED and PADAM are interrelated. We evaluated the prevalence of PADAM symptoms in 215 infertile patients in an infertility clinic using the Aging Males Symptom (AMS) scale. Results of the evaluation of 301 men, (30-39 years old) using the same scale, who were part of a multiphasic health screening program, served as controls. The total score of the infertile patients was lower than that of the controls. Especially, the scores of the psychological and somatic subscales were significantly lower in infertile patients (P=0.009, P=0.012, respectively). Thirty three (15.3%) of the 215 infertile patients had ED. Although the score of sexual subscale was higher in the ED patients than in the controls, the scores of the psychological and somatic subscales were not significantly different from those in the controls. In conclusion, PADAM symptoms in Japanese infertile patients were not severe. Moreover, general function was better preserved in the infertile patients than in the controls. The psychological and somatic functions of ED patients were also well preserved.