Vic: New guide launched to inform on men's health

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Vic: New guide launched to inform on men's health

By Renee Barnes

MELBOURNE, Aug 4 AAP - Australian men were today warned to spend as much time lookingafter their bodies as they do their cars.

The warning by racing car driver Larry Perkins was given at the launch in Melbourneof a series of information guides aimed at breaking the silence on men's reproductivehealth.

The first guide, produced by Andrology Australia, deals with androgen deficiency orthe decline of testosterone - which affects approximately 10 per cent of men aged over65 years.

Director of Andrology Australia Professor David de Kretser said the booklets were aresult of a needs analysis survey of men.

He said the survey pointed to a lack of information on men's reproductive health.

"One of the things we are trying to do is empower the individual and their familiesto take a role in decision-making and responsibility for their health," he said.

Mr Perkins told the launch men should treat their own health like they treat the healthof their cars.

"I came here today in a really nice new Monaro and I can guarantee that all of thepipes and things are working really good, but back in the 1960s the Monaro I had then,I'm not so sure that would be in such good shape," he said.

"Likewise there are some guys that don't look after their machinery or don't look afterthemselves and they are a bit of sorry cases...

"Just have a look at yourself and become aware of it."

Andrology Australia is a federally-funded initiative aimed at enhancing community andhealth professional knowledge in targeted areas of male reproductive health.

Other guides will cover Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, testicular cancer, erectile dysfunctionand male infertility.

AAP rb/gfr/drp/de

KEYWORD: TESTOSTERONE (PIX AVAILABLE)