Improved sexual function during recombinant human erythropoietin therapy.
In seven male haemodialysis patients, living with a constant sexual partner, sexual life (self-administered questionnaire) and sex hormones were evaluated before and 3 or 10 months after commencement of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) therapy respectively. Haematocrit increased from 22.2 +/- 2.1% to 30.6 +/- 1% with a maintenance dose of 140 +/- 55 U/kg per week. Two patients were hypertensive before and after rHuEpo therapy; antihypertensive medication was kept constant during the study. Self-reported sexual function improved in four of seven patients, including libido and erection. This was paralleled by improved indices of wellbeing (physical fitness, mental alertness). In contrast, serum values of sexual hormones (testosterone or oestradiol) and of basal and stimulated (LHRH/TRH), prolactin and LH, and FSH were not significantly changed during rHuEpo therapy.
Bommer
J
J
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Heidelberg, FRG.
Kugel
M
M
Schwöbel
B
B
Ritz
E
E
Barth
H P
HP
Seelig
R
R
D000328:Adult; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin