A relationship of sex hormone levels and erectile dysfunction: which tests should be done routinely?
OBJECTIVE
In this study, the relationship between sex hormone levels and erectile dysfunction (ED), as well as the necessity of routinely measuring sex hormone levels were evaluated.


METHODS
This study included one hundred patients admitted to a urology clinic for sexual dysfunction. To determine the hormone levels, following the history (included IIEF-5 score) and physical examination, triple blood samples were collected at intervals of 15 minutes between 08:00 and 10:00 am. Total and free testosterone, prolactin, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels were studied.


RESULTS
Mean age was 43 (23-80) years. IIEF-5 score was less than 21 [9.8-4.3 (3-19)] in all study groups. There was a statistically significant correlation between tT and FSH, as well as between LH and FSH in Pearson (r =-0.513, p < 0.001, respectively) and also in Spearman tests (r=-0.224, p=0.042 and r=-0.459, p < 0.001, respectively). However, there was no correlation between age and serum hormone levels (p > 0.05). Of the 100 patients, 18 (18%) had low tT, 77 (77%) had normal and 5 (5%) had high tT levels. No statistically significant correlation was found between decreased libido and tT levels (p > 0.05). Twelve (66.6%) of the 18 patients with low tT had normal libido.


CONCLUSIONS
Analyzing the medical history in detail and performing a thorough physical examination can reduce the need for excessive studies and consultations, and enables patients to save time and costs.
Müezzinoğu
Talha
T
Department of Urology, Celal Bayar University, Medical Faculty, 45010 Manisa, Turkey. talhadr@yahoo.com
Gümüş
Bilal
B
Temeltaş
Gökhan
G
Ari
Zeki
Z
Büyüksu
Coşkun
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000097:blood*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods; D007989:Libido; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D013739:Testosterone; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone