title: A relationship of sex hormone levels and erectile dysfunction: which tests should be done routinely?
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Celal Bayar University, Medical Faculty, 45010 Manisa, Turkey. talhadr@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Talha
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Müezzinoğu
authors.forename: Bilal
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gümüş
authors.forename: Gökhan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Temeltaş
authors.forename: Zeki
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ari
authors.forename: Coşkun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Büyüksu
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D013739:Testosterone; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone