The effect of fasting on erectile function and sexual desire on men in the month of Ramadan.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of Ramadan intermittent fasting on erectile function (EF), sexual desire and serum hormone levels.


METHODS
Eligible male participants completed the two domains of International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire for EF and sexual desire. They also provided information on any known disease, treatment taking, smoking habits and frequency of sexual intercourse. Frequency of sexual intercourse, two domains of IIEF questionnaire, serum hormone levels, body weight before and four-weeks after the end of month of Ramadan were also recorded.


RESULTS
Overall, 45 men, with a mean age of 37 ± 7.2 years, participated in the study. Frequency of sexual intercourse (P = .046), sexual desire (P = .002), body weight (P = .009) and serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) level (P = .016) decreased significantly at the end of month of Ramadan compared to baseline. No statistically significant differences were found on EF (P = .714), serum testosterone (P = .847), luteinizing hormone (P = .876), estradiol (P = .098) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels (P = .290).


CONCLUSIONS
Ramadan intermittent fasting might be associated with decrease in sexual desire, frequency of sexual intercourse and serum FSH level.
Department of Urology, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar.
Raidh A
RA
Talib
Department of Urology, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar.. ocanguven@yahoo.com.
Onder
O
Canguven
Department of Urology, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar.
Khalid
K
Al-Rumaihi
Department of Urology, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar.
Abdulla
A
Al Ansari
Department of Urology, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar.
Mohammed
M
Alani
D000328:Adult; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D005215:Fasting; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam; D008297:Male; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000502:physiology*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires