Skip to main content

The Testosterone and ED (or Sexual Function) Connection

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Men's Health
  • 1261 Accesses

Abstract

The role of testosterone in male sexual function has been controversially discussed in the literature. The control of libido by testosterone is a well-established knowledge (Fig. 9.1). Assessment of libido in hypogonadal men treated with testosterone invariably results in an increase. Recent data have shown that sexual thoughts and fantasy are restored within as little as 3 weeks in men receiving testosterone treatment (Fig. 9.2). Also for a long time, testosterone has been known to be closely associated with the number and quality of nocturnal erections. The decrease of morning erections is one of the key symptoms of hypogonadism (Fig. 9.3). However, testosterone was not considered to be a successful treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) with the exception of a very small group of patients with extremely low testosterone levels as an actual cause for ED. This opinion was even enhanced by the introduction of PDE5 inhibitors which made testosterone therapy for ED almost forgotten.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Corona G, Forti G, Maggi M. Why can patients with erectile dysfunction be considered lucky? The association with testosterone deficiency and metabolic syndrome. Aging Male. 2008;11:193–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jockenhoevel F, Minnemann T, Schubert M, Freude S, Huebler D, Schumann C, Christoph A, Ernst M, Gooren L. Time table of effects of testosterone administration to hypogonadal men on variables of sex and mood. Aging Male. 2009;12:113–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kalinchenko SY, Kozlov G, Gontcharov N, Katsiya G. Oral testosterone undecanoate reverses erectile dysfunction associated with diabetes mellitus in patients failing on sildenafil citrate therapy alone. Aging Male. 2003;6:94–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kurbatov D, Kuznetsky J, Traish A. Testosterone improves erectile function in hypogonadal patients with venous leakage. J Androl. 2008;29:630–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rajfer J, Rosciszewski A, Mehringer M. Prevalence of corporeal venous leakage in impotent men. J Urol. 1988;140:69–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Traish AM, Guay AT. Are androgens critical for penile erection in humans? Examining the clinical and preclinical evidence. J Sex Med. 2006;3:382–407.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Traish AM, Guay A, Feeley R, Saad F. The dark side of testosterone deficiency: I. Metabolic syndrome and erectile dysfunction. J Androl. 2009;30:10–22.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wespes E, Amar E, Hatzichristou D, Hatzimouratidis K, Montorsi M, Pryor J, Vardi Y. EAU guidelines on erectile dysfunction: an update. Eur Urol. 2006;49:806–15.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yassin AA, Saad F. Treatment of sexual dysfunction of hypogonadal patients with long-acting testosterone undecanoate (Nebido®). World J Urol. 2006;24:639–44.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yassin AA, Traish A, Saad F. Testosterone undecanoate restores erectile function in a subset of patients with venous leakage: a series of case reports. J Sex Med. 2006;3:727–35.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Farid Saad DVM, Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer-Verlag London

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Saad, F. (2013). The Testosterone and ED (or Sexual Function) Connection. In: Lim, P. (eds) Men's Health. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4766-4_9

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4766-4_9

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-4765-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-4766-4

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics