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Clinical Urologic Endocrinology pp 41–57Cite as

Testosterone and Sexual Function

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Abstract

Testosterone is the most defining of male hormones. Having low testosterone affects many aspects of male sexuality; however,the effects of low testosterone are variable. Data regarding treatment of low testosterone and its effects on sexual dysfunction are highly variable in quality and,in many areas,show conflicting results. In this review,we will review the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis as well as discuss animal and human data regarding the link between testosterone and erectile function. Furthermore, we discuss testosterone replacement and its effects on treatments for erectile dysfunction as well as present the limited data available regarding the possible association of Peyronie’s disease and low testosterone. Finally, we discuss the effects of testosterone on libido and orgasmic function.

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Abbreviations

ADT:

Androgen deprivation therapy

BAT:

Bioavailable testosterone

CaP:

Carcinoma of the prostate

DHEA:

Dehydoepiandrosterone

DHEA-S:

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate

ED:

Erectile dysfunction

FT:

Free testosterone

HSD:

Hypoactive sexual desire

IIEF:

International Index of Erectile Function

IM:

Intramuscular

MPOA:

Medial preoptic area

NAAD:

Neoadjuvant androgen deprivation

NOS:

Nitric oxide synthase

PD:

Peyronie’s disease

PDE5:

Phosphodiesterase-5

PSV:

Peak systolic velocity

RP:

Radical Prostatectomy

SEP:

Sexual encounter profile

TRT:

Testosterone replacement therapy

TT:

Total testosterone

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Wayland Hsiao M.D.

  2. Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA

    John P. Mulhall M.D.

Authors
  1. Wayland Hsiao M.D.
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  2. John P. Mulhall M.D.
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Correspondence to John P. Mulhall M.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Urology, Austin Fertility & Reproductive Medicine, JAMES CASEY SUITE B 4303, AUSTIN, 78745, Texas, USA

    Parviz K. Kavoussi

  2. University of Virginia School of Medicin, University Of Virginia Hospital, 1300 Jefferson Parks Avenue, Charlottesville, 22903, Virginia, USA

    Raymond A. Costabile

  3. Department of Urology, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Via Olgettina 60, Milan, 20132, Italy

    Andrea Salonia

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Hsiao, W., Mulhall, J.P. (2013). Testosterone and Sexual Function. In: Kavoussi, P., Costabile, R., Salonia, A. (eds) Clinical Urologic Endocrinology. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4405-2_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4405-2_4

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