Erectile dysfunction and lipid disorders.

Epidemiological studies have shown that elevated serum cholesterol and reduced high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of erectile dysfunction (ED). This is another example of the link between ED and atherosclerosis. Whether correcting a dyslipidaemic profile will result in a reduced risk of developing ED has not been established. Similarly, it is not known if such an intervention will improve symptoms in patients with established ED. The situation is further complicated by the likelihood that one of the rarer side-effects of fibrates and statins is ED. There is a need for appropriately designed trials to establish if intervening with statins or fibrates is beneficial on a short- or long-term basis for the treatment or prevention of ED.