CONTEXT: Limited data are available exploring the associations between sex hormones, multiple domains of sexual functioning, and sexual function-related distress in nonpatient samples in Europe. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationships between serum testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and sexual function in a multicenter population-based study of aging in men. DESIGN: Using stratified random sampling, 2838 men aged 40-79 yr completed the European Male Ageing Study-Sexual Function Questionnaire and provided a blood sample for hormone measurements. T, E2, and DHT were measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. SETTING: We conducted a community-based population survey in eight European centers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported sexual function (overall sexual function, sexual function-related distress, erectile dysfunction, masturbation) was measured. RESULTS: Total and free T, but not E2 or DHT, was associated with overall sexual function in middle-aged and older men. E2 was the only hormone associated with sexual function-related distress such that higher levels were related to greater distress. Free T levels were associated with masturbation frequency and erectile dysfunction in the fully adjusted models, such that higher T was associated with less dysfunction and greater frequency. Moreover, there was a T threshold for the relationship between total T, sexual function, and erectile dysfunction. At T concentrations of 8 nmol/liter or less, T was associated with worse sexual functioning, whereas at T levels over 8 nmol/liter, the relationship came to a plateau. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that different hormonal mechanisms may regulate sexual functioning (T) vs. the psychological aspects (E2) of male sexual behavior. Moreover, there was a T threshold for overall sexual function such that at levels greater than 8 nmol/liter the relationship between T and sexual function did not become stronger.
CONTEXT: Limited data are available exploring the associations between sex hormones, multiple domains of sexual functioning, and sexual function-related distress in nonpatient samples in Europe. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationships between serum testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and sexual function in a multicenter population-based study of aging in men. DESIGN: Using stratified random sampling, 2838 men aged 40-79 yr completed the European Male Ageing Study-Sexual Function Questionnaire and provided a blood sample for hormone measurements. T, E2, and DHT were measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. SETTING: We conducted a community-based population survey in eight European centers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported sexual function (overall sexual function, sexual function-related distress, erectile dysfunction, masturbation) was measured. RESULTS: Total and free T, but not E2 or DHT, was associated with overall sexual function in middle-aged and older men. E2 was the only hormone associated with sexual function-related distress such that higher levels were related to greater distress. Free T levels were associated with masturbation frequency and erectile dysfunction in the fully adjusted models, such that higher T was associated with less dysfunction and greater frequency. Moreover, there was a T threshold for the relationship between total T, sexual function, and erectile dysfunction. At T concentrations of 8 nmol/liter or less, T was associated with worse sexual functioning, whereas at T levels over 8 nmol/liter, the relationship came to a plateau. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that different hormonal mechanisms may regulate sexual functioning (T) vs. the psychological aspects (E2) of male sexual behavior. Moreover, there was a T threshold for overall sexual function such that at levels greater than 8 nmol/liter the relationship between T and sexual function did not become stronger.
Authors: Glenn R Cunningham; Alisa J Stephens-Shields; Raymond C Rosen; Christina Wang; Shalender Bhasin; Alvin M Matsumoto; J Kellogg Parsons; Thomas M Gill; Mark E Molitch; John T Farrar; David Cella; Elizabeth Barrett-Connor; Jane A Cauley; Denise Cifelli; Jill P Crandall; Kristine E Ensrud; Laura Gallagher; Bret Zeldow; Cora E Lewis; Marco Pahor; Ronald S Swerdloff; Xiaoling Hou; Stephen Anton; Shehzad Basaria; Susan J Diem; Vafa Tabatabaie; Susan S Ellenberg; Peter J Snyder Journal: J Clin Endocrinol Metab Date: 2016-06-29 Impact factor: 5.958
Authors: Glenn R Cunningham; Alisa J Stephens-Shields; Raymond C Rosen; Christina Wang; Susan S Ellenberg; Alvin M Matsumoto; Shalender Bhasin; Mark E Molitch; John T Farrar; David Cella; Elizabeth Barrett-Connor; Jane A Cauley; Denise Cifelli; Jill P Crandall; Kristine E Ensrud; Laura Fluharty; Thomas M Gill; Cora E Lewis; Marco Pahor; Susan M Resnick; Thomas W Storer; Ronald S Swerdloff; Stephen Anton; Shehzad Basaria; Susan Diem; Vafa Tabatabaie; Xiaoling Hou; Peter J Snyder Journal: J Clin Endocrinol Metab Date: 2014-12-30 Impact factor: 5.958