open access
Relationship between sexual function, body mass index and levels of sex steroid hormones in young men
open access
Abstract
Introduction: In older men, sexual disorders may be the result of a decrease in testosterone and an increase in sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) serum levels. Although obesity may enhance the decline of testosterone, it is also the cause of metabolic disorders, which are additional risk factors of erectile dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether elevated body weight is associated with decreased serum testosterone concentrations and reduced sexual function in young men.
Material and methods: Data on general health, medication, depressive symptomatology and sexual life was obtained from 136 men aged 20–49 years. Blood levels of LH, total testosterone (TT), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), oestradiol, SHBG, total cholesterol, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides were determined. Body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR) and free testosterone index (FTI) were calculated.
Results: A significantly reduced occurrence of sexual fantasies, morning erections and erectile function scores was observed in the oldest group compared to the youngest men with normal BMI, although orgasmic function was unchanged. A significant decrease in TT serum levels was observed in obese 30-year-olds compared to men with normal BMI, while in obese 40-year-olds decreased LH and SHBG levelswere also found. No differences in the levels of lipids and sexual achievements were found among men with different BMI. However, erectile function and morning erections significantly negatively correlated with age, BMI and WHR, and positively with FTI, but not with other studied hormones and lipids.
Conclusions: In young men, obesity can lead to a deterioration of erectile function as a result of lower testosterone levels as the only reason.
Abstract
Introduction: In older men, sexual disorders may be the result of a decrease in testosterone and an increase in sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) serum levels. Although obesity may enhance the decline of testosterone, it is also the cause of metabolic disorders, which are additional risk factors of erectile dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether elevated body weight is associated with decreased serum testosterone concentrations and reduced sexual function in young men.
Material and methods: Data on general health, medication, depressive symptomatology and sexual life was obtained from 136 men aged 20–49 years. Blood levels of LH, total testosterone (TT), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), oestradiol, SHBG, total cholesterol, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides were determined. Body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR) and free testosterone index (FTI) were calculated.
Results: A significantly reduced occurrence of sexual fantasies, morning erections and erectile function scores was observed in the oldest group compared to the youngest men with normal BMI, although orgasmic function was unchanged. A significant decrease in TT serum levels was observed in obese 30-year-olds compared to men with normal BMI, while in obese 40-year-olds decreased LH and SHBG levelswere also found. No differences in the levels of lipids and sexual achievements were found among men with different BMI. However, erectile function and morning erections significantly negatively correlated with age, BMI and WHR, and positively with FTI, but not with other studied hormones and lipids.
Conclusions: In young men, obesity can lead to a deterioration of erectile function as a result of lower testosterone levels as the only reason.
Keywords
men; sexual function; testosterone; erectile dysfunction; obesity
About this articleTitle
Relationship between sexual function, body mass index and levels of sex steroid hormones in young men
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original paper
Pages
203-209
Published online
2014-06-27
Page views
2731
Article views/downloads
3129
DOI
10.5603/EP.2014.0028
Bibliographic record
Endokrynol Pol 2014;65(3):203-209.
Keywords
men
sexual function
testosterone
erectile dysfunction
obesity
Authors
Sylwia Jastrzębska
Renata Walczak-Jędrzejowska
Edyta Kramek
Katarzyna Marchlewska
Elżbieta Oszukowska
Eliza Filipiak
Krzysztof Kula
Jolanta Słowikowska-Hilczer
