open access

Vol 70, No 1 (2019)
Original paper
Submitted: 2018-07-09
Accepted: 2018-07-21
Published online: 2018-09-27
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Sexual function and depressive symptoms in men with overt hyperthyroidism

Robert Krysiak1, Bogdan Marek23, Bogusław Okopień1
·
Pubmed: 30307028
·
Endokrynol Pol 2019;70(1):64-71.
Affiliations
  1. Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
  2. Division of Pathophysiology, Department of Pathophysiology and Endocrinology, Medical University of Silesia, Zabrze, Poland
  3. Endocrinological Ward, Third Provincial Hospital, Rybnik, Poland

open access

Vol 70, No 1 (2019)
Original Paper
Submitted: 2018-07-09
Accepted: 2018-07-21
Published online: 2018-09-27

Abstract

Introduction: Although hyperthyroidism is characterised by female predominance, its presence may lead to the development of numerous complications in both sexes. This study was aimed at investigating sexual function and depressive symptoms in men with overt hyperthyroidism of autoimmune and non-autoimmune origin.

Material and methods: The study population consisted of three age-matched groups: men with overt hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease (group A; n = 20), men with overt hyperthyroidism and toxic multinodular goitre or toxic adenoma (group B; n = 21), and men with normal thyroid function (group C; n = 23). As well as measuring serum hormone levels and antibody titres, and determining calculated parameters of thyroid homeostasis, all included patients filled in questionnaires evaluating sexual function (International Index of Erectile
Function-15: IIEF-15) and assessing the presence and severity of depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition – BDI-II).

Results: Compared with control subjects, men with overt hyperthyroidism obtained lower scores for erectile function, intercourse satisfaction, orgasmic function and overall satisfaction. Scores for erectile function, orgasmic function, and sexual desire differed between both groups of men with thyroid hyperfunction and inversely correlated with thyrotropin receptor antibody titres. The BDI-II score was higher in patients with Graves’ disease than in men with normal thyroid function.

Conclusions: The obtained results indicate that overt hyperthyroidism in men causes multidimensional impairment of sexual function, which is particularly pronounced if excessive hormone production results from Graves’ disease. 

Abstract

Introduction: Although hyperthyroidism is characterised by female predominance, its presence may lead to the development of numerous complications in both sexes. This study was aimed at investigating sexual function and depressive symptoms in men with overt hyperthyroidism of autoimmune and non-autoimmune origin.

Material and methods: The study population consisted of three age-matched groups: men with overt hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease (group A; n = 20), men with overt hyperthyroidism and toxic multinodular goitre or toxic adenoma (group B; n = 21), and men with normal thyroid function (group C; n = 23). As well as measuring serum hormone levels and antibody titres, and determining calculated parameters of thyroid homeostasis, all included patients filled in questionnaires evaluating sexual function (International Index of Erectile
Function-15: IIEF-15) and assessing the presence and severity of depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition – BDI-II).

Results: Compared with control subjects, men with overt hyperthyroidism obtained lower scores for erectile function, intercourse satisfaction, orgasmic function and overall satisfaction. Scores for erectile function, orgasmic function, and sexual desire differed between both groups of men with thyroid hyperfunction and inversely correlated with thyrotropin receptor antibody titres. The BDI-II score was higher in patients with Graves’ disease than in men with normal thyroid function.

Conclusions: The obtained results indicate that overt hyperthyroidism in men causes multidimensional impairment of sexual function, which is particularly pronounced if excessive hormone production results from Graves’ disease. 

Get Citation

Keywords

depressive symptoms; Graves’ disease; hyperthyroidism; sexual functioning; thyroid nodules

About this article
Title

Sexual function and depressive symptoms in men with overt hyperthyroidism

Journal

Endokrynologia Polska

Issue

Vol 70, No 1 (2019)

Article type

Original paper

Pages

64-71

Published online

2018-09-27

Page views

3040

Article views/downloads

1427

DOI

10.5603/EP.a2018.0069

Pubmed

30307028

Bibliographic record

Endokrynol Pol 2019;70(1):64-71.

Keywords

depressive symptoms
Graves’ disease
hyperthyroidism
sexual functioning
thyroid nodules

Authors

Robert Krysiak
Bogdan Marek
Bogusław Okopień

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