Anamnestic data on general health and medical conditions were achieved from 136 men (20-49 yrs). Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) questionnaire was used to assess depressive symptomatology. Body weight, height, waist and hip circumference, arterial blood pressure were mea- sured. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), triglicerydes (TG), glucose, SHBG, total testosterone, DHEA-S and estradiol were determined. Calculated were body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR) and free testosterone index (FTI). In men aged 40-49 general health significantly got worse, BMI, WHR, blood pressure increased and mean serum levels of FTI, DHEA-S, estradiol decreased in comparison to younger men. Only in 40-49 age band BDI-II scoring was negatively related with FTI, however, in the whole group there were no significant correlations. Nevertheless, some symptoms of depression were negatively related with LDL-C or HDL-C and positively with TG. Similar relations were found among young men, but not in the middle-aged. Conclusions: Only blood lipids may have influence on emotional well-being in young healthy men. The decreased testosterone level becomes probably the main risk factor for the lower mood in middle-aged men. Atherosclerosis risk factors and general health worsen with the advancing age, but they have no significant effect on psychological situation

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 levels were 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.