Association between Sex Hormones and Erectile Dysfunction in Men without Hypogonadism

Abstract

In addition to testosterone, various endocrine hormones, such as dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and estradiol, may be involved in erectile function. However, the role of these sex hormones in the erectile function of men without hypogonadism remains unclear. This cross-sectional study included 398 community-dwelling men without hypogonadism. The participants were categorized into the non-ED and ED groups. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the relationship between ED and serum sex hormone levels, including total testosterone, DHEA-S, estradiol, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and prolactin. Among the 398 men, 66 (17%) and 332 (83%) were categorized into the non-ED and ED groups, respectively. In the multivariable analyses, serum DHEA-S and estradiol levels were significantly associated with ED (odds ratio [OR]: 0.996, P = 0.030; OR: 1.082, P = 0.002; respectively), whereas serum total testosterone, LH, FSH, and prolactin levels did not demonstrate significant association. After adjusting for age, none of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, serum plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels, and skin advanced glycation end-products levels demonstrated significant correlation with serum DHEA-S and estradiol levels. In conclusion, lower testosterone levels did not affect ED in men with normal testosterone levels, whereas serum DHEA-S and estradiol levels were significantly associated with ED.