Multicenter Study on the Prevalence of Sexual Symptoms in Male Hypo- and Hyperthyroid Patients

Abstract

In summary, most patients with thyroid hormone disorders experience some sexual dysfunctions, which can be reversed by normalizing thyroid hormone levels. Despite the associated changes in sex hormone levels, the high prevalence of ejaculatory disorders and their prompt reversibility suggest a direct involvement of thyroid hormones in the physiology of ejaculation.

Testosterone and Erectile Function: From Basic Research to a New Clinical Paradigm for Managing Men with Androgen Insufficiency and Erectile Dysfunction

“…Thyroid-stimulating hormone: Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism have been shown to adversely affect sexual function [126,127]. It is likely that androgen therapy would not be successful until thyroid function has been normalized.…”

“…In men diagnosed with abnormalities in both thyroid function and sexual function (decreased sexual desire, ED, premature or delayed ejaculation), treatment with methimazole (for hyperthyroidism) or thyroxine (for hypothyroidism) for 8 wk without concomitant PDE5 inhibitor therapy resulted in an improvement in sexual function [126]. In animal studies, hypothyroidism resulted in autonomic neuropathy and endothelial dysfunction, adversely influencing the release or synthesis of NO from nitrergic nerves and endothelium [127].…”

Re: The Relationship Between Premature Ejaculation and Hyperthyroidism

“…In a consecutive series of 755 men presenting with sexual dysfunction, a 2-fold greater prevalence of hyperthyroidism was evident among men with PE [1]. According to this finding, Carani et al [2] demonstrated in a small, multicenter, prospective study that most (50%) hyperthyroid patients have PE. This prevalence was substantially reduced (15%) by treating the underlying disease, with a consequent doubling of ejaculatory latency.…”

“…These findings suggest a direct role for thyroid hormones in decreasing ejaculation latency that is independent from hyperthyroidism-induced anxiety. Furthermore, Carani et al [2] showed that medical treatment of the opposite state, hypothyroidism, resulted in a 2-fold decrease in ejaculatory latency and a reduction in delayed ejaculation. Hence, the view that thyroid hormones regulate not only the ankle reflex but also the ejaculatory reflex is consistently emerging [4].…”

Hyperthyroidism and erectile dysfunction: a population-based case—control study

“…3,4 Furthermore, one recent study has demonstrated that thyroid hormone nuclear receptors in the penis provide the biological basis for the direct action of thyroid hormones on this organ and suggested that physicians should be advised to investigate sexual function in men with thyroid disorders. 5 Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse and is the most common sexual problem among aging male subjects. 6,7 The Massachusetts Male Aging Study reported that 52% of their community-based survey of men aged between 40 and 70 years old suffered from some degree of ED.…”