Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #103674

Naomi M. Gades, DVM, MS¹, Ajay Nehra, MD², Debra J. Jacobson, MS³, Michaela E. McGree, BS³, Cynthia J. Girman, DrPH⁴, Michael M. Lieber, MD², and Steven J. Jacobsen, MD, PhD¹. (1) Department of Health Sciences Research, Division of Epidemiology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street S.W., Rochester, MN 55905, 507-284-1053, gades.naomi@mayo.edu, (2) Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street S.W., Rochester, MN 55905, (3) Department of Health Sciences Research, Division of Biostatistics, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street S.W., Rochester, MN 55905, (4) Merck Research Labs, P.O. Box 4, West Point, PA 19486-004

Testosterone replacement therapy is a common treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). Using data from the Olmsted County Study of Urinary Symptoms and Health Status among Men we examined the association between sex hormone levels, erectile function and libido. During 1989-1991, Caucasian men ages 40-79 years were randomly selected from Olmsted County, MN and completed a questionnaire assessing sexual function. During the twelfth-year of follow-up assays were performed for estradiol, testosterone and bioavailable testosterone (BT) levels. Out of 321 men, 237 had a regular sexual partner and androgen measurements at the twelfth year. There was an age-related decrease in BT levels and increase in the estradiol/BT ratio. Age-stratified correlations of erectile function (EF) with BT and estradiol were stronger in men ages 40-59, (r=0.13-0.20) and (r=0.10-0.23) respectively, than in men 60+. Similarly, age-stratified correlations of libido with BT and estradiol were stronger in men ages 40-59, (r=0.18-0.26) and (r=0.12-0.21) respectively, than in men 60+. There were no significant correlations between testosterone and EF for men ages 40-59 or 60+ (r=-0.04-0.13). In contrast, age-stratified correlations between testosterone and libido were strongest in men 60+ (r=0.16-0.20). These cross-sectional results suggest the relationship between sex hormones and EF is confounded by age. Testosterone and EF appeared weakly correlated in all age groups. However, testosterone was correlated with libido in older men. BT and estradiol appeared to be correlated modestly with both EF and libido in younger men. Further investigation is needed to determine if testosterone replacement therapy truly benefits men suffering from ED.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the association between sex steroids, erectile function, and libido.
• Discuss the association between aging, erectile function, and libido.
• Understand the potential impact of aging and sex steroid levels on erectile function and libido.

Keywords: Aging, Sexuality

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.