More Testosterone is Good for Erectile Dysfunction

For many men who suffer from erectile dysfunction, the class of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors is a God send.  No more pumps.  No more injections.  No more intra-urethral suppositories.  Discrete, relatively quick acting & long lasting (latter two depending upon the drug).  However, not all men respond adequately (if at all) to this miracle drug.

It turns out that this lack of response may be due to (relatively) low levels of testosterone.  In a small study published online last month, the authors (supported by the manufacturers naturally) gave testosterone-naive patients Testim brand of topical testosterone or switched those on non-Testim testosterone to Testim w/resultant improvement in erectile function in both situations in accordance with final testosterone levels (average 500 =/- 248ng/dL).

With that said, we should notice that no controls were performed as this was not a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, but rather an analysis of the manufacturer's patient registry.  So perhaps these hypogonadal non-responders to PDE5 inhibitors might have reported an improvement in their erectile function w/any other form or brand of testosterone.  Or perhaps they just needed to bump their testosterone levels high enough for their individual physiology (given the wide range of levels at study end).

Regardless, I think that it's imperative that when presented w/someone complaining of erectile dysfunction, rather than reflexively reaching for the little blue pill, we take a look at the bigger picture:  overall health, eg diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, depression, etc; medication side effects, eg blood pressure lowering drugs, antidepressants, etc; mental & emotional factors, eg relationship w/partner, family & friends, financial stability or lack thereof, other stressors, etc.   

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