Metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and obesity are risk factors for erectile dysfunction (ED), the most commonly treated male sexual dysfunction world-wide. ED may be a marker for metabolic conditions, preceding adverse metabolic events by several years. Healthcare providers encountering ED may therefore wish to screen for cardiovascular disease or metabolic syndrome. Causality and associated mechanisms are difficult to establish as ED and these metabolic conditions also share risk factors such as age, hypertension, diabetes, insulin resistance, smoking, and increased BMI.
As erections are a result of coordination between the endocrine and other systems, the link between ED and metabolic dysfunction is understandable. Low androgens, namely testosterone, and decreased androgen receptors have been linked with sexual dysfunction and increased risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome occurrence. Testosterone levels have also demonstrated negative correlation with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) which is considered a risk factor for adverse cardiovascular events.
The International Conference on Sexual Medicine (ICSM) currently recommends testing fasting blood glucose, lipid levels, and gender-specific hormones in evaluation of men presenting with sexual dysfunction. The evaluation of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis has also been recommended, determining levels of testosterone, free testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, prolactin, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone levels.
Universally accepted guidelines have not yet been established. This Research Topic seeks to further evaluate the connection between erectile dysfunction and metabolic factors or disorders. Articles can include, but are not limited to:
- Metabolic risk factors for erectile dysfunction;
- Clinical suggestions for healthcare providers treating patients presenting with erectile dysfunction and comorbid metabolic disorder(s);
- Assessment of mechanisms simultaneously impacting erectile dysfunction and metabolism;
Metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and obesity are risk factors for erectile dysfunction (ED), the most commonly treated male sexual dysfunction world-wide. ED may be a marker for metabolic conditions, preceding adverse metabolic events by several years. Healthcare providers encountering ED may therefore wish to screen for cardiovascular disease or metabolic syndrome. Causality and associated mechanisms are difficult to establish as ED and these metabolic conditions also share risk factors such as age, hypertension, diabetes, insulin resistance, smoking, and increased BMI.
As erections are a result of coordination between the endocrine and other systems, the link between ED and metabolic dysfunction is understandable. Low androgens, namely testosterone, and decreased androgen receptors have been linked with sexual dysfunction and increased risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome occurrence. Testosterone levels have also demonstrated negative correlation with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) which is considered a risk factor for adverse cardiovascular events.
The International Conference on Sexual Medicine (ICSM) currently recommends testing fasting blood glucose, lipid levels, and gender-specific hormones in evaluation of men presenting with sexual dysfunction. The evaluation of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis has also been recommended, determining levels of testosterone, free testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, prolactin, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone levels.
Universally accepted guidelines have not yet been established. This Research Topic seeks to further evaluate the connection between erectile dysfunction and metabolic factors or disorders. Articles can include, but are not limited to:
- Metabolic risk factors for erectile dysfunction;
- Clinical suggestions for healthcare providers treating patients presenting with erectile dysfunction and comorbid metabolic disorder(s);
- Assessment of mechanisms simultaneously impacting erectile dysfunction and metabolism;
