Men's health: sexual dysfunction, physical, and psychological healthis there a link?
Men’s Health: Sexual Dysfunction, Physical, and Psychological Health—Is There a Link?jsm_2582663.671
Hui Meng Tan, FRCS,*† Seng Fah Tong, MMed(Fam Med),‡ and Christopher C.K. Ho, FICS§
*Sime Darby Medical Centre, Selangor, Malaysia; †Medical Research & Development Unit, Faculty of Medicine,University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; ‡Department of Family Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan MalaysiaMedical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; §Department of Surgery, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre,Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
A B S T R A C T Introduction. Sexual dysfunction in men, such as erectile dysfunction, hypogonadism, and premature ejaculation, generates considerable attention. Its association with physical and psychological health is an issue which should be addressed seriously. Aim. A review of the literature pertaining to the correlation between sexual dysfunction and physical and psycho- logical health. Methods. PubMed search for relevant publications on the association between sexual dysfunction in men and physical and psychological health. Main Outcome Measure. Clinical and epidemiological evidence that demonstrates the association between sexual dysfunction in men and physical and psychological health. Results. Sexual dysfunction, i.e., erectile dysfunction, hypogonadism, and premature ejaculation, has been shown to be associated with physical and psychological health. There is a strong correlation between sexual dysfunction and cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, quality of life, and depression. Conclusion. The association between men’s sexual dysfunction and physical and psychological health is real and proven. Therefore, it should not be taken lightly but instead treated as a life-threatening medical problem. Tan HM, Tong SF, and Ho CCK. Men’s health: Sexual dysfunction, physical, and psychological health—Is there a link? J Sex Med 2012;9:663–671. Key Words. Health; Physical; Psychological; Sexual Dysfunction Introduction
About 100 million men worldwide are affected
by erectile dysfunction, and this is expected to
S exual health is defined as a state of physical, increase to 322 million in 2025 [2]. Similarly,
men’s serum testosterone decline progressively
related to sexuality. It is not merely an absence of
after the age of 40 [3–5]. The prevalence of adult
disease, dysfunction, or infirmity, and it requires a
males with low serum testosterone (total testoster-
positive and respectful approach to sexuality and
one <10.4 nmol/L or 300 ng/dL) ranges from
sexual relationship [1]. Sexual dysfunction in men
10–25% [6]. However, prevalence of symptomatic
encompasses erectile dysfunction, testosterone
androgen deficiency in adult male is around 10%
deficiency (hypogonadism), and ejaculatory disor-
[7]. In the Global Study of Sexual Attitudes and
ders, particularly premature ejaculation. With
Behaviors, which surveyed the various aspects of
aging of the world population, the prevalence of
sexual health among adults aged 40–80 years in 29
sexual dysfunction, particularly erectile dysfunc-
countries, the overall prevalence rate for prema-
tion, is projected to increase markedly.
2011 International Society for Sexual Medicine
Despite the availability of effective treatment
been shown to have significant adverse effects on
for erectile dysfunction, testosterone deficiency,
both physical and mental health dimension of
and premature ejaculation, a large group of men
affected by sexual dysfunction are not receivingappropriate treatment [8]. It might be due to the
Sexual Dysfunction and Physical Health
skepticism of the relationship between sexual dys-function and their overall health. In this review, we
Many recent publications have clearly demon-
would like to explore the current evidence for the
strated that physical health is associated with
relationship between psychological and physical
sexual health. Numerous epidemiological studies
have revealed a strong correlation between erectiledysfunction and cardiovascular risk factors thatinclude hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, andobesity [17–24].
Consistently, high prevalence of erectile dys-
We conducted a literature search using PubMed
function has been reported in men with comor-
from 1970 to 2010. The following Medical Subject
bidities like cardiovascular disease, hypertension,
Heading terms were used: “sexual dysfunction,”
diabetes, and stroke [25–29]. Similarly, men with
erectile dysfunction are more likely to report
“men” or “male;” and “quality of life” or “mental
having comorbid medical conditions [30–32]. In
health” or “chronic disease” or “mortality” or
the original Men’s Attitudes to Life Events and
“morbidity” or “epidemiology”. This was supple-
Sexuality (MALES) and Asian MALES studies, the
mented by key words search using the following
prevalence for cardiovascular disease and diabetes
terms and their synonyms: “sexual health,” “test-
were two to three times higher in men with erec-
osterone deficiency,” “cardiovascular risk,” “non
tile dysfunction compared with men without erec-
communicable disease,” “diabetes,” “hyperten-
sion,” “obesity,” and “stroke”. Inclusion criteria
Current knowledge supports the notion that
for article selection were: articles in English,
erectile dysfunction is a sentinel marker for cardio-
studies (of any design) on sexual dysfunction in
vascular disease and stroke [26,33–40]. This is
men, and publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
attributed mainly to shared pathophysiological
The abstracts and full text of the articles, identified
mechanism and arterial occlusion [33,37,41–46]
from the initial search, were reviewed by two
and common risk factors [47–51]. It is believed that
authors independently, who subsequently reached
progressive occlusive disease should manifest early
a consensus on adding each included article. The
in smaller vessels in the penile bed before involving
reference lists of identified articles were reviewed
larger coronary vessels [20,37,38]. Further, the
manually for additional relevant articles. Addi-
penile arteries are end arteries and are thus less able
tional studies, recommended by expert peer
to compensate for decrease blood flow as does in
the heart and brain. As such, patients with a recentonset of erectile dysfunction often do not complainof symptoms of cardiovascular disease, and patientswith cardiovascular disease commonly give a
Sexual Dysfunction and Quality of Life (QoL)
history of preceding erectile dysfunction [20].
Many studies have shown that sexual dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction can therefore be considered an
and QoL are closely interrelated [9–15]. Men
early marker for cardiovascular risk and preclinical
bothered by sexual problem were more likely to
have lower overall life satisfaction scores, mental
Many studies have revealed that obesity, i.e.,
health QoL scores, and vitality QoL scores. Per-
high body mass index was associated with preva-
ceived physical health was also found to be inde-
lence and progression of erectile dysfunction, indi-
pendently associated with sexual satisfaction and
various sexual problems. Specifically, erectile dys-
cardiovascular disease [53,54]. Further, a study on
function is the main male sexual problem associ-
the intervention of obese men aged 33–55 years
revealed that reduction of Ն10% of baseline body
Sexual problems have also been attributed to
weight over 2 years correlated with a significant
other physical, clinical, and psychological factors
improvement in erectile function, resulting in
[10,16]. Patients with erectile dysfunction had
reduction of cardiovascular risk [55]. Sexual Dysfunction, Physical and Psychological Health in Men
The pioneering work of Thompson et al.
As 66% of sudden cardiac deaths and 20% of
showed prospectively a group of asymptomatic,
nonsudden cardiac deaths occur in patients
healthy men who had, or developed, erectile dys-
without a history of coronary artery disease, and
function and then subsequently developed cardio-
the fact that 70% of all erectile dysfunction is
vascular events [21]. This strong association
vascular in origin, physicians should pay particular
between erectile dysfunction and subsequent
attention to all men presenting with erectile dys-
development of cardiovascular events and risk of
function [62,63]. Furthermore, a large scale study
cardiovascular mortality is further confirmed by
of 25,650 men revealed a 75% increase risk of
the Olmsted County Study and the Massachusetts
peripheral vascular disease in men with preexisting
Male Aging Study (MMAS) cohort study [56,57].
erectile dysfunction [64]. Often, the appearance of
Erectile dysfunction was also shown to predict
erectile dysfunction precedes symptomatic cardio-
multiple end points of various adverse cardiac
vascular diseases by 1 to 5 years [21]. Educating
events in both low [21,58] and high [59,60] cardio-
and impressing men on the link between erectile
vascular risk population. The Thompson Prostate
dysfunction and cardiometabolic disease will moti-
Cancer Prevention Trial study showed that in the
vate men to adhere to lifestyle modifications in
40–69 years age group, men with erectile dysfunc-
primary and secondary prevention of the diseases.
tion have about a twofold greater risk of cardio-
Current knowledge has clearly shown the close
vascular disease than men without erectile
association between erectile dysfunction and car-
dysfunction [21]. The Olmsted Country Study on
diometabolic disease and risk factors. This link is
community dwelling men showed that erectile
particularly strong for men above 50 years of age
dysfunction was associated with about 80% higher
and with existing cardiovascular risk factors. There
risk of subsequent coronary artery disease, espe-
is still a large population of younger and healthy
cially in the younger age group [56].
men with symptoms suggestive of organic erectile
In the MMAS prospective study that followed
dysfunction of long duration and yet current car-
40–70 year old men for 15 years, erectile dysfunc-
diovascular assessments do not show any abnor-
tion was positively associated with all causes of
malities [65]. There is definitely a need to conduct
mortality and cardiovascular mortality in age and
studies to detect subtle or early abnormalities of
multivariate adjusted models [57]. Men with erec-
the penile vasculature both hemodynamically and
tile dysfunction had a 26% higher risk of all-cause
biochemically. Confirmation of any physiological
mortality and a 43% higher risk of death due to
or biochemical disarrangement is vital to instill
cardiovascular disease compared with men without
prophylactic or preventive measures.
erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction was
The other common conditions affecting men’s
found to be comparable with a number of conven-
sexual health are testosterone deficiency and pre-
tional risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes,
mature ejaculation. Testosterone deficiency is a
and self-assessment of health [57]. In this
clinical and biochemical syndrome, frequently
study, erectile dysfunction was however not asso-
associated with age and comorbidities. It may
ciated with other causes of mortality like cancer
affect the function of many bodily systems result-
ing in significant decline in the QoL including
The findings from these three key studies have
major clinical and public health implications espe-
The clinical manifestations of testosterone defi-
cially in the promotion of men’s health. The
ciency are variable. Sexual dysfunctions like hypo-
advent of effective oral medications for treatment
active sexual desire, erectile dysfunction, and
of erectile dysfunction has prompted a huge popu-
delayed ejaculations are prominent presenting
lation of men to seek treatment, providing the
symptoms [67]. Other presenting features that
primary care physicians an opportunity to predict,
affect physical health and QoL include visceral
detect, and treat men for cardiometabolic disease
obesity, diminished muscle mass, muscle strength,
bone mineral density, and alterations in spatial
reported prevalence of silent coronary artery
cognitions and mood [66]. Observational studies,
disease in patients with erectile dysfunction,
both cross-sectional and prospective cohort
ranged between 8% and 56% [20,60]. This obser-
studies, have revealed that testosterone deficiency
vation is also supported by a study by Mulhall et al.
is frequently associated with metabolic diseases
showing men with vasculogenic erectile dysfunc-
[68–80]. Low testosterone is significantly associ-
tion had between six- to tenfold increased inci-
ated with obesity (relative risk 2.38), type 2 diabe-
dences of abnormal stress echocardiogram [61].
tes (relative risk 2.1), metabolic syndrome and its
components, and insulin resistance [68–70]. The
Sexual Dysfunction and Psychological Health
triad consisting of erectile dysfunction, metabolicsyndrome, and testosterone deficiency is very
Besides QoL and physical health, sexual dysfunc-
prevalent and commonly reported [71–73]. Many
tion is also related to psychological health.
cohort studies have shown that low testosterone
Depression is often seen in men with sexual dys-
levels predict type 2 diabetes and metabolic syn-
function. In a study in Malaysia, men with erectile
drome. Similarly, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and
dysfunction had significantly higher geriatric
metabolic syndrome predict subsequent testoster-
depression scores compared with men without
one deficiency [77–80]. A meta-analysis by Isidori
erectile dysfunction; i.e., a higher proportion of
and colleagues revealed favorable results of test-
men with erectile dysfunction suffered from
osterone replacement therapy with respect to
depression [94]. In Japan, it was shown that the
decline in total fat mass and improvement in lean
odds ratio for an association between erectile dys-
function and depression was 2.02 [95]. In a cross-
Testosterone has been widely accepted as detri-
national study between Brazil, Italy, Japan, and
mental to the cardiovascular system. However,
Malaysia, depression was shown to be associated
numerous epidemiological studies have suggested
with erectile dysfunction in a graded manner, and
otherwise [82]. Nearly all epidemiological studies
men with erectile dysfunction were 2.09 times
have revealed that high testosterone is not associ-
more likely to have depression [96].
ated with cardiovascular disease [82]. The majority
In the study by Araujo et al., the estimated odds
of studies have shown that testosterone level is
ratio for erectile dysfunction was 1.82 in the pres-
inversely related to most cardiovascular risk
ence of depressive symptoms. What was more
factors and degree of atherosclerosis [82]. A major-
important was that they showed that this relation-
ity of cohort studies revealed no correlation
ship between depressive symptoms and erectile
between testosterone levels and subsequent car-
dysfunction was independent of important aging
diovascular morbidity or mortality [82]. However,
and para-aging confounders, such as demographic,
at least three recent studies have suggested signifi-
anthropometric and lifestyle factors, health status,
cant correlations between low testosterone levels
medication use, and hormones [97]. Besides
and either cardiovascular or all-cause mortalities
depression itself, antidepressant medication use
[83–85]. Of concern to us are sporadic cohort
also may cause erectile dysfunction. Conversely, it
studies that have reported weak but definite cor-
has also been shown that erectile dysfunction inde-
relation between androgen levels and cardiovascu-
pendently may cause or exacerbate depressive
lar mortality [86–88]. More long-term, large scale,
prospective randomized controlled trials of test-
The diagnosis of depression among erectile
osterone therapy looking at cardiovascular param-
dysfunction patients is affected by the manner by
eters and mortalities are urgently needed.
which it is diagnosed. When Strand et al. used
Premature ejaculation, which affects 30% of men
categorical diagnosis such as the Diagnostic and
in all age groups, is still a very stigmatized and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV),
distressing medical condition. Premature ejacula-
only a small number of erectile dysfunction
tion is quoted as the most common sexual problem,
patients were noted to be depressed. However,
and it is threefold more prevalent than erectile dys-
when measured dimensionally using the Brief
function in men below 40 years of age [10]. Current
Symptom Inventory, significant elevations of
knowledge on premature ejaculation as a genuine
depression and other dysphoric affects were
organic sexual dysfunction related to serotonin dys-
revealed. This demonstrates an important fact that
regulation [89,90] and its association with medical
men with erectile dysfunction are affectively dis-
conditions like prostatitis, chronic pelvic pain syn-
tressed but infrequently meet the criteria for cat-
drome, varicocoele, and thyroid disease [91–93]
provide both physicians and patients, especially in
Hypogonadism is also associated with depres-
the younger age group, an excellent platform to
sion. Levels of testosterone have been shown to be
engage in health consultation and promotions. The
lower in depressed patients than in nondepressed
advent of effective oral medication, specifically
individuals [100–104]. This relationship between
designed for premature ejaculation, and the dis-
low levels of testosterone and depression is more
semination of awareness of this common distressing
obvious in aging men. Elderly men who have
sexual problems will provide a legitimate opportu-
depression or dysthymic disorder appear to have
nity for men to seek medical consultation.
lower testosterone levels compared with nonde-
Sexual Dysfunction, Physical and Psychological Health in Men
pressed elderly men [105–112]. Decreased test-
cians should focus on age-specific clinical evalua-
osterone levels were also seen in patients with
tion and provide the appropriate preventive or
schizophrenia who present with a depressive
episode [113–115]. In a study in Asia, 30% of the
There is a need for screening for all sexual dys-
function men for their physical as well as psycho-
moderate depression whereas 9.37% had severe
logical health. Public health authorities also have a
depression [116]. This relationship between
role in creating awareness by disseminating knowl-
hypogonadism and depression is further strength-
edge on this issue. Men’s sexual health across all
ened by a systematic review and meta-analysis that
age groups is indeed intimately related to men’s
concluded testosterone therapy may have an anti-
depressant effect in depressed patients, especially
There is also a need for further research on
the association of cardiovascular risks among
Serum testosterone level in the body is also
young, healthy men with symptoms of erectile
greatly influenced by an individual’s emotional
dysfunction. Research to detect subtle or early
state. A sustained reduction in testosterone secre-
abnormalities of the penile vasculature both hemo-
tion can occur when faced with life stresses such as
dynamically and biochemically will help in the for-
those caused by work or relationships. Positive
mulation of prophylactic and preventive measures.
emotional states on the other hand, will increase
Besides that, more robust, long-term, large scale,
testosterone production [118]. Sleep deprivation
prospective randomized controlled trials of test-
has also been shown to cause low testosterone
osterone therapy looking at cardiovascular param-
eters and mortalities are urgently needed to
For premature ejaculation, the association with
confirm the benefits and safety of testosterone
mental health was confirmed in a recent study
therapy. The association between premature ejacu-
from Malaysia, where the Hospital Anxiety and
lation and physical health is another area that needs
Depression Scale (HADS) was used to measure the
psychological impact. In this study, the odds ofhaving anxiety and depression among men with
Corresponding Author: Christopher C.K. Ho, FICS,
premature ejaculation were 2.83 (95% CI = 1.45–
5.54) and 2.08 (95% CI = 0.97–4.44), respectively.
Malaysia Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latif, BandarTun Razak, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia.
It was also noted that the higher the HADS score,
Tel: +60391456202; Fax: +60391456684; E-mail:
the higher was the prevalence of premature ejacu-
lation. The prevalence of premature ejaculationwas 13.6%, 41.5%, and 68.6% in those with low
(0–7), medium (8–10), or high (>11) HADS scores,respectively [120]. Statement of Authorship (a) Conception and Design Conclusion
Awareness of erectile dysfunction, testosterone
(b) Acquisition of Data
increased substantially, and discussion on these
(c) Analysis and Interpretation of Data
issues between patients and health professionals is
more open, less stigmatized, and easier to initiate,especially if the discussion is contextualized and
confined to serious medical diseases. Men’s sexual
(a) Drafting the Article
dysfunction including testosterone deficiency syn-
drome should be highlighted as not just QoL but
(b) Revising It for Intellectual Content
Primary care physicians should be aware of the
various sexual dysfunction issues and their rela-
tionship to various life-threatening medical condi-
(a) Final Approval of the Completed Article
Hui Meng Tan; Christopher C.K. Ho; Seng Fah
maintenance of men’s health, the front line physi-
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Introduction It has been estimated that approximately one of five receptors in the brain. This medication may increase effect. With some benzodiazepines that last longer in people in this country is depressed at any given time. risk of seizures in some people. Wellbutrin is known your body withdrawal symptoms and rebound anxiety This guide is designed to help you understand some of The
ESUR Guidelines on Contrast Media version 6.0 ESUR Guidelines on Contrast Media European Society of Urogenital Radiology version 6.0 It is a great honor for the Contrast Media Safety Committee of the European So-ciety of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) to present version 6.0 of its Contrast Media Guidelines. Since 1996 the intention of the Committee has been to cover all the safety