Relationship between sexual function, body mass index and levels of sex steroid hormones in young men.

INTRODUCTION: In older men, sexual disorders may be the result of a decrease in testosterone and an increase in sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) serum levels. Although obesity may enhance the decline of testosterone, it is also the cause of metabolic disorders, which are additional risk factors of erectile dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether elevated body weight is associated with decreased serum testosterone concentrations and reduced sexual function in young men. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data on general health, medication, depressive symptomatology and sexual life was obtained from 136 men aged 20-49 years. Blood levels of LH, total testosterone (TT), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), oestradiol, SHBG, total cholesterol, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides were determined. Body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR) and free testosterone index (FTI) were calculated. RESULTS: A significantly reduced occurrence of sexual fantasies, morning erections and erectile function scores was observed in the oldest group compared to the youngest men with normal BMI, although orgasmic function was unchanged. A significant decrease in TT serum levels was observed in obese 30-year-olds compared to men with normal BMI, while in obese 40-year-olds decreased LH and SHBG levels were also found. No differences in the levels of lipids and sexual achievements were found among men with different BMI. However, erectile function and morning erections significantly negatively correlated with age, BMI and WHR, and positively with FTI, but not with other studied hormones and lipids. CONCLUSIONS: In young men, obesity can lead to a deterioration of erectile function as a result of lower testosterone levels as the only reason.

[High risk of atherosclerosis in men aged 20-39 from Lodz agglomeration]. / Wysokie ryzyko wystapienia miazdzycy u mezczyzn w wieku 20-39 lat z aglomeracji lódzkiej.

THE AIM OF THE STUDY: To estimate the incidence of atherosclerosis risk factors in young men of Lodz city because of the highest in Poland fatality rate of circulatory system diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Anamnestic data on actual diseases, smoking, alcohol drinking and physical activity were achieved from 80 men, volunteers aged 20-39 years. Body weight and height, waist and hip circumference and arterial blood pressure were measured. Blood levels of lipids: total cholesterol (TCh), its fractions LDL, and HDL (LDL-Ch, HDL-Ch) ,and triglicerydes (TG), glucose, albumins, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), FSH, LH, total testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) and estradiol were determined. Calculated were body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR), free testosterone index (FTI), free and bioactive testosterone. RESULTS: At least 3 atherosclerosis risk factors were simultaneously found in 33.7% of men, of which 22.7% were 20-29-year-old and 47.2% 30-39-year-old subjects. Elevated values of TG were found in 16.2% of men, TCh in 13.7%, LDL-Ch in 7.5% and decreased values of HDL-Ch in 6.2%. Positive significant correlations were found between WHR and TCh (R = 0.39; p = 0.01), LDL-Ch (R = 0.38; p = 0.02), TG (R = 0.41; p = 0.009). WHR negatively correlated with HDL-Ch (R = -0.31; p = 0.04). 50% of men had the excessive body weight. Obese men had abdominal type of obesity in 90%. As many as 62% of subjects had excessive systolic and 21% excessive diastolic arterial blood pressure. Blood pressure positively correlated with body weight (R = 0.51; p < 0.001), BMI (R = 0.51; p < 0.001), waist circumference (R = 0.55; p < 0.001) and WHR (R = 0.44; p < 0.001). In the whole group 35% of subjects led sitting life style and did not report any other physical activity. 57.5% of men were present or past smokers. 44% of men consumed alcohol everyday or almost everyday. FTI diminished with the advancing age, what was connected with the increase in SHBG blood concentration. There were no changes in total, free or bioactive testosterone, or LH and FSH concentrations with the age. Correlations between androgens and lipid profiles were not found. Estradiol blood levels negatively correlated with TG (R = -0.35; p = 0.03) and was significantly lower in 30-39-year-old men than in younger (20-29). CONCLUSION: The results indicate considerably higher incidence of atherosclerosis risk factors in young men, citizens of Lodz agglomeration, than it was found before for other regions of Poland. This phenomenon increases with the advancing age already between 20 and 39 years. Implementation of intensive prophylactic actions may prevent it.