Hypogonadism linked to statin use.

Statin therapy may induce primary hypogonadism and should be considered a possible confounding factor when evaluating testosterone levels in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED), according to Italian researchers.

Giorvanni Corona, MD, of the University of Florence, and colleagues studied 3,484 men with ED, of whom 244 (7%) were being treated with statins. After adjusting for potential confounders such as BMI and cardiovascular (CV) risk, both total and free testosterone levels were significantly lower in men taking statins than in those not taking the medications, the researchers reported in the Journal of Sexual Medicine (2010; published online ahead of print). In addition, statin use was associated with reduced testis volume and a higher prevalence of hypogonadism-related signs and symptoms. Statin users had significantly higher levels of follicle-stimulating hormone and lower prolactin levels.

Statins work by inhibiting an enzyme involved in synthesis of cholesterol, which in turn would inhibit the synthesis of steroids.

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