Hormonal, genetic and metabolic factors predicting sexual function in middle aged men

Sexual dysfunction in men is a common health problem in different age groups. Sex hormones as well as genetic and metabolic factors are the main reasons lead to sexual dysfunction. Testosterone levels decline with age- related symptoms is currently a very important issue and the object of intense studies nowadays. This is called partial androgen deficiency - andropause .Metabolic factors influence also is an integral part of these problems - men with dyslipidemia, increased body mass index ( BMI), waist -hip ratio – more often complain about sexual dysfunction. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between sex hormones, genetic, metabolic factors and male sexual function. There are three objectives of our study: to assess the links between sex hormones and sexual function in middle aged men, to determine the relationship between genetic factors and sexual function in middle aged men and to assess the links between metabolic factors and sexual function in middle aged men. 170 men 48-49 years old took part in the research. Subjects were weighed, calculated BMI, measured at the waist – hips ratio, also venous blood was taken for biochemical research. The Brief Sexual Function Inventory (BSFI) reflecting the sexual function of the last 30 days was used to assess the sexual function of the men. The BSFI consisted of 11 questions divided into 5 sub-classes: sexual desire, erection, ejaculation sexual problems importance and general satisfaction with sexual life The higher amount of scores illustrates better sexual function. Three groups of (CAG)n nucleotides were distinguished with regard to nucleotides length: short ≤ 20 (27,6 %), the average length 21 – 24 (52,9 %) and long ≥ 25 (19,4 %). Men in group with short (CAG)n nucleotides length had the best BSFI sub-scales results. Positive correlation was found between testosterone, DHEA-S and erection sub-scale results, also positive correlation was found between DHEA-S and ejaculation sub-scale. Also was was found a positive correlation between the importance of sexual function sub-scale scores and results of total cholesterol and LDL. No statistically significant relation between BSFI sub-scales and lipids,anthropometric data was determined. Spearman and Kruskal - Wallis tests were applied for statistical analysi