International journal of impotence research
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Int. J. Impot. Res. · Jul 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialTransdermal testosterone gel increases serum testosterone levels in hypogonadal men in Taiwan with improvements in sexual function.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to (1) evaluate efficacy and safety of transdermal testosterone gel (AndroGel) for hypogonadal men in Taiwan, and (2) observe improvements in sexual function through international index of erectile function (IIEF) scores. Eligible hypogonadal men were randomized to receive 50 mg/day transdermal testosterone gel (TTG) or placebo for 3 months. Primary end point was change from baseline in total testosterone (TT) and free testosterone (FT). ⋯ TTG group IIEF scores were significantly increased at month 3 (P=0.01), compared with a decline in placebo scores. No drug-related AEs occurred in the TTG group; the placebo group had 2 AEs (mild skin rash). In conclusion, TTG effectively restores serum TT and FT levels to a normal physiological range for hypogonadal men in Taiwan and improves sexual function.
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Int. J. Impot. Res. · Jul 2007
Physician perceptions of sexual dysfunction related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) symptoms and sexual side effects related to BPH medications.
In a large-scale epidemiology study, 50% of aging men reported erectile dysfunction (ED) or ejaculatory dysfunction (EjD), with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) an independent risk factor for each of these conditions. In light of the shift from urologists (UROs) to primary care/internal medicine physicians (PCPs) for the initial management of men with LUTS associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a survey was conducted to assess the perceptions of UROs and PCPs regarding sexual dysfunction (SD) in men with LUTS/BPH and the effects of BPH treatments (alpha(1)-adrenergic receptor antagonists (alpha-blockers) and 5alpha-reductase inhibitors (5ARIs)) on sexual function. The survey was mailed to 7500 UROs and 2500 PCPs, with 1275 (13%) surveys returned (1087 by UROs, 177 by PCPs and 11 by other specialty). ⋯ UROs were more aware than PCPs of the specific sexual side effects caused by alpha-blockers versus 5ARIs. These results suggest that physicians are underestimating the prevalence of SD in men with LUTS/BPH. As men with LUTS/BPH are at increased risk for SD, physicians should be especially cognizant of BPH treatment-related sexual side effects.