Male Sexual Health and Drugs

Abstract

The descriptions of the effects of ADEs on male sexual function are generally scarce and restricted to few topics. Any intervention which influences the sexual hormone system obviously also influences male sexual functions, e.g. antiandrogenic compounds, which depress sexual libido and other sexual functions. In some circumstances, it may be questionable as to whether the effect of a drug on male sexual functions is a desired therapeutic effect, or whether it is an untoward effect. For example, the depression of pituitary hormone secretion by the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues in the treatment of prostate carcinoma is important in order to achieve androgen deprivation and prolong the remission of the disease. On the other hand, the depression of gonadotropin secretion in these men by GnRH leads to impotence and infertility, which is definitely an untoward effect.