Sexual function and pituitary axis in insulin treated diabetic men.

The prevalence of sexual dysfunction and the pituitary-gonadal function were studied in 72 consecutive diabetic male patients. Sexual dysfunction was found in 43% and in these patients peripheral neuropathy was significantly more frequent than in patients with normal sexual function. Sexual dysfunction was more frequent in patients at the age of 50--55 years than in young diabetics (age 25--30 years). No significant correlation between sexual dysfunction and the duration of the disease and no difference in the serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, prolactin, testosterone and oestradiol-17beta between patients with normal and reduced sexual function was found. It is concluded, that sexual dysfunction is not accompanied by altered serum concentrations of testosterone, oestradiol 17beta, gonadotrophins or prolactin. Sexual dysfunction correlates with peripheral neuropathy, but the high prevalence of dysfunction in males with short duration of diabetes without neuropathy makes other causes likely.