Testosterone levels don’t appear to affect the severity of Peyronie’s disease, according to researchers from the University of North Carolina.
When a man has Peyronie’s disease, his penis develops a distinct curve that can interfere with sexual intercourse. The bend is caused by areas of hardened scar tissue called plaques, which make the penis less flexible. Peyronie’s disease can be painful and it prevents some men from having intercourse at all.
The exact cause of Peyronie’s disease isn’t known, but many experts believe that the plaques result from an injury that doesn’t heal properly.
Men with Peyronie’s disease may also have problems getting erections, a condition called erectile dysfunction (ED).
Because low testosterone is common with both Peyronie’s disease and ED, the researchers wanted to learn more about its role.
One hundred eighty-five men participated in the study. Eighty-seven of them had Peyronie’s disease. The rest had ED. (None of the men had both Peyronie’s disease and ED at the same time, however.) On average, the men were in their mid-fifties.
The researchers were particularly interested in two issues.
First, they wanted to compare the testosterone levels of men with Peyronie’s disease with those of men with ED.
The men gave blood samples and their testosterone levels were checked. Levels below 300 ng/dL were classified as low. (Click here to learn more about testosterone measurements.)
The researchers discovered little difference in the testosterone levels for the two groups. The average level for the men with Peyronie’s disease was 328 ng/dL. For those with ED, the average was 332 ng/dL.
Second, the researchers wanted to know whether testosterone levels affected the severity of Peyronie’s disease.
They measured the degree of curve and the size of plaques for each man with Peyronie’s disease. Then, they considered these results based on whether the men had low or normal testosterone levels.
But there were no significant differences. Even after accounting for high blood pressure, diabetes, drinking and smoking habits, and hyperlipidemia, the men’s curvature and plaque size measurements were similar.
“The exact role of [testosteronehttp://ctt.ec/c7H17" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(145, 188, 64); text-decoration: none;">(Click to tweet)
==================================================
The study was first published online in January in The Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Resources
The Journal of Sexual Medicine
Kirby, E. Will, MD, et al.
“Low Testosterone Has a Similar Prevalence among Men with Sexual Dysfunction Due to Either Peyronie's Disease or Erectile Dysfunction and Does Not Correlate with Peyronie's Disease Severity”
(Full-text. First published online: January 8, 2015)
You may also be interested in...
Other Popular Articles
What Is Jelqing, and Does It Actually Work?
The term “jelqing” refers to a set of penis stretching exercises that some believe can make the penis bigger. Although the practice has gained attention and popularity in blogs and internet forums in recent years, there is no scientific evidence that it is an effective way to permanently increase the size of one’s penis. In fact, in some cases, jelqing may actually cause damage to the penis, so it is a good idea to get all the facts before setting off to try it.
What Is the Average Penis Size?
If you have ever wondered how your penis compares to others in terms of size, you are not alone. Many men are curious to know how their penises stack up compared to the average. Unfortunately, general curiosity can sometimes give way to full-on obsession and anxiety about penis size. This can be an unhealthy and often unnecessary fixation, especially because most men who think their penises are too small have perfectly normal-sized penises.
What Is Sensate Focus and How Does It Work?
Sensate focus is a technique used to improve intimacy and communication between partners around sex, reduce sexual performance anxiety, and shift away from ingrained, goal-oriented sexual patterns that may not be serving a couple.
What Is Edging and Why Do People Do It?
Edging is the practice of stopping sexual stimulation before reaching orgasm to prolong a sexual experience. The term stems from the concept of approaching the metaphorical “edge” of orgasm but stopping before going over the edge.
Can Sex Reduce Menstrual Cramps?
The SMSNA periodically receives and publishes ‘guest editorials.’ The current article was submitted by Mia Barnes, a freelance writer and researcher who specializes in women's health, wellness, and healthy living. She is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Body+Mind Magazine.
Having sex while you experience menstrual cramps is healthy and can provide significant benefits. While it might not be the first activity that comes to mind when your PMS or period cramping begins, many people enjoy sex to reduce menstrual cramps, experience increased pleasure and benefit from other advantages. Learn more about having sex while menstrual cramps are happening and how it can help your body.
Can Sex Throw off Your Vaginal pH Balance?
The SMSNA periodically receives and publishes ‘guest editorials.’ The current article was submitted by Mia Barnes, a freelance writer and researcher who specializes in women's health, wellness, and healthy living. She is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Body+Mind Magazine.
Your vagina is a pretty powerful organ. It is a pathway for menstrual blood and babies. It also is a main player in sexual intercourse. You might hear about your vagina’s pH and worry that yours is at risk. Here’s what to know about vaginal pH, including the impacts sex could have.
