PurposeThe aim of the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of testosterone on cardiovascular disease by using the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) in patients with sexual dysfunction.Materials and MethodsA total of 308 men with sexual dysfunction were enrolled in this study. Clinical assessments included the 15-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), blood pressure measurement, and clinical laboratory indexes. The FRS, which predicts the incidence rate of cardiovascular diseases in the next 10 years, was calculated on the basis of age, gender, total cholesterol, smoking status, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure.ResultsThe mean age of the 308 enrolled patients was 49.42±10.73 years, and the patients' mean body mass index (kg/m2) was 25.07±3.14. The mean total IIEF score was 28.44±18.06. The median total testosterone concentration was 3.2 ng/mL (interquartile range [IQR]: 2.3~3.2 ng/mL). The median calculated free and bioavailable testosterone concentrations were 0.052 ng/mL (IQR 0.039~0.070 ng/mL) and 1.30 ng/mL (IQR: 1.00~1.76 ng/mL), respectively. The mean FRS was 10.47±6.45. The FRS tended to show a negative correlation with the total and calculated free testosterone levels, but this was not significant (p=0.064 and p=0.074, respectively). In the multiple linear regression analysis, a significant negative correlation was observed between the total testosterone level and the FRS (p=0.048).ConclusionsThe results suggest that the testosterone level is related to the FRS and that a high testosterone level may decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease.

PurposeThis study aimed at investigating sexual behavior patterns of elderly residents of urban areas in South Korea and their correlation with lower urinary tract symptoms.Materials and MethodsFrom May, 2009 to October, 2009, 154 males and 299 females over 60 years old who visited senior welfare centers of Seoul were administered a questionnaire on sex life patterns and voiding symptoms.ResultsAmong the 154 males, 59 (38.3%) had sexual intercourse at least one time per month. The remaining 95 males (61.7%) did not have sexual intercourse, because of impotence for 52 males (52.6%), no sexual desire for 28 males (29.4%), and sex partner's problems for 15 males (15.7%). The higher International Prostate Symptom Score was, the lower International Index of Erectile Dysfunction-5 was (p=0.035). Among 299 females, 37 (12.4%) had sexual intercourse at least one time per month. The remaining 262 females (87.6%) did not have sexual intercourse, because of no spouse for 163 females (63.2%), no sexual desire for 48 females (18.6%), the spouse's impotence for 34 females (13.2%), and the spouse's bad health for 10 females (3.9%). It was found that self-diagnosis of overactive bladder affects sex life negatively.ConclusionsThe sexual behaviors of the elderly included varying activity. Sexual intercourse were significantly associated with lower urinary tract symptoms. Our results suggest that the counseling with the elderly about sexual health is as important as it is with non-elderly individuals.