Briefing Document: Hormonal Regulation of Male Sexual Desire, Arousal, and Penile Erection
Source
Rastrelli, G., Antonio, L., Carrier, S., Isidori, A., & Maggi, M. (2025). The hormonal regulation of men’s sexual desire, arousal, and penile erection: recommendations from the fifth international consultation on sexual medicine (ICSM 2024). Sexual Medicine Reviews, 2025, 1–23.
Overview
This invited review from Sexual Medicine Reviews (2025) provides an extensive, evidence-based overview of the hormonal and neurochemical regulation of male sexual...
The Italian Society of Andrology and Sexual Medicine (SIAMS), along with ten other Italian Scientific Societies, guidelines on the diagnosis and management of erectile dysfunction (2023) G. Corona · D. Cucinotta · G. Di Lorenzo · A. Ferlin · V. A. Giagulli · L. Gnessi · A. M. Isidori· M. I. Maiorino · P. Miserendino · A. Murrone · R. Pivonello · V. Rochira · G. M. Sangiorgi · G. Stagno · C. Foresta · A. Lenzi · M. Maggi · E. A. Jannini
Abstract
Purpose
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the most prevalent male sexual dysfunctions. ED has been in the past...
Androgens and male sexual function (2022) Giovanni Corona, MD, Ph.D., Consultant Endocrinologist, Giulia Rastrelli, MD, Ph.D., Associate professor of Endocrinology, Linda Vignozzi, MD, Ph.D., Associate professor of Endocrinology, Mario Maggi, MD, Ph.D., Full professor of Endocrinology
Sexual symptoms are the most specific determinants of low testosterone (T) observed during adulthood. In this narrative review, we summarize the most important evidence supporting the positive relationships between endogenous T levels and sexual activity in the adult male, by using preclinical...
The role of testosterone in male sexual function (2022) Giovanni Corona · Mario Maggi
Abstract
Sexual function, and testosterone (T) levels, progressively decline in aging men. Associated morbidities and metabolic disorders can accelerate the phenomenon. The specific contribution of low T to sexual function impairment in aging men has still not been completely clarified. Similarly, the role of T replacement therapy (TRT), as well as the combination of TRT with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i) for patients with erectile dysfunction (ED), is still...
Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Sexual Symptoms Giulia Rastrelli, MD, PhD, Federica Guaraldi, MD, Yacov Reismann, MD, Alessandra Sforza, MD, Andrea M. Isidori, MD, Mario Maggi, MD, and Giovanni Corona, MD, PhD
ABSTRACT
Background
Several data have clearly shown that the endocrine system—and androgens in particular—play a pivotal role in regulating all the steps involved in the male sexual response cycle. Accordingly, testosterone (T) replacement therapy (TRT) represents a cornerstone of pharmacologic management of hypogonadal subjects with...
* The P4 panel recommendations confirm that ED is a strong, independent predictor of cardiac events, even when traditional risk factors such as cholesterol, diabetes and blood pressure are controlled for. In short, ED is the body's "check engine light" for heart disease.
* Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors — such as sildenafil and tadalafil — remain first line therapy for ED. The P4 recommendations, however, suggest that these medications may offer more than symptom relief. Multiple large studies show that men taking PDE5 inhibitors have lower rates of heart...
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