Erections: What’s Testosterone Got To Do With It?

Ah testosterone. That almost-mythical male sex hormone that’s vital for increasing our sexual desire and having fun in the sack. If you’re interested in future-proofing your sex life, it makes sense to investigate the link between erections and testosterone. Right, so let’s look at the facts.

• Pretty much everything about your erection is controlled by testosterone.¹
• Testosterone also regulates your sex drive, supports and enhances sperm development and is in charge of the development of male sexual characteristics – everything from a deep voice to your beard and pubic hair.²
• Testosterone regulates the production of nitric oxide and PDE5 levels, which are important for achieving and maintaining an erection.³ All in all, this is a hormone you don’t want to be without!

ED or erectile dysfunction is extremely common. Research has show that it affects 150 million men worldwide. While it most commonly occurs in men over 60, it becomes more prevalent once you hit 40. And it’s not all about age. According to stats, one in four men under 40 experience ED.⁴

The first step to taking action – and getting back in on the action – is to look at the root causes. Go see your doctor and get checked out. Plus, take a peek at our guide to the link between testosterone and ED. As every man who’s an expert in DIY knows, the first step to fixing a problem is investigating the cause. Then it’s time to look forward to a sex life that’s as wild and fulfilling as it can be. After all, good men deserve great sex.

• Testosterone has a significant impact in the creation and maintenance of your erection.⁵
• A decrease in the serum level of testosterone (known as hypogonadism) in a major cause of ED.
• Research has shown that men suffering from hypogonadism have a marked decrease in “frequency, amplitude and rigidity” of erection, according to a medical paper written by Dr Rajfer, at the University of California.⁶
• The level of hypoandrogenism (or decreased serum levels of testosterone), which can trigger ED is not yet fully known.
• According to Dr Rajfer’s paper: “It is believed that normal adult testosterone levels are required for normal erections to occur and that when this threshold of testosterone is reached, additional amounts do not further increase the frequency, amplitude, or rigidity of erections”.⁷
• Diabetes, dyslipidemic conditions, chronic alcoholism, liver disease, surgery on the pituitary or thyroid glands, steroid exposure, malnutrition, chronic diseases, excess blood transfusions, certain medications including anti-androgens and cannabis) and testicular disorders may result in hypogonadism – the low serum testosterone levels which may cause ED.⁸

Firstly, get tested for low testosterone, among other tests your doctor may recommend, if you’re having a case of ED. This is recommended by the European Association of Urology so good to go with their expert advice.⁹ The good news? There is treatment available.

Possible Treatment for Testosterone-related ED:

• Testosterone replacement therapy (ART) involves taking extra testosterone if you’re medically proven to be deficient. This can be taken orally, topically or through injections.¹⁰
  
• Examples include: transdermal testosterone gel and methylated androgen.¹¹
  
• Urologists agree that if your total testosterone levels are higher than 12nmol/l (>350 ng/dl) you don’t require replacement therapy.¹²
  
• More testosterone is only useful if you’re suffering from testosterone-deficient ED. It’s not just to boost a normal, healthy erection.¹³
• ED occurring as a result of testosterone deficiency caused by a tumor can be addressed by surgical means or by the use of radiotherapeutic or chemotherapeutic techniques.¹⁴