Testosterone Undecanoate Restores Erectile Function in a Subset of Patients with Venous Leakage: A Series of Case Reports

Abstract

Androgens are critical for maintaining penile structure and function and androgen deficiency alters the function of the corporal veno-occlusive mechanism in animal models. However, there are limited research and data supporting this association in humans. Case reports of hypogonadal men (N = 12) with low plasma testosterone and moderate to severe erectile dysfunction are presented. Comorbidities varied, including diabetes mellitus type I or II, metabolic syndrome with possible related hypertension, dyslipidemia, or obesity. Oral phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor therapy did not improve erectile function. Each patient underwent baseline dynamic infusion pharmacocavernosometry and cavernosography revealing various degrees of corporal veno-occlusive dysfunction. The patients underwent treatment with 1,000 mg injectable testosterone undecanoate (Nebido) on day 1, followed by another injection after 6 weeks and every 3 months thereafter. Dynamic infusion pharmacocavernosography was repeated in all 12 patients after 3 months of treatment. Five of the 12 patients reported significant improvement in erectile function within 12-20 weeks of androgen treatment and are currently under follow-up. Compared with baseline pharmacocavernosography, repeat radiological studies in patients who reported improvement in erectile function did not show veins draining the corporal bodies. The patients who responded to androgens also noted improvement in sexual desire domain (International Index of Erectile Function [IIEF] scores increased from 4 +/- 0.7 to 8 +/- 0.3) and erectile function domain (IIEF scores increased from 6 +/- 2 to 24 +/- 1). The observations made in these limited series of case reports suggest that testosterone improved erectile function in hypogonadal patients by restoring veno-occlusive function. Prospective, multi-institutional, double-blind placebo-controlled trials in hypogonadal patients are indicated.