Statins may help improve erectile dysfunction (ED), especially in men who do not respond to phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i), according to a recent systematic review and meta-analysis published online ahead of print in the Asian Journal of Andrology.
The meta-analysis, led by Kun-Jie Wang, MD, of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China, focused on five randomized, placebo-controlled trials looking at statins as a treatment for ED. The trials included a total of 351 men. Results showed that statin treatment was associated with a significant 3.27 point improvement in International Index of Erectile Function score and an overall improvement in lipid profiles.
The researchers pointed out, however, that some research suggests that statins may decrease testosterone levels.
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“To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs investigating the effects of statins for the treatment of ED,” the authors noted.
The researchers noted that it is widely accepted that ED can be a consequence of a generalized vascular disorder caused by endothelial dysfunction. Studies have shown that statins could improve endothelial dysfunction rapidly even before changing the lipid profile.
