Some final words on androgens

As androgens, and especially testosterone, are important for male health they are an interesting field of research. Unfortunately the research is scant on the relation between androgens and CPPS. But it is definitively a good idea to try to minimize androgen disruption by trying to get enough sleep. Especially due to the fact that nocturia disrupts sleep in CPPS. A possible solution could be very small doses of desmopressin, to see if sleep improves leading to improved wellbeing and vigour. It would also be interesting to research thyroid and gonadal-pituitary function.

CPPS, prostatit, kroniskt bäckenbottensmärtsyndrom, nokturi, trängningar, androgens, erection, estrogens, nocturia, testosterone.

Erectile dysfunction and the physiology of erection

Impotence or erectile dysfunction is reported in CPPS, but information on prevalence is highly variable, although rates are higher than in controls, especially in young CPPS sufferers. It is most likely caused by underlying testosterone deficiency, diabetes and obesity and/or stress/fear induced reactions. See discussion on testosterone, nocturia and sleep for causes of testosterone deficiency in CPPS.

Erection is a complex "neurovascular" event "modulated by psychological and hormonal factors" leading to increased blood flow into and decreased flow out of the penis (so called tumescence). Murine (rats and mice) studies indicate that selenium, vitamin E and vitamin C insufficiency may be involved.(1)

Andra bloggar om CPPS, kroniskt bäckenbottensmärtsyndrom, erektion
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(1) Priviero FBM, Leite R, Webb RC, Teixeira CE. Neurphysiological basis of penile erection. Acta Pharmacol Sin 28(6):751-755, 2007 (this is a concise review).