Androgen function in “psychogenic” and “constitutional” types of impotence

Abstract

Androgen function was studied in twenty-five physically healthy “primarily” impotent males classified on clinical criteria into “psychogenic” or “constitutional” groups. The mean urinary testosterone level in the former was significantly higher than in the latter group (P<0 005). Important variables associated significantly with higher urinary testosterone levels (P<005) were (a) “late onset” impotence, (b) shorter duration than two years, (c) stronger “sex drive,” and (d) an alternative sexual outlet to orgasm and ejaculation in the three months preceding referral; the last-mentioned appeared to be the single most important discriminatory feature. It is suggested that testosterone excretion patterns—namely, high, average, and low—may be one method of classifying impotence. © 1970, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.