Effect of correcting serum cholesterol levels on erectile function in patients with vasculogenic erectile dysfunction

Objective. This study evaluated the effect of correction of serum cholesterol levels on erectile function and sildenafil treatment in patients with erectile dysfunction who have only hypercholesterolaemia as a risk factor for erectile dysfunction. Material and methods. Twenty-five patients with a single risk factor (hypercholesterolaemia, serum cholesterol 200 mg/dl) for erectile dysfunction were included in the study. The patients were recommended to take sildenafil (minimum two 100 mg tablets/week) 1 h before sexual intercourse for 4 weeks. After 1 month washout period, the patients received a single dose of atorvastatin 10 mg/day for 1 month. Similarly, after a 1 month washout period, atorvastatin 10 mg/day and sildenafil (minimum two 100 mg tablets/week) were administered for 1 month as combination therapy. Erectile function was evaluated before and after all treatment regimens using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Results. Following each treatment modality mean IIEF scores were significantly higher than baseline IIEF scores (p<0.01). The IIEF score after sildenafil treatment was significantly higher than in the atorvastatin treatment group (p<0.01); and the IIEF score after combined treatment was significantly higher than in the sildenafil and atorvastatin treatment groups. Conclusions. Correction of serum cholesterol levels with atorvastatin could improve erectile function in patients who have only hypercholesterolaemia as a risk factor for erectile dysfunction. Furthermore, atorvastatin could improve sildenafil's effects on erectile function in hypercholesterolaemic patients with erectile dysfunction.