Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology
Endocrine Abstracts (2013) 32 P657 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.32.P657

ECE2013 Poster Presentations Male reproduction (41 abstracts)

Impaired masturbation induced erections: a new cardiovascular risk factor for male subjects with sexual dysfunction

Giulia Rastrelli 1 , Valentina Boddi 1 , Giovanni Corona 1, , Gianni Forti 1 & Mario Maggi 1


1Andrology Unit, Department of Clinical Physiopathology, Florence, Italy; 2Endocrinology-Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy.


Introduction: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is considered an early surrogate marker of silent, or even overt, cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, epidemiological studies take into account only sexual intercourse-related erections. Although autoeroticism is a very common practice, data on masturbation-induced erections as a possible predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) are lacking.

Aim: To evaluate the clinical correlates of impaired masturbation-induced erections and to verify the importance of this sexual aspect in predicting MACE.

Methods: A consecutive series of 4031 male patients attending the Outpatient Clinic for sexual dysfunction for the first time was retrospectively studied. Among these subjects, 64% reported autoeroticism during the last 3 months and only this subset was considered in the following analyses. In the longitudinal study, 862 subjects reporting autoeroticism were enrolled.

Main outcome measures: Several clinical, biochemical and instrumental (PGE1 test and penile color Doppler ultrasound) parameters were studied.

Results: Subjects with an impaired erection during masturbation (46% of those reporting autoeroticism) had more often a positive personal or family history of CVD, a higher risk of reduced intercourse- and sleep-related erections, hypoactive sexual desire and perceived reduced ejaculate volume, and impaired PGE1 test response. Prolactin levels were lower in those having impaired erection during masturbation. In the longitudinal study, unadjusted incidence of MACE was significantly associated with impaired masturbation-induced erections. When dividing the population according to the median age and diagnosis of diabetes, the association between impaired masturbation-induced erections and incidence of MACE was maintained only in the youngest (<55 year-old) and in non-diabetic subjects, even after adjusting for confounders (HR=3.348 (1.085–10.335), P=0.032 and HR=2.108 (1.002–4.433), P=0.049; respectively).

Conclusions: This study indicates that, in subjects with male sexual dysfunction, evaluating an often neglected sexual parameter, such as masturbation-induced erections, can provide further insights on forthcoming MACE in particular in ‘low risk’ subjects.

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