Objectives: To determine the relationship between the total and subscale scores of the Aging Male Symptoms (AMS) and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaires, age, and serum sex steroids levels.
Methods: A total of 348 patients enrolled in the study answered the AMS and IIEF questionnaires. Hormonal analysis, including total testosterone, free testosterone (FT), estradiol (E2), and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA-S) measurement, were performed. The patients with a total AMS score of 29 were considered to have aging male symptoms and the patients with an IIEF score of less than 26 were considered to have sexual dysfunction.
Results: Although DHEA-S levels were significantly lower and E2 levels were greater in the men with aging male symptoms according to the AMS, the DHEA-S and FT levels were significantly lower in the men with sexual dysfunction, as determined by the IIEF score. Serum DHEA-S and FT levels and age correlated significantly with the IIEF scores. The total AMS score correlated significantly only with age. Although serum total testosterone, FT, and DHEA-S levels correlated significantly with the andrologic symptoms of AMS, the serum E2 levels correlated with psychological symptoms of AMS.
Conclusions: Although aging male symptoms and the effects of hormonal changes on these symptoms have been controversial, DHEA-S and E2 might play some important roles in the symptoms of aging men.