Klarinet Archive - Posting 000175.txt from 1995/04

From: "Steve L. Gordon" <SGordon688@-----.COM>
Subj: impotence
Date: Wed, 12 Apr 1995 01:15:43 -0400

Concerning Dan's question: Some of the answers have been misleading. though
the testes are separate from the erectile tissue, they are of paramount
importance for sexual functioning because they produce testosterone. Lack of
testosterone causes impotence. So men who have had their testes removed are
impotent and will tend to completely lack libido. Even direct stimulation in
the absence of interest will not be particularly effective. This can be
overcome with testosterone injections because the erectile machinery is still
intact. The sperm output of the testes is not important for sexual
functioning, hence the popularity of vasectomies. Testosterone production
may fail in normal men, and part of the workup for this includes checking
blood levels.

At your service

S. Gordon, M.D.