In short
Hormonal sexual dysfunction is a sexual problem caused by a hormone disorder: low testosterone, raised prolactin, thyroid disease or low oestrogen. Hormones cause a minority of sexual problems; in one series of 422 men with erectile dysfunction, 29 percent had a hormonal disorder, about 3 in 10. Hormones are measured when the history points to them, and a normal result redirects the search.
Condition Overview
What is hormonal sexual dysfunction?
Hormonal sexual dysfunction is low desire, erection problems, arousal problems or painful sex caused by a hormone imbalance. The hormones involved are testosterone, prolactin, thyroid hormone and oestrogen. Correcting the hormone usually restores function.
Which hormones cause sexual problems in men?
In men, low testosterone, raised prolactin and thyroid disease cause most hormonal sexual problems. Testosterone mainly supports desire and also keeps the erection mechanism working; raised prolactin lowers testosterone by suppressing the pituitary signal; an underactive or overactive thyroid lowers desire and erections. Low oestradiol is also associated with low desire in men. More detail: low testosterone.
Which hormones cause sexual problems in women?
In women, falling oestrogen after menopause is the main hormonal cause, through vaginal dryness and painful sex. Raised prolactin and an overactive thyroid also affect desire and arousal. Testosterone levels do not predict sexual function in most studies of women.
The route of oestrogen treatment matters: oral oestrogen raises sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG, the protein that binds testosterone) and lowers free testosterone, while oestrogen through the skin does not.
How common is hormonal sexual dysfunction?
Hormonal causes are found in a minority of sexual problems. In one series of 422 men with erectile dysfunction, 29 percent had a hormonal disorder: low testosterone in 19 percent, raised prolactin in 4 percent and thyroid disease in 6 percent. In another study of 1,022 men with ED, persistently low testosterone was found in only 4 percent under 50, 1 in 25, and 9 percent over 50.
Which hormone tests are done?
The hormone tests are chosen by the problem, according to clinical guidance. The table lists the standard sets.
| Problem | Tests |
|---|---|
| Erectile dysfunction (men) | Morning total testosterone, thyroid function; LH and prolactin if testosterone is low |
| Low desire (men) | Morning testosterone, prolactin, oestradiol, thyroid function |
| Low desire or pain (women) | Thyroid and prolactin only where the history points to them |
Saliva tests and large hormone panels are not used, because they do not change the diagnosis.
When are hormones the wrong explanation?
Hormones are the wrong explanation when the problem started suddenly, depends on the situation, or began with a medicine, a mood change or a relationship change. Sudden onset with normal morning erections points to a psychological cause in men. In women, relationship factors predict sexual function in midlife more strongly than hormones: relationship strain from libido changes.
Hormonal sexual dysfunction in Dubai and the UAE
Why are broad hormone panels common in Dubai?
Hormone panels are sold directly to patients, and a single borderline result often leads to hormones that treat nothing. Testosterone is a restricted medicine in the UAE and is prescribed only on a documented indication, and a borderline morning testosterone is repeated before any decision.
A consultation about a sexual problem with Dr Felix is private and documented with ordinary medical confidentiality. Nothing requires a partner to attend or to be told.
The sexual problems in detail: erectile dysfunction, low libido in men and low libido in women.
When to See a Doctor
- Low desire or erection problems together with tiredness, weight gain or loss of body hair.
- Sexual problems together with symptoms of thyroid disease, such as weight change, palpitations or feeling cold.
- Vaginal dryness or painful sex after menopause.
- A hormone test result from elsewhere that you want explained.
- Milky nipple discharge, headaches or vision changes: prompt assessment for a pituitary cause.
- Bleeding after menopause: prompt gynaecological assessment.
How Dr. Felix Assesses This
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1
History
Which part of sexual function changed, when, and what changed at the same time.
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2
Examination
Signs of hormone disorders, such as body hair, breast tissue, testes, thyroid and weight.
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3
Targeted hormone tests
The test set that fits the problem, with repeat morning samples where needed.
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4
Diagnosis and plan
Hormonal or not, and the treatment that fits the actual cause.
Treatment Options
Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a prescription treatment that raises a low testosterone level into the normal range for adult…
View Treatment
Vaginal Oestrogen in Dubai
Vaginal oestrogen is a low dose of oestrogen placed in the vagina, where it restores the thickness, moisture and acidic…
View Treatment
HRT Patches and Oestrogen Gel in Dubai
HRT patches and oestrogen gel are transdermal estradiol, the same hormone the ovaries made before menopause, absorbed through the skin…
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Why Early Treatment Can Matter
Early assessment of a possible hormonal cause finds pituitary and thyroid disease that need treatment in their own right. Raised prolactin in particular points to a pituitary problem that is examined further.
A normal hormone result is equally useful, because it moves the search to medicines, mood, sleep and the relationship.
Why Early Treatment Can Matter
Early assessment of a possible hormonal cause finds pituitary and thyroid disease that need treatment in their own right. Raised prolactin in particular points to a pituitary problem that is examined further.
A normal hormone result is equally useful, because it moves the search to medicines, mood, sleep and the relationship.
Correctable
Correcting a confirmed hormone disorder usually restores sexual function.
The underlying disease
Pituitary and thyroid disorders are found and treated, not only the symptom.
Targeted tests
A short test set chosen by the problem instead of a broad panel.
Cost & Consultation Investment
The cost of a hormonal assessment covers the consultation with Dr Felix, the examination and the targeted hormone tests. Dr Felix explains the full cost before anything is done.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, low testosterone, raised prolactin, thyroid disease and low oestrogen after menopause cause sexual problems. They explain a minority of cases; in one series of men with erectile dysfunction, 29 percent had a hormonal disorder.
In men, morning testosterone, prolactin, oestradiol and thyroid function. In women, thyroid and prolactin only where the history points to them.
No, a targeted set of tests chosen by the problem gives the answer. Large panels and saliva tests do not change the diagnosis and often produce borderline results that mislead.
Persistently low testosterone is less common than expected: in one study of 1,022 men with erectile dysfunction, 4 percent under 50 and 9 percent over 50 had it.
The cost covers the consultation, examination and targeted hormone tests with Dr Felix. The full figure is explained before anything is done.
Evidence
Where this information comes from
Every figure on this page is taken from the sources below. All of them are free to read, so you can check them yourself.
- Erectile Dysfunction: AUA Guideline
- EAU Guidelines on Sexual and Reproductive Health
- Erectile Dysfunction: Expert Panel Recommendations for Evaluation and Management in the United Arab Emirates
This page is general medical information and does not replace a personal consultation. Trial results are averages across large groups, not a prediction for any one person.