Krause W
Abteilung für Dermatologie mit Schwerpunkt Andrologie, Medizinisches Zentrum für Hautkrankheiten, Universität Marburg/Lahn.
Fortschr Med. 1990 Jun 30;108(19):371-4.
Although the aging male experiences a decrease in genital function, it is not as pronounced or as complete as in the female ovary, so that this process is only remotely similar to the climacteric. The most important sign is a decrease in erection frequency and other sexual functions. This is, however, not due simply to a decrease in testosterone levels. For numerous studies have clearly shown that the number of sexual performances is independent of current testosterone levels. A qualitative change in Leydig cell function can, however, be concluded from the "latent androgen deficit", reduced stimulability of the Leydig cells, and the frequent anomalies of the levels of such other hormones as FSH and LH in patients with impotence. Thus, the treatment of "impotence" with oral or depot testosterone is indicated in proven manifest or latent androgen deficiency.
尽管老年男性的生殖功能会减退，但其程度不如女性卵巢那样显著或彻底，所以这个过程与更年期仅有微弱的相似性。最重要的迹象是勃起频率及其他性功能的减退。然而，这并非仅仅是由于睾酮水平降低所致。因为众多研究已明确表明，性行为的次数与当前的睾酮水平无关。不过，从“潜在雄激素缺乏”、睾丸间质细胞刺激反应性降低以及阳痿患者中促卵泡生成素（FSH）和促黄体生成素（LH）等其他激素水平频繁出现异常的情况，可以推断出睾丸间质细胞功能发生了质性改变。因此，在已证实的明显或潜在雄激素缺乏的情况下，采用口服或长效睾酮治疗“阳痿”是合适的。
