Sexual and pituitary-testicular function in torture victims.

Seventeen men who previously had been subjected to torture were studied. Sexual dysfunction (reduced libido and erectile dysfunction) occurred in 29%. There was no relationship between presence of sexual disturbances and previous cranial and/or genital traumas, severity of torture, or length of imprisonment. Plasma concentrations of pituitary gonadotrophins, prolactin, and testosterone were normal in all subjects studied. The cause of sexual dysfunction in torture victims remains to be established.