Is There an Association Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Erectile Dysfunction? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Crafa A, et al.
Published in Nutrients
Methodology
Systematic review and meta-analysis searching PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane, Academic One Files, Google Scholar and Scopus from inception to January 2020 using MeSH terms; 8 observational studies with 4,055 patients pooled, comparing 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and International Index of Erectile Function scores.
Key Findings
This meta-analysis of eight observational studies with 4,055 men found no overall difference in 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels between men with and without erectile dysfunction. However, when only men with vitamin D deficiency (below 20 ng/mL) were analysed, their International Index of Erectile Function scores were significantly worse than controls, an association that persisted in men with normal testosterone. Men with severe erectile dysfunction had lower vitamin D levels than those with mild disease. The authors conclude there is an association with severe forms only, independent of testicular function.
Conclusions
This meta-analysis suggests an association between vitamin D deficiency and the presence of severe forms of ED, independent of testicular function.
Limitations
All eight included studies were observational, so this shows association not causation and cannot say whether supplementing vitamin D improves erectile function; the headline comparison between men with and without erectile dysfunction was null, with positive findings emerging only in subgroups.
Supplements Studied
this meta-analysis suggests an association between vitamin D deficiency and the presence of severe forms of ED, independent of testicular function.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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