A2 Refereed review article in a scientific journal

The Impact of Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists on Erectile Function: Friend or Foe?




AuthorsKounatidis, Dimitris; Vallianou, Natalia G.; Rebelos, Eleni; Vallianou, Kalliopi; Diakoumopoulou, Evanthia; Makrilakis, Konstantinos; Tentolouris, Nikolaos

PublisherMDPI AG

Publication year2025

Journal:Biomolecules

Journal name in sourceBIOMOLECULES

Article number1284

Volume15

ISSN2218-273X

eISSN2218-273X

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.3390/biom15091284

Web address https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15091284

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/504549532


Abstract

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common yet frequently underrecognized microvascular complication of diabetes, affecting up to three out of four individuals. Key contributing factors include advancing age, long-standing disease duration, and suboptimal glycemic control, as well as insulin resistance and androgen deficiency-the latter being particularly common in men with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity. While numerous studies have investigated the effects of various antidiabetic therapies on diabetes-related ED, the results remain inconsistent, limiting definitive conclusions. In recent years, increasing attention has focused on a novel class of antidiabetic medications, namely glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs). These agents have become central to the treatment of T2D due to their potent glucose-lowering properties and well-documented benefits on cardiovascular outcomes, and weight loss. Given these pleiotropic effects, GLP-1 RAs have been presumed to positively influence erectile function-a hypothesis supported by a growing body of experimental and clinical research. However, preliminary reports have also raised concerns about a possible association between GLP-1 RA use and ED. This narrative review aims to synthesize current evidence regarding the impact of GLP-1 RAs on erectile function, providing a platform for future research in this evolving field.


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Funding information in the publication
This research received no external funding.


Last updated on 2025-14-10 at 15:41