The effect of rosuvastatin and atorvastatin on erectile dysfunction in hypercholesterolaemic patients

Background and aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin on erectile dysfunction in hypercholesterolaemic patients. Methods: Ninety consecutive male hypercholesterolaemic patients (mean age 50.4 ± 7.9 years) who were otherwise healthy were included into the study prospectively. None of the patients had any cardiovascular risk factors except hypercholesterolaemia.The patients were divided into two groups. One group received atorvastatin while the other group was given rosuvastatin. All patients were followed for six months and International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) score and blood samples were re-evaluated. Results: Patients were in similar ages in both groups. There were also no statistical differences in terms of blood glucose levels, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, triglyceride and mean IIEF score in both groups at the beginning. After six months, no IIEF score changes were observed in the rosuvastatin group after the medication. However, the IIEF score was significantly lower in the atorvastatin group (p = 0.019). Conclusions: Rosuvastatin showed no effect on erectile dysfunction, while we observed increased erectile dysfunction with atorvastatin. Our study reveals that different statin types may have different effects on erectile dysfunction.