Male Infertility and Erectile Dysfunction: Shared Pathways, Diagnostics, and Therapeutic Innovations

Male infertility and erectile dysfunction (ED) are highly prevalent and often interlinked conditions affecting reproductive and sexual health. While traditionally considered separate entities, emerging evidence highlights a shared pathophysiological basis involving endocrine dysregulation, vascular compromise, metabolic dysfunction, and lifestyle-related factors. Low testosterone levels, hypogonadism, and disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis are common in both conditions, suggesting overlapping diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Despite growing recognition, the clinical intersection of infertility and ED remains underexplored. Advancing our understanding of this connection is crucial to improving patient outcomes and developing integrated approaches to diagnosis and management.

This Research Topic aims to explore the multifaceted relationship between male infertility and erectile dysfunction through the lens of endocrinology. We welcome original research, reviews, and clinical studies that investigate shared hormonal pathways, endocrine disruptors, metabolic syndromes, or genetic and molecular biomarkers. Specific interest lies in studies addressing testosterone deficiency, prolactin alterations, thyroid dysfunction, and novel diagnostic tools such as hormone panels or imaging techniques. Furthermore, we seek contributions on therapeutic interventions, including hormone replacement therapy, lifestyle modification, and pharmacological treatments that target both conditions simultaneously. Multidisciplinary perspectives incorporating andrology, urology, reproductive medicine, and internal medicine are strongly encouraged. By consolidating current knowledge and identifying gaps, this collection aims to foster a more integrated and personalized approach to male reproductive and sexual health.

We invite authors to submit manuscripts that contribute to a deeper understanding of the endocrine underpinnings of male infertility and erectile dysfunction. Submissions may include clinical trials, general commentaries, mini-reviews, original research articles, and systematic reviews with a clear focus on endocrine or hormonal factors. Topics of interest include but are not limited to hormonal diagnostics, shared risk factors, therapeutic outcomes, and endocrine-disrupting environmental exposures. Multidisciplinary collaborations are encouraged.