La sessualità nei disordini ipofisari

Sexuality significantly contributes to one’s overall well-being and quality of life, regardless of gender. Among its regulators, the pituitary gland holds a pivotal role, overseeing various vital functions, including reproduction and sexual health. When pituitary hormones veer off balance or metabolic shifts occur due to certain pathologies, they can disrupt sexual function. While endocrine disorders are well-known risk factors for sexual dysfunction for both genders, the literature on the topic is quite scarce, particularly concerning females. This short review aims to synthesise our understanding on the prevalence, characteristics, and underlying mechanisms of sexual dysfunctions in major pituitary disorders. We will summarise data on hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, conditions marked by abnormal prolactin levels, acromegaly, growth hormone deficiency, hypercortisolism, and hypocortisolism, highlighting gender-specific alterations in sexual function and shedding light on the often limited data available in this domain.