The associations of erectile dysfunction with diabetes and
cardiovascular risk factors may serve as powerful motivators for men who
need to make changes in their diet and lifestyle," says researcher
Elizabeth Selvin, PhD, MPH, of the department of epidemiology at the
Bloomberg School of Public Health, in Baltimore, in a news release.
ED Common Among American Men
In
the study, researchers examined the prevalence of erectile dysfunction
and its association with other health problems in a sample of more than
2,100 men, aged 20 and older, who took part in a nationwide survey in
2001-2002.
Researchers classified men who reported being
"sometimes able" or "never able" to get and keep an erection as having
erectile dysfunction.
The results showed 18.4% of men over 20 suffered from erect dysfunction.
The
trouble was much more common in older men, with 70% of men 70 or over
reporting erectile problems, compared with 5% of men 20 to 40.
Healthy Lifestyle May Prevent ED
Aside
from show how widespread erectile dysfunction is, researchers say the
results are significant because they suggest simple lifestyle changes
like common exercise and eating a healthy diet may ease the problem for
many men by reducing the risk of heart disease and associated
conditions.
The study showed that men with heart disease risk
factors, diabetes, or a sedentary lifestyle were much more likely to
report erectile dysfunction than healthier, more physically active men.
For example:
* Almost 90% of men with erectile dysfunction had at least one risk
factor for heart disease, such as high blood pressure, elevated
cholesterol, smoking, or diabetes.
* 50% of men with diabetes reported erectile dysfunction.
* Men with diabetes were three times more likely to have ED than men
without diabetes, even after adjusting for other risk factors.
* Men who were physically inactive, such as those who hadn’t engaged
in vigorous physical activity for at least a month, were much more
likely to have ED than men who were physically active.
Researchers
say the association between ED and lack of physical activity suggests
lifestyle changes, especially increasing exercise levels, may be
effective, drug-free ways to treat and prevent erectile dysfunction.
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