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Newly published research from nearly 32,000 men found that one third
of American men 50 years and older have difficulty achieving an
erection. The good news: there appears to be a lot men can do to
reduce their risk of erection problems, most importantly, lose weight
and exercise regularly.*
Erectile dysfunction
Other factors (though less significant) tied to increased risk of
erectile dysfunction, or impotence, were smoking, diabetes, stroke,
cancer, increasing age, antidepressant medications, and beta-blocker
drugs, commonly used to treat hypertension.
“In general, we found that many risk factors associated with
heart disease were also associated with increased risk of erectile
dysfunction,” notes lead author Dr. Constance G. Bacon from
Harvard School of Public Health.
Previous studies have identified a similar link between heart health
and sexual health. What makes this latest study a standout is its
huge data base: 31,742 men from a wide age range, ages 53 to 90
years, which “provided the opportunity,” states Dr.
Bacon, “to estimate more precisely the age-specific prevalence
of erectile dysfunction and associated independent risk factors.”
Moreover, the data were collected very recently, in 2000, “after
public awareness may have begun to reduce the social stigma associated
with this condition.”
33% of men have problems
After excluding those with prostate cancer, the researchers found
that 33% of the men reported erection problems in the previous three
months. Many problems related to sexual function, including desire,
orgasm, and overall ability, increased with each decade after age
50 years: 26% in men ages 50 to 59 jumped to 40% in men ages 60
to 69, for example.
But interestingly, men with a healthy lifestyle and no chronic disease,
such as hypertension, diabetes, or heart disease, had the lowest
risk for erectile dysfunction, regardless of their age.
“Lifestyle factors can strongly impact your sexual health,”
affirms Dr. Robert Bauer, who has practiced medicine at the Pritikin
Longevity Center® since 1978. “For 25 years I’ve
observed it,” he smiles. “Almost every man who comes
here – whether or not he has erection problems – is
feeling quite a bit more adventurous after a couple of weeks. He’s
exercising, losing weight, standing more erect, feeling better –
just naturally, he’s taking better pride in himself. All of
a sudden, he’s feeling a lot more romantic.
“A wonderful side effect”
“This is a very common experience at Pritikin, and, of course,
a wonderful side effect in addition to the many other great things
that happen here, like angina disappearing, blood pressure dropping,
and energy levels soaring.”
In the Harvard study, the two lifestyle factors most strongly associated
with a healthy sex life were physical activity and a normal body
weight. Men at normal weight ranges (BMI of 25 or less) were 30%
less likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction than obese men.
Similarly, men who exercised vigorously for at least three hours
per week were 30% less likely to have erection problems than men
who participated in little or no exercise.
Losing weight, exercising
“I have no doubt that losing weight is beneficial for one’s
sexual performance,” says Dr. Bauer. “And it makes biological
sense that exercise is beneficial, too. Impotence is in part caused
by insufficient blood flow to the penis, and we know exercise can
improve blood flow. After all, what is claudication? It’s
nothing more than poor circulation in the lower extremities, which
exercise substantially improves.”
Other lifestyle-related risk factors linked with erection problems,
concluded the Harvard researchers, were smoking, consumption of
more than two alcoholic drinks per day, and television viewing (more
than 8 1/2 hours a week).
Use of antidepressant medication and beta-blockers was also significantly
associated with erectile dysfunction.
Getting off medications
“Freedom from high blood pressure drugs like beta blockers
can free you of impotence,” affirms Dr. Bauer, “and
many men do get completely off their hypertension medication while
at the Center. Getting rid of the salt, fat, and anxiety often leads
to healthy, normal blood pressure – and a healthier sex life.
That’s the ideal situation, and it happens all the time here.”
Dr. Bacon and colleagues at Harvard cautioned that their study looked
only at associations between lifestyle factors and impotence, not
at whether lifestyle factors actually caused impotence, so they
cannot be certain that changes in lifestyle will in fact improve
sexual problems.
“They’re being 100% objective and focusing solely on
the scientific research, but as a physician who has worked daily
with patients for a quarter of a century and observed remarkable
results, I have to ask: Why wait for their absolutely definitive
research when, right now, you can probably change your sex life
for the better and at the same time improve your overall health
– your heart, your blood sugar, your blood pressure, and your
cholesterol?” asserts Dr. Bauer.
Renewed sexual health
“I’ve watched the same happy scenario for 25 years.
You have men – and women, for that matter – who, when
they come to Pritikin, get away from difficult, stressful situations
back home. They begin to relax. They’re eating lots of good
healthy fruits and vegetables. They lose a few pounds. They’re
feeling great. Well,” he laughs, “what’s going
to happen?
“Now, can you attribute this renewed sexual health to weight
loss? The disappearance of high blood pressure? Getting off meds?
Feeling better about yourself? Interacting with new friends? I don’t
think you can separate these factors. What we do know is that often
– even without modifying medications – the lifestyle
changes that people experience here lead to some wonderful adventures
– and within a very short period of time.”
“What’s good for your heart, body and mind,” concludes
Dr. Bauer, “really is good for your sex life.”
* Annals of Internal Medicine, 2003. 139: 161-16
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