Erectile dysfunction and risk of early death

Researchers have concluded that men with erectile dysfunction may face a higher risk of early death.

Sexual weakness is an alarming factor

Erectile dysfunction is not just a problem in the bedroom. It may also indicate a risk of heart disease and early death, regardless of a man's testosterone levels, the study says.

According to Harvard Medical School, Erectile dysfunction is defined as the inability to get or maintain an erection long enough to have sex, and is a common condition affecting nearly 30 million American men.

The dysfunction is more common in older men and is usually due to low levels of testosterone, the main sex hormone, which plays a key role in the development of male reproductive tissues and for the growth of muscles, bone mass and body hair.

Low testosterone levels have previously been linked to an increased risk of premature death for older men compared to those with normal testosterone levels, but previous studies have been inconsistent, says Dr. Lin Antonio of the University of Leuven in Belgium, lead author of the new study on studying the relationship between hormone levels and male sexual function.

The facts Antonio's team uncovered indicate that a man's testosterone level may not be as important a danger sign as the presence of erectile dysfunction.

"Because both vascular disease and Low testosterone affect erectile function, sexual symptoms may be an early sign of increased cardiovascular risk and mortality," states Antonio.

Hormon levels and impotence

Researchers studied data from nearly 2,000 patients aged 40 to 79 who participated in the European Male Aging Study, a large project that studied age-related hormonal changes and health outcomes in older men between 2003 and 2015.< /p>

The participants' sexual symptoms, including erectile dysfunction, morning erection, and libido, were measured using tests, and their sex hormone levels were analyzed by mass spectrometry, which shows the presence and level of the hormone.

During a follow-up period of 12 years, about 25% of the men died. Antonio's research team found that among them, participants with normal testosterone levels and erectile dysfunction had a 51% higher risk of death than those without these symptoms

Moreover, patients with low total testosterone and symptoms of impotence had a greater risk of early death than men with normal testosterone levels and no symptoms.

The results showed that, in general, those who had sexual dysfunctions including impotence and lack of morning erections had a higher risk of early death. At the same time, low libido did not carry risks.

Prevention and treatment of erectile dysfunction

In addition to low testosterone levels, there are several other potential causes of erectile dysfunction. This is mainly a blockage of the arteries or cardiovascular disease that prevents the blood flow necessary to create an erection.

That's why impotence, regardless of testosterone levels, can indicate a risk of cardiovascular disease and premature death. The blood vessels that supply the penis with blood for an erection become narrower than the coronary arteries, says Antonio. "This means that in men with atherosclerosis, blood flow in the vessels of the penis is disturbed earlier than in the coronary arteries."

Other possible causes of erectile dysfunction

They include:

• certain medications
• anxiety
• sleep disorders
• smoking
• alcohol consumption
• complications after prostate surgery
• illness
• accidents

Psychological factors such as stress, relationship problems and depression can also contribute.

According to Antonio, erectile dysfunction can be prevented and treated by practicing a healthy lifestyle and eliminating factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, excess cholesterol and obesity.

"These things are also helpful in improving overall health and reducing the risk of death in men suffering from sexual dysfunction," says Antonio. "Men dealing with sexual disorders should be aware that these symptoms can be an early warning of poor or declining health, as well as an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality."

"It's important to discuss your sexual symptoms with your doctor so that you can start treatment early," the specialist adds.

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