Aug
27
Age, weight and body mass index
are all variables that can indicate the likelihood of erectile
dysfunction according to a new study.
The GlaxoSmithKline-supported
study has associated higher age, weight and BMI with a raised risk of prostate
cancer, which is a leading cause of sexual dysfunction in men. The prostate, a
gland which is part of the male reproductive system, is located at the base of
the abdomen on men and functions primarily to produce seminal fluid. The
importance of the prostate gland is related more to its effects when things go
wrong as opposed to its functions.
Scientists presented the findings
at the 22nd Annual Congress European Association of Urology (EAU) in Berlin.
Principal investigator Claus
Roehrborn, professor of urology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical
Centre, Dallas, said: “The question here was: does inflammation at
baseline predict the presence or absence of erectile dysfunction, decreased
libido or level of sexual activity?”
The trial, which included men age
50 to 75 years and which required patients to have had a negative prostate
biopsy in the six months prior to enrolment, found the answer to be positive.
The study also found an
association between erectile dysfunction and chronic inflammation.
Prostate
Cancer isn’t the only risk which is raised by higher age, weight and BMI. These
factors can contribute to a host of other conditions which can led in time to
male sexual dysfunction.
Most
cases of erectile dysfunction are usually a result of health conditions, medicines, or habits that interfere with blood
flow around the body and penis. It therefore goes without saying that a healthy
lifestyle improves male sexual health. For example a good diet, exercise, not
smoking and drinking in moderation can all help improve erectile problems.
General health is of great significance becau
se it affects the blood flow
around the body (including to the penis), problems with blood flow are among
the most common causes of erectile dysfunction.
Diabetes
is a life-long disease marked by high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood
and is on the increase in the UK due to poor dietary habits and obesity.
Diabetes is a common risk factor for erectile dysfunction, and men with
diabetes are up to four times as likely as other men to develop ED. They also
tend to get it at a younger age.
Erectile Dysfunction is also more likely to happen as a man gets older,
particularly after he’s 60. The occurrence of some degree of ED is 39% in men
40 years old, and 67% in those aged 70 years. ED can happen at any age, even
after years of satisfying sex.
High blood pressure (also called hypertension) can cause changes in blood
vessels leading to them stiffen or narrow. This can restrict the blood flow to
the penis, leading to erectile problems. Some medicines used to treat high
blood pressure can also contribute to erectile dysfunction
Heart
disease and high cholesterol levels can affect the flow of blood to the penis,
leading to erectile dysfunction. High cholesterol levels are responsible for a
build up in fatty deposits in the blood vessels leading to disturbances in the
flow or a complete block in blood flow. Men with heart disease are twice as
likely as other men to develop erectile problems.
This information has been brought to you by Firstmed.co.uk, the UK’s
leading online pharmacy
specialising in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). If you
wish to discuss any of the above issues in more detail, do not hesitate to
contact info@firstmed.co.uk or call +44
(0)870 199 5287
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