Lifestyle Factors
Recent studies support positive changes in lifestyle:
- In 2006 an article appearing in the Medical Journal of Australia
discussed the correlation between falling testosterone levels and health factors such as obesity. (1)
- In October 2004, an article appearing in the Electronic Journal of
Human Sexuality concluded that individuals who exercise
regularly feel better about themselves, perceive they are
more sexually desirable and experience greater levels of satisfaction.
- In the June 2004 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association,
researchers from the University of Naples reported that lifestyle
modifications, namely a reduced calorie diet and regular exercise,
improve erectile dysfunction in obese men. (2)
- The August 2003 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine published
results of a study that found exercise can add years to a man's sex
life and lower chances of impotence. Researchers looked at men over
the age of 50 and found those who were physically active reported better
erections with a 30 percent lower risk of impotence than men who were inactive. (3)
- An article printed in the February 1999 issue of the Journal
of the American Medical Association shows exercise helps increase
sexual potency because it strengthens the cardiovascular system and
improves circulation. Good circulation is necessary for sexual function
whereas obesity, smoking or heavy alcohol use can hamper this effect. (4)
- In August 2000, issue of Urology Journal, scientists in New England
Research Institutes concluded midlife changes may be too late
to reverse the effects of smoking, obesity, and alcohol consumption
on erectile dysfunction. In contrast, physical activity may
reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction even if initiated in midlife.
Early adoption of healthy lifestyles may be the best approach to
reducing the burden of erectile dysfunction on the health and well-being of older men. (5)
References
1. Allan C, Strauss B, Burger H, Forves E, McLachlan R.
The association between obesity and the diagnosis of androgen deficiency
in symptomatic ageing men. Medical Journal of Australia 185:424-427
2. Esposito K, Giugliano F, Di Palo C, Giugliano G, Marfella R,
D'Andrea F, D'Armiento M, Giugliano D. Effect of lifestyle
changes on erectile dysfunction in obese men: a randomized controlled trial.
JAMA. 2004 Jun 23;291(24):2978-84.
3. Bacon CG, Mittleman MA, Kawachi I, Giovannucci E, Glasser DB, Rimm EB.
Sexual function in men older than 50 years of age: results from
the health professionals follow-up study.Ann Intern Med.
2003 Aug 5;139(3):161-8.
4. Cohen PG. Sexual dysfunction in the United States. JAMA. 1999 Oct 6;282(13):1229.
5. Derby CA, Mohr BA, Goldstein I, Feldman HA, Johannes CB,
McKinlay JB. Modifiable risk factors and erectile dysfunction:
can lifestyle changes modify risk? Urology. 2000 Aug 1;56(2):302-6.
