Erectile dysfunction is a condition where men are unable to achieve or maintain an erection to properly perform and enjoy sexual intercourse. The problem is also known as impotence and it may be associated with reduced libido.
Erectile dysfunction is more often than not a symptom or sign of other underlying issues. It was believed that psychological factors like anxiety and depression were the main culprits behind erectile dysfunction, but now we understand that it’s typically caused by physical issues.
While it can be considered normal to occasionally get erectile dysfunction, continued impotence is often a sign of a deeper physical problem, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or blood vessel disease. These are all problems that can affect the heart and the blood vessels connected to it.
Given the connection between medical conditions and erectile dysfunction, it’s important to speak with your doctor regarding the impotence treatment if you notice that erectile dysfunction is becoming a chronic problem in your relationship. They can determine if physical illnesses are indeed the cause and advise on what to do about it.
How are Erectile Dysfunction and Obesity Connected?
Studies have shown that obese and overweight men are more likely to have erectile dysfunction than men at a healthier weight. Being overweight increases the chances of developing erectile dysfunction by between 30 and 90 percent. This is hardly surprising given the connection between obesity and heart disease, and the connection between blood supply and erections.
Being overweight/obese is also connected to metabolic disease and diabetes. There are well-known links between these issues and erectile problems. Men tend to notice that they are developing symptoms of erectile dysfunction within ten years of being diagnosed with diabetes.
How Does This Affect My Health?
A study from the University of Adelaide, which was supported by the Bupa Health Foundation, discovered that obese men can improve sexual desire and erectile dysfunction by losing weight.
The study was conducted over 12 months and involved two groups of obese me. It showed that abnormalities in sexual, lower urinary tract, and cardiovascular function improved following diet-induced weight loss. Both groups also saw an increase in sexual desire after losing the weight.
This is a significant study as not only does it demonstrate that weight loss improves sexual function, but it also gives men another great reason to lose weight and improve their overall sexual and heart health.
Here are key facts you need to know about the connection between obesity and erectile dysfunction:
- 61% of adults are classed as overweight or obese
- There are more obese men than women
- Around 21% of middle-aged and older men in Australia report dealing with erectile dysfunction
- Erectile dysfunction becomes more common as men get older, with men over 70 years old having three times as many incidences of erectile dysfunction as men in their 40s
