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Impotence (Erectile dysfunction) - Risk Factors

Description

An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of erectile dysfunction.

Alternative Names

ED

Risk Factors:

More than 18 million American men over age 20 have erectile dysfunction, and about 600,000 men age 40 - 70 experience erectile dysfunction to some degree each year.

Age

For most men, erectile dysfunction is primarily associated with older age. While ED affects less than 10% of men in their 20s, and 5 - 17% of men in their 40s, about 15 - 34% of men in their 70s have ED.

Nevertheless, impotence is not inevitable with age. In a survey of men over 60 years old, 61% reported being sexually active, and nearly half derived as much if not more emotional benefit from their sex lives as they did in their 40s.

Severe erectile dysfunction often has more to do with disease than age itself. In particular, older men are more likely to have heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure than younger men. Such conditions and some of their treatments are causes of erectile dysfunction.

Lifestyle Factors

Smoking. Smoking contributes to the development of impotence, mainly because it increases the effects of other blood vessel disorders, including high blood pressure and atherosclerosis.

Alcohol Use. Heavy drinking can cause erectile dysfunction. Alcohol depresses the central nervous system and impairs sexual function.

Drug Abuse. Illicit drugs such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamines, and marijuana can affect sexual function.

Lack of Exercise. A sedentary lifestyle can lead to obesity and other health problems associated with erectile dysfunction.

Resources

References

Babaei AR, Safarinejad MR, Kolahi AA. Penile revascularization for erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of effectiveness and complications. Urol J. 2009 Winter;6(1):1-7

Bhasin S, Cunningham GR, Hayes FJ, Matsumoto AM, Snyder PJ, Swerdloff RS, et al. Testosterone therapy in adult men with androgen deficiency syndromes: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006 Jun;91(6):1995-2010. Epub 2006 May 23.

Boloña ER, Uraga MV, Haddad RM, Tracz MJ, Sideras K, Kennedy CC, et al. Testosterone use in men with sexual dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Mayo Clin Proc. 2007 Jan;82(1):20-8.

Lindau ST, Schumm LP, Laumann EO, Levinson W, O'Muircheartaigh CA, Waite LJ. A study of sexuality and health among older adults in the United States. N Engl J Med. 2007 Aug 23;357(8):762-74.

McVary, K. T.. Clinical practice. Erectile dysfunction. N Engl J Med. 2007 Dec; 357(24): 2472-81.

Melnik T, Soares BG, Nasselo AG. Psychosocial interventions for erectile dysfunction. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007 Jul 18;(3):CD004825.

Miles CL, Candy B, Jones L, Williams R, Tookman A, King M. Interventions for sexual dysfunction following treatments for cancer. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007 Oct 17;(4):CD005540.

Müller A, Mulhall JP. Cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and erectile dysfunction. Curr Opin Urol. 2006 Nov;16(6):435-43.

Nehra A. Erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular disease: efficacy and safety ofphosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors in men with both conditions. Mayo Clin Proc. 2009 Feb;84(2):139-48.

Saad F, Grahl AS, Aversa A, Yassin AA, Kadioglu A, Moncada I, et al. Effects of testosterone on erectile function: implications for the therapy of erectile dysfunction. BJU Int. 2007 May;99(5):988-92. Epub 2007 Feb 19.

Selvin E, Burnett AL, Platz EA. Prevalence and risk factors for erectile dysfunction in the US. Am J Med. 2007 Feb;120(2):151-7.

Vardi M, Nini A. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors for erectile dysfunction in patients with diabetes mellitus. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007 Jan 24(1):CD002187.

  • Reviewed last on: 7/8/2009
  • Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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