Obesity And Impotence Link Confirmed By New Study

a clear link with increasing obesity levels and decreasing testosterone levels

It is commonly known in medical circles that being obese can have a detrimental effect on erectile function and that many men who get prescriptions for the erectile dysfunction drugs Viagra, Cialis and Levitra are in fact overweight or obese. A new study recently published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine has confirmed this hypothesis.

For the study almost 2,500 Italian men who sought medical treatment for erectile dysfunction between the years of 2001 and 2007 were evaluated for a number of different factors. It was noted that 41.5 percent had a normal weight, (a BMI of less than 25), 42.4 percent were categorised as clinically overweight, (BMI 25+), 12.1 percent were categorised as obese (BMI 30+) and four percent were categorised as severely obese, (BMI 35+).

The patients who took part in the study were given blood tests; special penile ultrasounds designed to evaluate blood flow in the penis, and were also interviewed extensively about their sexual health, sex lives and even their mental health.

The findings which were presented by Professor Giovanni Corona at the University of Florence saw a clear link with increasing obesity levels and decreasing testosterone levels. The results also showed that obesity related health conditions such as hypertension were the most likely causes of obesity related impotence.

The researchers concluded that the problem with obesity for men was not one of being self conscious and having a low esteem but a purely physical one. This is different from women whose obesity causes emotional problems which sometimes transforms into sexual function problems.

It is important for men to realise that by being overweight or obese they are greatly increasing their chances of suffering from erectile dysfunction especially as they get older. Men who maintain good erectile function in old age tend to be those who are of a normal weight and physically active.