Lifestyle reduction of cardiovascular risk factors improves erectile dysfunction

While hormone balance, autonomic nervous system function, anatomic and other factors are necessary aspects of case management for erectile dysfunction, the capacity of the local vascular system to regulate blood delivery to the tissues of interest is as important for sexual as it is for cardiac function. No wonder a paper just published in the Archives of Internal Medicine provides evidence that lifestyle modification of cardiovascular function improves erectile dysfunction. The authors state:

"Erectile dysfunction (ED) shares similar modifiable risks factors with coronary artery disease (CAD). Lifestyle modification that targets CAD risk factors may also lead to improvement in ED. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of lifestyle interventions and pharmacotherapy for cardiovascular (CV) risk factors on the severity of ED."

They examined multiple electronic databases from randomized controlled clinical trials with follow-up of at least 6 weeks of lifestyle modification intervention or pharmacotherapy for cardiovascular risk factor reduction. Their main outcome measure was differences in the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF-5) score. Their data demonstrated significant effectiveness:

"A total of 740 participants from 6 clinical trials in 4 countries were identified. Lifestyle modifications and pharmacotherapy for CV risk factors were associated with statistically significant improvement in sexual function (IIEF-5 score): weighted mean difference, 2.66. If the trials with statin intervention (n = 143) are excluded, the remaining 4 trials of lifestyle modification interventions (n = 597) demonstrate statistically significant improvement in sexual function: weighted mean difference, 2.40."

Readers may wish to search this site for several reports on the cautions and limitations associated with statin use. There are, however, no risks associated with skillful lifestyle modification of CV risk factors. The authors conclude:

"The results of our study further strengthen the evidence that lifestyle modification and pharmacotherapy for CV risk factors are effective in improving sexual function in men with ED."