Weight loss improves erectile dysfunction.

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Before 1998 the subject of erectile dysfunction was not mentioned in social conversation and it was a subject that people did not discuss. You may now wonder what happened in 1998 that made this subject more open. In 1998 Pfizer introduced Viagra to the public and frenzy ensued. People could not get enough of the pill. But this is not an article about Viagra. I use Viagra to make the point that erectile dysfunction is a real problem that affects a significant section of the population. Not only are men affected but women by default miss out as well. Erectile dysfunction affects around 12 percent of men under 59 years old, and increases in frequency with age. There are numerous factors that contribute to this disorder including diabetes, vascular disease and obesity.

Being overweight is associated with many medical conditions. One of these conditions is erectile dysfunction. It is estimated that people with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 28 (if your are 180cm this means being more than 91 kg in weight) have a 30 percent higher chance of having erectile dysfunction compared with people of ideal body weight. This risk factor is independent of any other medical disorders that may contribute to erectile dysfunction.

The question therefore arises; if you lose the weight will your erectile dysfunction improve? This has been the subject of a few studies. It appears as if losing weight is associated with improved sexual function. It seems as if the sexual function gets better the more weight is lost.

In conclusion erectile dysfunction is a major problem for both genders. If you are overweight and things are faltering in the bedroom, you may get further motivated to lose weight knowing that your sexual function will improve if you lose the weight.

 

Dr. Bernard Beldholm