Effect of Lifestyle Changes on Erectile Dysfunction in Obese Men

Abstract

Context Healthy lifestyle factors are associated with maintenance of erectile function in men.Objective To determine the effect of weight loss and increased physical activity on erectile and endothelial functions in obese men.Design, Setting, and Patients Randomized, single-blind trial of 110 obese men (body mass index Ն30) aged 35 to 55 years, without diabetes, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia, who had erectile dysfunction that was determined by having a score of 21 or less on the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). The study was conducted from October 2000 to October 2003 at a university hospital in Italy. InterventionsThe 55 men randomly assigned to the intervention group received detailed advice about how to achieve a loss of 10% or more in their total body weight by reducing caloric intake and increasing their level of physical activity. Men in the control group (n=55) were given general information about healthy food choices and exercise. Main Outcomes MeasuresErectile function score, levels of cholesterol and tryglycerides, circulating levels of interleukin 6, interleukin 8, and C-reactive protein, and endothelial function as assessed by vascular responses to L-arginine.Results After 2 years, body mass index decreased more in the intervention group (from a mean [SD] of 36.9 [2.5] to 31.2 [2.1]) than in the control group (from 36.4 [2.3] to 35.7 [2.5]) (PϽ.001), as did serum concentrations of interleukin 6 (P=.03), and Creactive protein (P=.02). The mean (SD) level of physical activity increased more in the intervention group (from 48 [10] to 195 [36] min/wk; PϽ.001) than in the control group (from 51 [9] to 84 [28] min/wk; PϽ.001). The mean (SD) IIEF score improved in the intervention group (from 13.9 [4.0] to 17 [5]; PϽ.001), but remained stable in the control group (from 13.5 [4.0] to 13.6 [4.1]; P=.89). Seventeen men in the intervention group and 3 in the control group (P=.001) reported an IIEF score of 22 or higher. In multivariate analyses, changes in body mass index (P=.02), physical activity (P=.02), and C-reactive protein (P=.03) were independently associated with changes in IIEF score. ConclusionLifestyle changes are associated with improvement in sexual function in about one third of obese men with erectile dysfunction at baseline.

Erectile dysfunction in severe sleep apnea patients and response to CPAP

“…13 It is evident that obese men have a higher incidence of ED affecting their sexual life. 20 Esposito et al 21 found that loss of 10% or more total body weight by reducing calorie intake and increasing levels of physical activity had a higher rate of weight loss and improvement in ED than in controls. Because OSAS is often seen in obese patients, the risk of ED is frequent in these cases.…”

Body mass index, physical activity and erectile dysfunction: An U-shaped relationship from population-based study

“…24 However not many population-based epidemiological studies measured BMI, and for those that did, the study focus was usually obesity not underweight. Our results show that the ED risk in underweight (OR ¼ 2.99) individuals were comparable and possibly higher than those who were obese (OR ¼ 2.47) among men with no exercise.…”

Lifestyle and metabolic approaches to maximizing erectile and vascular health

“…12 In 110 obese men without diabetes, hypertension or dyslipidemia, ED was strongly correlated with waist/hip ratio and was significantly improved with weight loss and increased activity, which lowered glucose, insulin, waist/hip ratio, blood pressure and triglycerides, and increased endothelial NO production. 13 In obese men, increased insulin sensitivity, induced by diet and vigorous activity and reflected by reduced circulating insulin, was very strongly correlated with increased NO production (r ¼ 0.83). 14 …”