Erectile dysfunction at 40? It's good to keep an eye on your heart.
Sexual problems are a warning sign for men to be aware of cardiovascular diseases.
By Nicola Ferreira, from the Einstein Agency -Erectile dysfunction, a problem affecting 50% of Brazilian men over 40, according to data from the Brazilian Society of Urology (SBU), can be an early sign of a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and even death, regardless of testosterone levels, the male hormone. This is revealed in a study from the Catholic University of Leuven, in Belgium.
The researchers used information from the European Study of Male Aging, which aimed to investigate, among other things, age-related hormonal changes. They analyzed data from 1913 participants from five medical centers. The relationship between hormone levels and sexual function was verified at the beginning of the research, and it was also checked whether the volunteers were still alive 12 years later.
During this period, 483 men, or 25% of the total, died. In those with normal testosterone levels, the presence of sexual symptoms, especially erectile dysfunction, increased the risk of death by 51% compared to those without this condition. However, in men with low testosterone levels and these symptoms, the probability of death was higher compared to those without any signs of the problem.
The results also showed that impotent men with infrequent morning erections and low libido had a 1,8 times higher risk of death compared to those without these conditions. In the group with only erectile dysfunction, this risk was 1,4 times higher.
Levels of free testosterone, the type most easily used by the body, were lower in participants who died. Not surprisingly, those with the lowest levels of the hormone in its free form had a higher risk of death. According to the study's leader, Leen Antonio, since both vascular disease and low testosterone levels can influence erectile dysfunction, sexual symptoms may be a warning sign for problems such as heart attack and stroke, and consequently, death. "Men with erectile dysfunction should raise a yellow alert about cardiovascular diseases," says urologist Sidney Glina, from the Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital. "It usually appears 4 to 5 years before heart problems."
What is erectile dysfunction?
It is the inability of a man to achieve and maintain a penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity. The problem, which mainly affects men after the age of 40, occurs due to an imbalance in the contraction and relaxation of the smooth muscle of the corpora cavernosa – a pair of structures of erectile tissue that rise during an erection. They resemble sponges and hold most of the blood that goes to the penis when it is hard.
Although more common in older men, it is not limited to them. "Two percent of men with the problem are considered young," says Glina. The causes can be summarized in five points: very low testosterone levels, compromised circulation in the arteries (hence the blood does not reach the penis), problems in the transmission of neurological signals to the male organ, high blood pressure medication, and, mainly, anxiety. These are linked to some risk factors such as psychological disorders and smoking – smoking affects the vascular system and the muscles of the vein and artery walls, hindering blood flow.
“The main treatments vary depending on the cause. If it is psychological, it is necessary to see a therapist or take medication that stimulates erection. In hormonal cases, regular testosterone intake is recommended,” explains the urologist from Einstein Hospital. There are other more invasive methods, such as intracavernous injections of a substance that stimulates blood circulation and, as a last resort, there is the penile prosthesis – a metal rod encased in silicone that is surgically implanted in the corpora cavernosa to simulate an erection.
The diagnosis of erectile dysfunction is still fraught with prejudice, as it affects male sexual performance, something unthinkable for many. Not to mention that it can psychologically affect men and disrupt relationships. However, besides being treatable, it serves as a warning sign to take care of overall health.