Smoking and Obesity May Lead to Erectile Dysfunction

A long-term study that followed22,000 US men for 14 years found thatsmoking and obesity increased a man'slikelihood of developing erectile dysfunction(ED). Obese men were 90%more likely to develop ED and smokerswere 50% more likely. Men who exercisedthe most were 30% less likelythan sedentary men to develop EDover a 14-year period. While oncethought to be mostly psychological innature, it has been shown that ED hasmany of the same risk factors as heartdisease. Anything that impairs bloodflow can have an effect on erectilefunction just as it would have on heartfunction. The coauthor of the study,Eric B. Rimm, ScD, Harvard UniversitySchool of Public Health, suggested thatthis study may prompt men to makecertain lifestyle changes. The studywas published in a recent issue of theJournal of Urology.

Ms. Farley is a freelance medicalwriter based in Wakefield, RI.