Men - Move It or Lose It

Exercise prevents erectile dysfunction

Good news for men who exercise, and good reason to get moving now if you don't. Men who exercise 3-5 hours a week have 30% less risk of having erectile dysfunction (impotence). The Harvard Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS) published this finding in the "Annals of Internal Medicine" August 5, 2003.

Heart Health Shows in Erectile Function

The cardiovascular system is responsible for erectile function, so problems with circulation and heart disease often show up early as erectile dysfunction. Exercise, especially walking, running, biking and other cardiovascular exercises, reduces the risk of heart disease and maintains circulation.

Most Men at Risk for Erectile Dysfunction

The large study of over 31,000 men who did not have prostate cancer, aged 53-90, is significant. One third of the men reported having erectile dysfunction in the previous three months. The risk goes up 5% a year after age 50. The study showed that regular exercise can mean 10 more years free of erectile dysfunction for the average man. Previous studies have found exercise to reduce the risk of prostate cancer, treatment for which can also result in erectile dysfunction.

Other Risk Factors You Can Change

Besides inactivity, other risk factors that men can change include obesity and smoking. Men can greatly reduce their risk of erectile dysfunction by regular cardiovascular exercise, losing weight, and not smoking.

A Way to Get Moving

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