Sexual weakness is a harbinger of heart problems
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a sexual disorder that manifests itself in the inability of a man to achieve and maintain an erection sufficient to perform sexual intercourse.
Erectile dysfunction is a common disease, the number of sufferers with which it increases with age. In the world there are about 150 million men with a similar diagnosis. There are suggestions that this figure may double over the next 25 years.
Scientists have established a clear link between the violation of sexual activity and risk factors for cardiac activity. Erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular diseases often accompany each other, and this turns ED into a point of contact between doctors of various specialties.
If a patient has a complaint about a violation of sexual function, then the likelihood that this is a consequence of cardiovascular diseases is high.
Despite the fact that the main cause of dysfunction is old age, specialists identify different cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension, smoking, dyslipidemia, diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Head of the research team, Professor of the Department of Urology at the Medical Center of Rush University, Chicago, Ajay Nera worked on studying this problem in collaboration with a group of 20 experts.
According to the study, men under 55 years with a violation of erectile function, are at risk of cardiovascular disease. But the most dangerous are young men after thirty years.
Experts say that in patients with a diagnosis of erectile dysfunction, cardiovascular diseases can be detected within two to five years. Consideration of erectile dysfunction as an early sign of cardiovascular pathologies provides an opportunity for prevention and timely medical assistance. "Men with this sexual disorder need to undergo a test that will determine the causes of the disease. The disease can be a consequence of psychogenic or organic dysfunction. In case of detection of psychogenic reasons, the patient goes to a sexologist or psychotherapist. The main goal in the treatment of erectile dysfunction is the definition of the etiology of the disease and its treatment, and not the elimination of the symptoms of the disease, "the professor emphasizes.
Observations of 500 patients showed that men with erectile dysfunction should be examined for testosterone deficiency and metabolic syndrome. Scientists believe that these factors can also be the causes of impotence. Testosterone is a natural regulator of male activity in the genital area. It is this hormone that stimulates the erection, libido and ejaculation processes, and its low level leads to a loss of sexual desire, the ability to get an orgasm and a normal erection.
For the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and as a consequence of erectile dysfunction, doctors are advised to lead a healthy lifestyle and regularly undergo a medical examination.
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