Sexual function in men older than 50 years of age: results from the health professionals follow-up study
- PMID: 12899583
- DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-139-3-200308050-00005
Sexual function in men older than 50 years of age: results from the health professionals follow-up study
Abstract
Background: Although many studies have provided data on erectile dysfunction in specific settings, few studies have been large enough to precisely examine age-specific prevalence and correlates.
Objective: To describe the association between age and several aspects of sexual functioning in men older than 50 years of age.
Design: Cross-sectional analysis of data from a prospective cohort study.
Setting: U.S. health professionals.
Participants: 31 742 men, age 53 to 90 years.
Measurements: Questionnaires mailed in 2000 asked about sexual function, physical activity, body weight, smoking, marital status, medical conditions, and medications. Previous biennial questionnaires since 1986 asked about date of birth, alcohol intake, and other health information.
Results: When men with prostate cancer were excluded, the age-standardized prevalence of erectile dysfunction in the previous 3 months was 33%. Many aspects of sexual function (including overall function, desire, orgasm, and overall ability) decreased sharply by decade after 50 years of age. Physical activity was associated with lower risk for erectile dysfunction (multivariable relative risk, 0.7 [95% CI, 0.6 to 0.7] for >32.6 metabolic equivalent hours of exercise per week vs. 0 to 2.7 metabolic equivalent hours of exercise per week), and obesity was associated with higher risk (relative risk, 1.3 [CI, 1.2 to 1.4] for body mass index >28.7 kg/m2 vs. <23.2 kg/m2). Smoking, alcohol consumption, and television viewing time were also associated with increased prevalence of erectile dysfunction. Men who had no chronic medical conditions and engaged in healthy behaviors had the lowest prevalence.
Conclusions: Several modifiable health behaviors were associated with maintenance of good erectile function, even after comorbid conditions were considered. Lifestyle factors most strongly associated with erectile dysfunction were physical activity and leanness.
Comment in
-
Summaries for patients. Sexual function in men older than 50 years of age.Ann Intern Med. 2003 Aug 5;139(3):I22. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-139-3-200308050-00001. Ann Intern Med. 2003. PMID: 12899602 No abstract available.
Similar articles
-
Modifiable risk factors and erectile dysfunction: can lifestyle changes modify risk?Urology. 2000 Aug 1;56(2):302-6. doi: 10.1016/s0090-4295(00)00614-2. Urology. 2000. PMID: 10925098
-
A prospective study of risk factors for erectile dysfunction.J Urol. 2006 Jul;176(1):217-21. doi: 10.1016/S0022-5347(06)00589-1. J Urol. 2006. PMID: 16753404
-
Influence of age and changes over time on erectile dysfunction: results from two large cross-sectional surveys 11 years apart.Scand J Urol. 2013 Jun;47(3):198-205. doi: 10.3109/00365599.2012.726644. Epub 2012 Oct 4. Scand J Urol. 2013. PMID: 23035670
-
Sexual dysfunction and the Mediterranean diet.Public Health Nutr. 2006 Dec;9(8A):1118-20. doi: 10.1017/S1368980007668542. Public Health Nutr. 2006. PMID: 17378950 Review.
-
Beneficial impact of exercise and obesity interventions on erectile function and its risk factors.J Sex Med. 2009 Mar;6 Suppl 3:254-61. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.01143.x. J Sex Med. 2009. PMID: 19170860 Review.
Cited by
-
Is erectile dysfunction associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis? Insights from a population-based study.Sex Med. 2024 Jun 2;12(3):qfae028. doi: 10.1093/sexmed/qfae028. eCollection 2024 Jun. Sex Med. 2024. PMID: 38827361 Free PMC article.
-
Genetic liability to inflammatory bowel disease is causally associated with increased risk of erectile dysfunction: Evidence from a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.Front Genet. 2024 May 9;15:1334972. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1334972. eCollection 2024. Front Genet. 2024. PMID: 38784037 Free PMC article.
-
Higher oxidative balance score was associated with decreased risk of erectile dysfunction: a population-based study.Nutr J. 2024 May 17;23(1):54. doi: 10.1186/s12937-024-00956-y. Nutr J. 2024. PMID: 38760760 Free PMC article.
-
Prevalence and predictors of erectile dysfunction among men in the diabetes prevention program outcomes study.J Diabetes Complications. 2024 Feb;38(2):108669. doi: 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2023.108669. Epub 2023 Dec 29. J Diabetes Complications. 2024. PMID: 38219334 Clinical Trial.
-
Circadian disturbance induces erectile dysfunction by impairing endothelial function.Asian J Androl. 2023 Dec 1;26(2):205-11. doi: 10.4103/aja202345. Online ahead of print. Asian J Androl. 2023. PMID: 38048170 Free PMC article.
Publication types
MeSH terms
Grants and funding
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Medical