{"id":869,"date":"2015-02-25T07:49:42","date_gmt":"2015-02-25T07:49:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/?p=869"},"modified":"2015-02-25T07:49:42","modified_gmt":"2015-02-25T07:49:42","slug":"40-of-men-affected-by-ed-are-under-50","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/40-of-men-affected-by-ed-are-under-50\/","title":{"rendered":"40% of men affected by ED are under 50"},"content":{"rendered":"

While popular belief portrays erectile dysfunction (ED) as a problem limited exclusively to the older generation, the latest research on the subject debunks this myth. In fact, an article published less than three weeks ago reported that “ED affects about 10 percent of men in each decade of life” – with 40 percent of men in their 40\u2019s reporting erection problems. (1)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"ED\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Despite the apparent prevalence of erection issues, ED rates in younger men have seldom been reviewed. An earlier pioneering study, published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine<\/em>, proved that men of any age can suffer the often devastating effects of ED. Researchers tested both sociodemographic and clinical differences between ED patients over 40 and those 40 and younger and linked ED to harmful lifestyle habits, finding that those under 40 smoked cigarettes and used illicit drugs more frequently. (2)<\/p>\n

\u201cUndoubtedly, a man\u2019s overall health has a direct effect on sexual performance,\u201d said Robert Drapkin, MD, board-certified physician in internal medicine, medical oncology and palliative care.<\/p>\n

Dr. Drapkin explained that understanding erectile dysfunction begins with knowing how the central and peripheral nervous systems, anatomy, emotions, hormones and blood flow all work together to create an erection. Sexual stimulation causes the release of chemicals that make the smooth muscles of the penis to relax and increase blood flow, which causes an erection. Once the chemicals are no longer released, the erection dissipates. \u201cAny pathology along this process can cause problems relating to sexual health,\u201d he said. \u201cThere are both emotional and physiological causes, but sexual performance problems are often a symptom of an unhealthy lifestyle.\u201d<\/p>\n

While commonly-prescribed pharmaceuticals such as Viagra are a popular approach to treating ED, Dr. Drapkin stresses that drugs are not the sole solution as erectile dysfunction “is very much the result of dietary patterns, and can be an early warning signal of more serious health risks such as heart attack or stroke, which are also diet- and lifestyle-related.” (3) Dr. Drapkin attests that along with many healthcare providers, the general public is unaware of the components of a healthy lifestyle, as demonstrated by the current diabetes epidemic and overuse of many prescription medicines in the U.S. His view is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention\u2019s estimate that 69% of adults over the age of 20 are overweight or obese. (4)<\/p>\n

To reduce the risk of developing erectile dysfunction, Dr. Drapkin recommends adopting a healthy lifestyle – including a vigorous exercise program – rather than solely relying on prescription medications such as Viagra which may help in treating erectile dysfunction along the way, but fail to address the need for the individual to improve their health.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s important to address the causes of the issue, rather than accepting ironic marketing messages that state a medical approach is an acceptable alternative to a healthy lifestyle,\u201d Dr. Drapkin added.<\/p>\n

Dr. Drapkin\u2019s decades of experience, research and study in the fields of diet and exercise have proven beneficial in helping patients treat and prevent an array of medical conditions.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf diet and exercise are not enough,\u201d he stressed, \u201cthen the patient is likely not eating a healthy diet, nor exercising properly. One result\u2014in men of all ages\u2014is erectile dysfunction, which can be addressed or even prevented through a healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition and regular exercise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Robert Drapkin, MD, is a healthcare provider who is board-certified in internal medicine, medical oncology and palliative care. He has been in active medicine practice for over 36 years.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Pearson, Gwen. “GMO Spider Venom May Be the Next Viagra.” N.p., 16 Feb. 2015. Web. 19 Feb. 2015. wired.com\/2015\/02\/gmo-spider-venom-may-be-the-next-viagra\/.<\/li>\n
  2. \u201cOne Patient Out of Four with Newly Diagnosed Erectile Dysfunction is a Young Man\u2014Worrisome Picture from the Everyday Clinical Practice;\u201d The Journal of Sexual Medicine, July, 2013; accessed February 16, 2015. onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1111\/jsm.12179\/abstract;jsessionid=C1069CF0998F858255467C8380FD9176.d02t01.<\/li>\n
  3. Freuman, Tamara. “Can Dietary Changes Improve Erectile Dysfunction?” N.p., 17 Feb. 2015. Web. 19 Feb. 2015. health.usnews.com\/health-news\/blogs\/eat-run\/2015\/02\/17\/can-dietary-changes-improve-erectile-dysfunction.<\/li>\n
  4. \u201cObesity and Overweight;\u201d FastStats Homepage, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, updated January 14, 2015; accessed February 16, 2015. cdc.gov\/nchs\/fastats\/obesity-<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    While popular belief portrays erectile dysfunction (ED) as a problem limited exclusively to the older generation, the latest research on the subject debunks this myth. In fact, an article published less than three weeks ago reported that “ED affects about 10 percent of men in each decade of life” – with 40 percent of men in their 40\u2019s reporting erection problems.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":870,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36,35],"tags":[521,519,520,522],"class_list":["post-869","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-wellness-2","category-wellness-2","tag-ed","tag-erectile-dysfunction","tag-mens-health","tag-the-journal-of-sexual-medicine"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/869","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=869"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/869\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":871,"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/869\/revisions\/871"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/870"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=869"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=869"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zestmag.com\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=869"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}