Valentine’s Day Getting You Down

Erectile dysfunction might not just be affecting your relationship, it could be a sign of something deadly.

Erectile Dysfunction affects as many as 30 million men and might be a sign of cardiovascular disease

BALTIMORE, February 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Valentine’s Day is typically a day of celebrating the love between two people, but it can also come with added pressures in the bedroom, which can lead to disappointing results. Erectile dysfunction is the most common sexual health problem men report to their doctors.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the inability to achieve and maintain an erection firm enough for sex. It is estimated to affect 30 million men in the US. In many men, ED may also be a serious messenger of life-threatening cardiovascular conditions.

Erectile dysfunction can be an important cardiovascular disease risk factor men should pay attention to. Much like smoking or having a family history of heart disease, including heart attacks, ED can be an early warning sign of current or future heart problems. Because the penile arteries are smaller than the cardiac arteries, plaque formation may often show up first as ED. Previous research has shown that among men who seek help for ED, nearly 20% had undiagnosed high blood pressure, 15% had diabetes and 5% already had significant coronary artery disease.

“Healthy lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, losing excess weight and increasing physical activity may help some men with ED regain sexual function or at least prevent further worsening,” said Harris M. Nagler, MD, President of the Urology Care Foundation. “Erectile dysfunction is a very common and treatable urologic condition. Men shouldn’t be afraid to visit their urologist to get help.”

For more information on erectile dysfunction treatments and to find a urologist near, you visit www.urologyhealth.org.

About the Urology Care Foundation:The Urology Care Foundation is the world's leading nonprofit urological health foundation, and the official foundation of the American Urological Association. Partnering with physicians, researchers, healthcare professionals, patients, caregivers, families and the public, the Foundation supports and improves urologic clinical care by funding research, developing patient education and pursuing philanthropic support. To learn more about the Urology Care Foundation and its programs visit: www.urologyhealth.org.

About the American Urological Association:Founded in 1902 and headquartered near Baltimore, Maryland, the American Urological Association is a leading advocate for the specialty of urology and has nearly 23,000 members throughout the world. The AUA is a premier urologic association, providing invaluable support to the urologic community as it pursues its mission of fostering the highest standards of urologic care through education, research and the formulation of health policy.

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