Erectile dysfunction could be reversed sans medicines

Researchers have said that by focusing on lifestyle factors and not just relying on medication, men suffering from sexual dysfunction can be successful at reversing their problem.

The University of Adelaide researchers highlight the incidence of erectile dysfunction and lack of sexual desire among Australian men aged 35-80 years.

Over a five-year period, 31 per cent of the 810 men involved in the study developed some form of erectile dysfunction.

Professor Gary Wittert, Head of the Discipline of Medicine at the University of Adelaide and Director of the University's Freemasons Foundation Centre for Men's Health, said that their study also found that a large proportion of men were naturally overcoming erectile dysfunction issues.

He said that the remission rate of those with erectile dysfunction was 29 per cent, which is very high. This shows that many of these factors affecting men are modifiable, offering them an opportunity to do something about their condition.

The lead author of the paper, Dr Sean Martin from the University of Adelaide's Freemasons Foundation Centre for Men's Health, says: "Even when medication to help with erectile function is required, it is likely to be considerably more effective if lifestyle factors are also addressed.

The new paper has been published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.