The combination of high bad cholesterol and aging is discouraging for men. Studies have shown that these two factors together significantly impact male sexual life, triggering erectile dysfunction to a greater or lesser extent. "It is common to associate cholesterol problems with the heart. We forget that our body functions systemically. So, yes, elevated LDL levels can reduce male sexual potency," explained endocrinologist Gisele Lorenzoni.
According to the doctor, this happens because elevated bad cholesterol, also known as LDL (low-density lipoprotein), triggers a negative effect on blood flow to the genital organs. "The buildup of fatty plaques in the arteries, a consequence of high cholesterol, can restrict blood flow to the genital organs, making adequate sexual response difficult. Additionally, high cholesterol is often associated with underlying conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, which can also contribute to erectile dysfunction and other sexual problems," she detailed.
Therefore, Gisele Lorenzoni emphasizes the need to adopt a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and weight control, to reduce LDL cholesterol levels and improve sexual function. "But there are cases where it is necessary to medicate the patient for better cholesterol control. So seek a doctor to evaluate the best way to treat the problem," she stressed.
The research
A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine in 2014 is one of the most recent and examined the relationship between erectile dysfunction and LDL cholesterol in a sample of men with an average age of 49 years. The results showed that men with erectile dysfunction had significantly higher levels of LDL cholesterol compared to those without the condition.
Another study in the Massachusetts Male Aging Study (MMAS) investigated men aged 40 to 70 years in the United States. The results indicated an increase in cases of erectile dysfunction as age advances: 12.4 new cases are recorded each year for every thousand men at age 40; 29.8 annual cases per 1000 individuals at age 50, and 46.4 new patients at age 60.
--According to the doctor, this happens because elevated bad cholesterol, also known as LDL (low-density lipoprotein), triggers a negative effect on blood flow to the genital organs. "The buildup of fatty plaques in the arteries, a consequence of high cholesterol, can restrict blood flow to the genital organs, making adequate sexual response difficult. Additionally, high cholesterol is often associated with underlying conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, which can also contribute to erectile dysfunction and other sexual problems," she detailed.
Therefore, Gisele Lorenzoni emphasizes the need to adopt a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and weight control, to reduce LDL cholesterol levels and improve sexual function. "But there are cases where it is necessary to medicate the patient for better cholesterol control. So seek a doctor to evaluate the best way to treat the problem," she stressed.
The research
A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine in 2014 is one of the most recent and examined the relationship between erectile dysfunction and LDL cholesterol in a sample of men with an average age of 49 years. The results showed that men with erectile dysfunction had significantly higher levels of LDL cholesterol compared to those without the condition.
Another study in the Massachusetts Male Aging Study (MMAS) investigated men aged 40 to 70 years in the United States. The results indicated an increase in cases of erectile dysfunction as age advances: 12.4 new cases are recorded each year for every thousand men at age 40; 29.8 annual cases per 1000 individuals at age 50, and 46.4 new patients at age 60.
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