Impotence related to age my improve over time
According to researchers, about one-third of older men suffering from erectile dysfunction will experience natural remission (symptoms will become less severe, however will not disappear completely).
Unfortunately, the researchers also underline, that another third will experience a worsening of this condition over time.
It can’t be denied that erectile dysfunction has received increased attention in recent years. The condition affects 150 million men who are supported with pharmacotherapy (for instance Viagra). However, the great scale of the problem doesn’t mean that we have a sufficient knowledge concerning the natural course of erectile dysfunction after onset.
Researchers started an investigation, analyzing data for 401 men between 40 and 70 years old with varying degrees of erectile dysfunction who were followed for about nine years as part of the longitudinal Massachusetts Male Ageing Study.
According to Dr Thomas G. Travison from New England Research Institutes in Watertown, Massachusetts, “the key and most surprising” thing observed was the proportion of men who showed natural erectile dysfunction remission.
Symptoms of erectile dysfunction improved during follow-up in a total of 141 men or 35 percent.
Unfortunately, of 323 subjects with minimal or moderate erectile dysfunction, 107 (33 percent) experienced a worsening of erectile dysfunction symptoms. Of 78 men with complete impotence, 45 (58 percent) experienced no changes at the end of follow-up.
The study showed certain regularity concerning the natural course of erectile dysfunction. Namely, the chance of remission seem to decline with age and is lower among heavier subjects.
Of course smoking and poor general health additionally increase the chance of worsening the symptoms.
As indicated by Dr Travison, “The most important implication of this work is that it confirms that maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle as one gets older is critical for maintaining, and in some cases improving, male sexual function.”