Last Updated on Thursday, 19 February 2009 05:07

Dr. Ridwan Shabsigh, MD, the director of the Division of Urology at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, and an associate professor of urology at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, explains the connection between abdominal obesity, decreased testosterone levels and erectile dysfunction. 

Abdominal Obesity Decreases Testosterone Levels

Abdominal obesity or a fatty abdomen causes a decrease in the male hormone, testosterone. This causes a decrease in sexual desire, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, decreased muscle mass and weak muscles.

According to a study presented at the American Urological Association, men who are overweight have an increased chance of suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED) than their slimmer counterparts. The study was conducted by Eric Rimm, an associate professor of epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health and his colleagues.

They found that men with a waistline of 42 inches or more had double the probability of having ED when compared to men with a 32 inch waistline. The study included almost 2,000 men in the age group of 51–88 years and showed that about 34% of the participants suffered from moderate-to-severe ED. These men were not only overweight, but also tended to be lethargic, and suffered from other ailments like increased blood pressure and cholesterol.

Inactive Men Also At Risk

The study demonstrated that even after adjusting for factors like increasing age, smoking and being hypertensive, men who had a bigger waistline were at an increased risk of suffering from ED. Additionally, the data showed that inactive men were more likely to suffer from ED than their counterparts who exercised at least for half an hour everyday.

According to Dr. Rimm, certain lifestyle factors restrict the blood flow to the genital areas, similar to factors causing atherosclerosis (arterial wall thickening which occurs due to accumulation of cholesterol and fat) or those which cause a reduction in blood supply to the heart.

Weight Loss Increases Libido

Weight loss has shown to increase libido, even when no medication is incorporated. Dr. Shabsigh says that even with a 10% weight reduction, there is an improvement in the hormonal function.

Dr. Rimm opines that there is very little research on the effects of lifestyle on ED, and he hopes that the findings of his study will shift the focus of management of ED from medication to that of consuming a healthy diet and exercising regularly.