Men with erectile dysfunction (ED) who display signs of depression may have a higher risk of developing heart problems, according to a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
During a recent trial, researchers surveyed more than 2,000 men about their sexual health. While interviewing the participants, the investigators also monitored the men for depression-related symptoms.
The findings showed that the participants who were diagnosed with ED and depression were more likely to suffer from cardiovascular complications, which could lead to a higher mortality rate. Also, the researchers found that taking antidepressants wasnt linked to the increased risk of developing these health problems.
Irwin Goldstein, editor-in-chief of the journal and director of sexual medicine at Alvarado Hospital in San Diego, stated that “the broader concept of the sexual medicine problem [is] no longer being just about a mans performance in the bedroom, but about his psychological mood and his cardiovascular health.” He added that “this is a valid reason for a woman to encourage her partner to seek help for his erectile dysfunction.”
While depression symptoms have been linked to developing ED, the team concluded that physicians who treat men with ED should also screen their patients for the mood disorder to improve cardiac health.
Currently, an estimated 30 million men in the United States have been diagnosed with ED, according to the Minnesota Mens Health Center.