A new study suggests that older men who suffer from restless leg syndrome (RLS) may also be at risk for erectile dysfunction.

A new study published in the journal Sleep suggests that erectile dysfunction was 16 percent more prevalent in men who suffered from restless leg syndrome symptoms between five and 14 times a month. Similarly, those who had RLS symptoms more than 15 times a year were 78 percent more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction.

The study conducted a survey of 23,119 men with an average age of 69. It was found that 4 percent of men suffered from restless leg syndrome and 41 percent had erectile dysfunction.

The prevalence of erectile dysfunction increased with age. Researchers noted that both problems relate to the nervous system, posing as a link.

“The mechanisms underlying the association between RLS and erectile dysfunction could be caused by hypofunctioning of dopamine in the central nervous system, which is associated with both conditions,” said lead author Xiang Gao.

such as zinc and vitamin C may help improve erectile function.