“I give you bitter pills in sugar-coating. The pills are harmless, the poison is in the sugar”
Stanislaw Jerzy Lec

In our continuing series of blogs in June dedicated to Men’s Health Month today’s post will examine the relationship between erectile dysfunction (ED) and undiagnosed diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

A research group in Canada looked at data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) during 2001-2004. The NHANES is designed to be a retrospective survey of the U.S. population. Researchers studied more than 4500 men ages 20 and older.

Researchers examined the association of ED with undiagnosed diabetes, undiagnosed high blood pressure, and undiagnosed high cholesterol amongst the sample of 4500 men.

ED was found to be strongly associated with undiagnosed diabetes, and in particular in men ages 40-59 years old. In the 40-59 year old age group undiagnosed diabetes was present in 19.1% of men with ED, whereas diabetes was present in only 3.3% of men without ED. Interestingly there was no statistically significant relationship between undiagnosed high blood pressure and ED, or undiagnosed high cholesterol and ED.

Given this convincing data men who develop ED should strongly consider being tested for diabetes.

(Source- Annals of Family Medicine, Vol. 13, No. 4)

This blog is a review of medical and scientific literature, and should only be used for informational purposes. It does not constitute medical or health advice, nor does it create a physician-patient relationship with anyone. Discuss any health concerns with your personal physician.