Erectile Dysfunction and Other Health Conditions

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is common — estimates put the number of affected men at 30 million to 50 million in the United States (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) and more than 150 million worldwide (Aytaç, McKinlay, and Krane, BJU International, 1999). Beyond those numbers, ED frequently sits alongside other major health conditions and can be an early vascular warning sign.

Cardiovascular disease and ED

Smoking, obesity, and hypertension are shared risk factors for ED and cardiovascular disease (CVD). ED can appear years before a clinical cardiovascular event. For clinician-facing detail, see ED and cardiovascular risk.

Hypertension

About 29.1% of U.S. adults had hypertension in 2011–2012 (National Center for Health Statistics, NHANES). Many men with ED also have hypertension.

Dyslipidemia

Abnormal blood lipid levels are also associated with ED. A large share of U.S. adults have dyslipidemia, and a substantial portion of men with ED have abnormal lipids as well.

Diabetes

Reported ED prevalence in diabetic men varies widely with diabetes severity and duration. As diabetes incidence rises, ED diagnoses in this group are expected to rise with it. See diabetes and erectile dysfunction.

Other comorbid conditions

ED often coexists with depression, premature ejaculation, and lower urinary tract symptoms from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Men who present with any of these should be asked about erectile function as part of routine care.

ED is a sexual-health problem and a marker of broader health. Finding it is a reason to look for cardiovascular, metabolic, and mood-related conditions, not to stop at the erectile complaint alone.

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