Sexual Function in Older Men

Bacon CG, Mittleman MA, Kawachi I, et al: Sexual function in men older than 50 years of age: results from the health professionals follow-up study. Ann Intern Med 2003;139(3):161-68.

The authors evaluated data from questionnaires mailed to 43,235 men aged 53 to 90. Among the 31,742 male health care professionals who responded, excluding men with prostate cancer, the prevalence of erectile dysfunction in the previous 3 months was 33%. Seventy-four percent of the men younger than 59 and 10% of men older than 80 rated sexual function as good or very good. For healthy men, as well as those with chronic diseases, there were progressive and sharp decreases in overall function and ability, orgasm, and desire during each decade after 50 years of age. Physical activity was associated with lower risk for erectile dysfunction. Obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, multiple medical conditions and medications, and television viewing time were associated with increased prevalence of erectile dysfunction. Although this study is the largest to date in the United States, its results may not apply to the entire population of older U.S. men. If future studies confirm a cause and effect relationship, men may be able to change behavior to maintain erectile function by staying thin, avoiding smoking, and staying physically active.