Is aerobic exercise as effective as Viagra?

Dr. Mehran Movassaghi, a urologist who was not involved in the study, explained that cardiovascular health is closely related to ED:

“(ED) is essentially like a 10-year prelude to a potential decline in cardiovascular disease. If you have erection problems in your 30s or 40s, the most important thing is not to take Viagra or Cialis, but to check your lipids.”

He explained that the atherosclerotic disease that causes stroke and myocardial infarction is the same thing that occurs in the penile vasculature. However, because this vasculature is relatively small, its effects become apparent and symptoms appear earlier.

“I’m kind of joking when I say to my patients, ‘You can tell a lot about a man’s mind by looking at his penis,'” Dr. Mowasaj noted.

“You know, in a sense, if they have healthy erections, they probably have good cardiovascular health,” he added.

He added that cardiovascular disease risk factors such as hypertension, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia and diabetes are also risk factors for ED.

Some men develop ED as a result of radical prostatectomy, which can cause muscle damage that can lead to ED. The study’s corresponding author, Dr. Larry E. Miller, said the single radical prostatectomy study included in the meta-study analysis “was not sufficient to allow us to fully explore the specific effects of aerobic exercise on this subgroup of patients.”

Most ED drugs, including Viagra and Cialis, are PDE5 or phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors. PDE5 inhibitors block the action of phosphodiesterase 5, an enzyme that increases nitric oxide activity and relaxes the smooth muscles of the penis. When the smooth muscles relax for an extended period of time, the penis becomes engorged with blood.

“Some patients are unable to use PDE5 inhibitors due to medical contraindications or intolerance of side effects,” Dr. Miller noted.

Dr. Movassage explains that such drugs “do not just selectively act on smooth muscle and the penis. They also act on smooth muscles in different parts of the body.” The result can be a dramatic drop in blood pressure, as well as “gastroesophageal reflux disease or Gastric reflux disease, because the lower esophageal sphincter in the esophagus is also controlled by smooth muscle.”

PDE5 inhibitors may also cause sinusitis and headaches.

At the same time, PDE5 drugs are also used to treat pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary vascular blood pressure.

“For many years,” says Dr. Miller, “exercise was underutilized in the treatment of ED due to a lack of research on its efficacy. But now we can confidently say that aerobic exercise can improve erectile function in a clinically meaningful way.”

There were differences in the amount of exercise assessed across all trials analyzed in the meta-study. However, Dr. Miller says most people get 30 to 60 minutes of aerobic exercise three to five days a week.

These physical activity levels are consistent with recommendations from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Individuals who are unable to achieve these goals should be physically active as their abilities and conditions permit,” Dr. Miller said.

Since ED is linked to cardiovascular health, same type of physical activity Heart-healthy substances can also help reduce ED.

Dr. Miller points out that when it comes to sexual performance, exercise has more benefits than ED, including increased libido, improved stamina and improved self-confidence.

The study’s authors also found that in addition to aerobic exercise, “exercises that target the pelvic floor, such as Kegel exercises, may also improve sexual endurance by improving muscle control, potentially leading to longer-lasting sexual activity and enhanced sexual performance.” Orgasmic reaction.”

“This study provides the first level 1 evidence from a meta-analysis of randomized trials supporting the efficacy of aerobic exercise in improving erectile function,” Dr. Miller said.

“Physicians can now confidently tell their patients that regular aerobic exercise is a proven approach, supported by high-quality data from randomized studies.”

He added that exercise should be a first-line intervention for treating ED because it is low-risk, affordable, and suitable for those who do not or cannot take PED5 medications.

“This meta-analysis provides physicians with the evidence they need to strongly encourage exercise as part of a comprehensive approach to treating erectile dysfunction.”