Two studies have recently found that having erectile dysfunction may be associated with an increased risk of stroke and cancer.
Risk of Stroke
In the stroke study, researchers followed 1,501 men who had erectile dysfunction and 7,505 controls over five years. Strokes occurred in 12.5 percent of the men who had erectile dysfunction and in 9.7 percent of controls.
The investigators noted that this indicated erectile dysfunction is an indicator for stroke in men. (Chung August 2010)
Risk of Cancer
In another study headed by the same investigator, researchers followed 1,882 men with erectile dysfunction and 9,410 men without erectile dysfunction for five years. Cancer was diagnosed in 2.3 percent of men who had erectile dysfunction and in 1.6 percent of those without the condition. This represented a 42 percent increased risk for cancer among men with erectile dysfunction. The researchers note, however, that information about the participants’ smoking habits was not available, and because smoking is a factor in erectile dysfunction and cancer, it remains a question in this study. (Chung October 2010)
See also
Erectile Dysfunction and Heart Attack Risk
References
Chung SD et al. Increased risk of cancer following erectile dysfunction: a nationwide population-based follow-up study. J Sex Med 2010 Oct 18
Chung SD et al. Increased risk of stroke among men with erectile dysfunction: a nationwide population-based follow-up study. J Sex Med 2010 Aug 13
