Sexual dysfunction, in particular erectile dysfunction, is a common complaint among aging men. Obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and smoking are shown to be independent risk factors for erectile dysfunction, while cardiorespiratory fitness is shown to be protective. Less is known about the role of muscle strength in male sexual function. Our objective was to study the association between male sexual function and typical cardiovascular risk factors, together with exercise and muscle strength. We included data from the fourth wave of the RHINE study. Data on anthropometrics, exercise habits, diseases, muscle strength, and sexual function were collected using questionnaires, including the Aging Males' Symptoms (AMS) scale. We used multivariable logistic regression analysis to measure the association between sexual function and body mass index (BMI), age, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, exercise and muscle strength status. We included 2116 men aged 48-75 from four Nordic-Baltic countries. BMI, age, smoking, diabetes, and hypertension were found to be associated with higher odds of reporting decreased sexual function, while reporting intact muscle strength was associated with lower odds. In a large Nordic-Baltic male study population, we show that known cardiovascular risk factors are associated with decreased sexual function, while reporting intact muscle strength is associated with lower odds of reporting decreased sexual function.
Journal of clinical medicine. 2024 Jan 12*** epublish ***
Anders Flataker Viken, Silver Peeter Siiak, Vivi Schlünssen, Elin Helga Thorarinsdottir, Svein Magne Skulstad, Sanjay Gyawali, Randi Jacobsen Bertelsen, Francisco Gómez Real
Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5021 Bergen, Norway., Tartu University Andrology Centre, 50406 Tartu, Estonia., Research Unit for Environment, Occupation and Health, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark., Primary Health Care of the Capital Area, 103 Reykjavik, Iceland., Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021 Bergen, Norway.