December 28, 2024, 4:05 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
If men can’t achieve an erection and, therefore, are unable to have sex, they often experience significant distress. Occasional erectile dysfunction is quite common. However, if the symptoms become more frequent, it may be a case of erectile dysfunction (ED), the cause of which can be clarified by a doctor. Viagra is then often prescribed for treatment. However, it appears there is a treatment method nearly as effective as the ‘blue pill’: exercise. A meta-analysis reveals which types of exercise are beneficial for those affected.
According to the Center for Erectile Dysfunction, around 20 percent of all men experience persistent erectile dysfunction requiring treatment over the course of their lives.1 Erectile dysfunction (ED) most commonly occurs in older age (from around 65 years of age), but younger men can also be affected according to Statista.2 Depending on the cause, there are various treatment options, including surgical procedures or psychotherapy. A vacuum erection pump can also be a sensible solution. Medication is often used for treatment, for example, with the well-known active ingredient sildenafil, which is also contained in Viagra.3 What is not officially considered a treatment method is exercise. However, as with many diseases, it obviously plays an important role here too. More precisely, endurance sport is said to be so effective for those affected that they may even be able to do without medication for erectile dysfunction.
Overview
Meta-Analysis Examines the Impact of Endurance Sports on Erectile Dysfunction
The positive influence of endurance training on health has been proven in numerous studies. Whether it’s cancer, fatty liver, or mental decline – cardiovascular exercise can provide a certain level of protection against diseases.4,5 Researchers thus questioned whether this form of exercise could also aid in managing ED and sought answers through various studies.
US scientists evaluated eleven such studies in a meta-analysis. Using statistical analysis methods, they determined the correlation between endurance sports or the lack of endurance sports in control groups and the occurrence and severity of erectile dysfunction. To determine the severity of the condition, the scientists used the International Index of Erectile Function (IEF-EF), as explained in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, in which the study was published in 2023.6 This is a questionnaire that provides a score that can be used to diagnose erectile dysfunction and its severity.7 The IEF-EF is given on a scale of 6 to 30, with higher values indicating better erectile function. Correspondingly, lower scores indicate a higher severity of erectile dysfunction.
Does Prolonged Sexual Abstinence Contribute to Erectile Dysfunction?
We asked Dr. Christoph Pies, a urology specialist, this question for another FITBOOK article. He confirmed that erectile dysfunction can develop if the penis does not become erect for a long time. Due to the lack of blood flow, the erectile tissue can “atrophy” in the long term. Pies explains that abstinence can lead to changes in the muscles in the genitals and scarring in the erectile tissue.
Endurance Training Can Improve Erectile Function
The researchers’ analysis showed that endurance exercise in the eleven studies analyzed – compared to the control groups without endurance exercise – led to significant improvements in the IEF-EF described above. The effect was greater in men who had lower baseline values and thus a higher severity of erectile dysfunction than in men with a lower severity of the disease (indicated by higher IEF-EF baseline values).
Improvement in Score Results with Endurance Exercise
- On average, the score improved by 2.8 points.
- In men with mild dysfunction, the score improved by 2.3 points.
- The score improved by 3.3 points in those with a moderate degree of ED.
- Men who had severe erectile dysfunction at the start of the study in which they took part enjoyed a score improvement of 4.9 points.
Sport Instead of Viagra?
The active ingredient sildenafil used in Viagra has been shown in studies to improve the IEF-EF score by at least 4 points.8 This means that in most cases, the use of medication can be expected to reduce erectile dysfunction more than a therapy based purely on endurance sports.
Nevertheless, the researchers emphasize in their study that regular cardio training could be an effective alternative to drug treatment, especially for men with severe ED (low IEF-EF score). Those affected who cannot or do not want to take medication could also counteract their erectile dysfunction with endurance sports.
According to the study Certain eating habits can lead to erectile dysfunction
Cross-Sectional Analysis A Common Condition Can Double the Risk of Erectile Dysfunction
Study Shows How the Combination of Intermittent Fasting and Training Affects Body Fat and Muscle Mass
Possible Side Effects of Viagra
Like all medications, Viagra can also be associated with side effects. For example, the manufacturer of Viagra, Pfizer, states in an official letter that the following side effects were the most common when taking Viagra (active ingredient sildenafil) in clinical studies:9
- Headaches
- Flushing (sudden flushing of the face and neck)
- Dyspepsia (chronic discomfort in the upper abdomen)
- Stuffy nose
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Hot flashes
- Visual disturbances, including blurred vision and cyanopsia (color vision disorder)