Sexual health issue ‘linked to obesity’

A man’s sexual health is at risk if he is obese, according to a new study which links erectile dysfunction (ED) with being overweight.

An article in the latest edition of Obesity and Weight Management points to ED as a result of the “complicated interplay” between a man’s weight and other health issues.

The research, carried out by the University of Colorado and the University of Pennsylvania, studied a mildly obese 48-year-old man, who could not achieve an adequate erection for intercourse even with the help of ED medication.

Once he lost 4.6 per cent of his bodyweight and used blood pressure medication he was able to achieve an erection.

The editor-in-chief of Obesity and Weight Management, James O Hill, said: “If you are looking for another reason to lose weight, research now suggests that ED can improve with weight loss.”

According to the National Health Service, ED can be caused by a variety of things from an underlying health problem to a head injury.