Mature men have a common disease? Beware of erectile dysfunction and prostate enlargement

Erectile dysfunction and prostate hypertrophy are comorbidities for many middle-aged and older men. According to a survey conducted by the Taiwan Male Medical Association, one in five Taiwanese men over the age of 40 suffer from co-morbidities. Doctors remind that only by mastering the three principles of "understanding co-morbidities, self-assessment, and positive action" can one stay away from male co-morbidities.

According to a survey conducted by the Taiwan Male Medical Association, many men develop thick waists and fat bodies after entering middle age. Although they seem to be blessed with obesity, they actually pose health risks. The most difficult to talk about are lack of sexual desire in bed, frequent urination at night, and dripping urine. These not only signal a warning sign for the body, but also cast a shadow on the intimate relationship between the sexes.

Mature men should pay attention to risk factors

Professor Huang Zhixian, chairman of the Taiwan Andrology Association and director of the Male Reproductive Department of the Urology Department of Taipei Veterans General Hospital, pointed out that there are many risk factors for erectile dysfunction and prostate hypertrophy, including: aging, smoking and drinking, depression, sitting for long periods of time, prostate disease, cardiovascular disease, and three high diseases such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes.

How closely are the two major hidden male diseases related? Studies have found that nearly half of men over 40 with erectile dysfunction suffer from prostate hypertrophy, and the comorbidity rate increases with age. By the age of 65 to 75, more than 65% of men suffer from prostate hypertrophy. As for patients with lower urinary tract disorders such as prostate hypertrophy, erectile dysfunction is also quite common.

The study found that among men aged 50 to 60 who frequently urinate at night, nearly 60% have poor performance in bed, are unable to maintain an erection, and are half-hard. As many as 72% of patients with erectile dysfunction have concurrent prostate hypertrophy, and 62% of patients with prostate hypertrophy and lower urinary tract symptoms also suffer from erectile dysfunction.

Four high-risk groups of middle-aged men

It is worth noting that among men over 40, 1 in 5 suffers from comorbidities. According to preliminary estimates, there are as many as 1.13 million mature men in Taiwan who suffer from "urinary problems and sexual frustration." Among them, "senior mature men, obese mature men, mature men with three highs, and depressed mature men" are the four high-risk groups for co-morbidities among mature men.

Liao Junhou, secretary general of the Taiwan Andrology Association and director of the Urology Department of Genshin Hospital, pointed out that according to statistics, about 60% of men in the country are overweight, and foreign studies have also shown that men who are assessed as overweight and obese through body mass index (BMI) have a comorbidity rate that is 2.5 times that of ordinary men. The probability of erectile dysfunction in mature men with "three highs" is 1.6 to 4 times higher. Among them, the risk of comorbidity in diabetic patients is as high as 4 times, that in hypertensive patients is 1.6 times, and that in depressed mature men is 1.8 times higher. Among these men, up to 70% may also suffer from prostate enlargement and lower urinary tract symptoms7, which seriously undermines their self-confidence.

Self-assessment and proactively facing difficulties

Doctors remind that erectile dysfunction and prostate hypertrophy have a common pathogenic mechanism, including aging, obesity, as well as high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, diabetes and other problems, which can cause pelvic artery atherosclerosis, autonomic hyperactivity, nitric oxide deficiency and other conditions. In the long run, it is easy to cause prostate hypertrophy accompanied by lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction.

The Taiwan Association of Andrology recommends that mature men should conduct regular self-assessments and understand their own conditions through the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). As long as they face their troubles positively, speak up bravely, and seek treatment, after eliminating their worries, experienced and fat mature men can relive their love stories and compose harmonious sexual life with their significant other again.