According to a new study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Johns Hopkins Hospital, erectile dysfunction was significantly and independently associated with age, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and lack of physical activity.

While oral medications are already available to treat erectile dysfunction in mean, lifestyle changes like increase of physical activity, stricter dietary control and other measures for the prevention of cardiovascular disease and diabetes will decrease men's risk of the condition.

According to investigator Elizabeth Selvin, PhD, MPH:

"The association between erectile dysfunction and lack of physical activity suggests that lifestyle changes, especially increasing exercise level, may be effective nonpharmacological treatments.

The associations between erectile dysfunction and diabetes and other known cardiovascular risk factors should serve as powerful Motivators for male patients for whom diet and lifestyle changes are needed to improve their cardiovascular risk profile.

These data suggest physical activity and other measures for the prevention of cardiovascular disease and diabetes may prevent decrease in erectile function."

Study results have been published in the February 2007 issue of The American Journal of Medicine.

Read the full report.