The role of physical activity in the treatment of erectile dysfunction

Abstract

ObjectiveTo compare the effect of phosphodiesterase inhibitors and physical exercise alone in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). Materials and methodsA total of 60 patients with a satisfactory cardiopulmonary performance who consulted the outpatient clinics of Urology and Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation were included in the prospective study. In the study, 30 patients were scheduled for 6 weeks of vigorous aerobic exercise program to be carried out for 75min a day, 3 days a week. The remaining 30 patients received only an oral form of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. All patients completed International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and quality of life (SF-36) forms before and after the treatment. ResultsMedian age of the patients was 55.63±12.93 years with body mass index ranging between 18.99 and 35.86kg/m2. A statistically significant increase has been observed for IIEF-5 and SF-36 scores both in the physical exercise and medical treatment groups. However, in the medical treatment group post-treatment variation in IIEF-5 and SF-36 mental scores in the medical treatment group were statistically significantly higher when compared with the physical exercise group. Increase in physical SF-36 scores in the physical exercise group was more prominent without any statistically significant difference between groups. ConclusionEmerging evidence indicates that exercise has a positive effect for improving many factors in men with erectile dysfunction including changes in body composition, physical function, risk of comorbid conditions, depression, quality of life and an increase in pelvic oxygenation and penile blood flow, and thus before or during the treatment with a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, regular physical activity should be recommend for all ED patients.