(Photo: Sgt. Priscilla Sneden/Marine Corps)
A recent Military Medicine study found that U.S. veterans are at higher risk for several physical and mental health issues, including erectile dysfunction.
According to researchers, 14% of veterans reported symptoms of erectile dysfunction. The national average is 10%, according to the Boston University School of Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine.
The study, which surveyed 921 male veterans, found that those with erectile dysfunction were typically aged 60 or older, served in combat roles or during the Vietnam War, spent less than four years in the military, and are currently unemployed.
Five comorbid physical conditions were most common among those who have erectile dysfunction: high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, arthritis, and sleep disorder. As for mental health conditions, depression, probable PTSD, and generalized anxiety disorder were most common among sufferers of erectile dysfunction.
“The findings also align with research suggesting that both acute and chronic psychological stress may impact erectile function,” the study reads. “Similar to previous research, U.S. veterans with ED were significantly more likely to have been diagnosed with a number of comorbid medical conditions and severe mental disorders.”
Author: Military Times
Published with permission. MilitaryTimes.com is a part of the Sightline Media Group, formerly known as the Army Times Publishing Company, which first published Army Times in 1940. Throughout its history, the company has a strong heritage and tradition of meeting the highest standards of independent journalism and has expanded with publications serving all branches of the U.S. military, the global defense community, the U.S. federal government, and several special interest, defense-oriented industry sectors.
