Periodontal Health Linked to Erectile Dysfunction

Periodontal Health Linked to Erectile Dysfunction

A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine suggests that periodontal diseases may be associated with erectile dysfunction (ED). The researchers from Inonu University in Malatya, Turkey, found that men in their 30s who were diagnosed with severe periodontal disease were three times more likely to experience ED than those without periodontal disease.

The study included 80 men with ED and a control group of 82 men without ED. The International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire was used to evaluate sexual function. Both groups received periodontal examinations in which plaque index, bleeding on probing, and clinical attachment levels were assessed. Among the 80 subjects with ED, 42 patients had severe chronic periodontitis compared to 19 in the control group. Plaque index and bleeding on probing levels, as well as the number of pockets deeper than 4 mm, were all higher among the men with ED. The researchers concluded that chronic periodontitis is strongly associated with ED.

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) states that further research is needed before ED can be conclusively associated with periodontal diseases. “Research has indicated that periodontal disease may be associated with vascular disease, which is a common cause of ED. However, the association is thought to be related to inflammation; there is no direct evidence that one disease causes the other,” states AAP President Nancy L. Newhouse, DDS, MS. “Therefore, periodontal disease may be associated with or considered a risk factor for ED, but does not necessarily cause it.”

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that of the 64 million Americans who have periodontal disease, 56% are men. Newhouse suggests that men—who are typically less likely than women to seek professional dental care—should take an active role in maintaining their oral health.