Aerobic Exercise Helps Men With Erectile Dysfunction

A  meta-analysis explored whether regular aerobic exercise can improve erectile function in men. While aerobic activity is known to support general health, its specific effect on sexual performance has been less clear. This study, published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, reviewed 11 randomized controlled trials that used a standardized questionnaire, the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-EF), which rates erectile function on a scale from 6 to 30, with higher scores indicating better function.

Men who engaged in regular aerobic exercise showed an average improvement of 2.8 points in their IIEF-EF scores compared to those who did not exercise. The benefits were more pronounced in men with worse erectile function at the beginning of the studies. Those with mild erectile dysfunction improved by 2.3 points, those with moderate dysfunction improved by 3.3 points, and those with severe dysfunction improved by 4.9 points. These findings were statistically significant and consistent across different trials. The results were also stable regardless of potential publication bias or the impact of individual studies.

This research provides strong evidence that aerobic exercise can be a safe and effective non-drug option for improving erectile health, especially for men starting with lower function. Although the studies involved diverse populations, which may affect how the results apply to specific groups, the overall findings support regular aerobic activity as a meaningful way to enhance sexual well-being.