ArticleThe Gerontologist2023
Erectile Function, Sexual Satisfaction, and Cognitive Decline in Men From Midlife to Older Adulthood.
Article in The Gerontologist, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Cognition of the association between sexual dysfunction and fertility.Sexual medicine · 2025Article
- Cancers and erectile dysfunction: a Mendelian randomization study.Frontiers in endocrinology · 2024Article
- Molecular Regulation of Concomitant Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Erectile Dysfunction in Pelvic Ischemia.International journal of molecular sciences · 2022Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
9 authors.
Funding
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND
objectivesVascular theories of cognitive aging have focused on macrovascular changes and cognitive decline. However, according to the artery-size hypothesis, microvascular changes, such as those that underlie changes in erectile function, may also play an important role in contributing to cognitive decline. Thus, we examined associations between erectile function, sexual satisfaction, and cognition starting in middle age because this represents a transition period where declines in these areas emerge. RESEARCH DESIGN AND
methodsWe examined 818 men from the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging across three waves at mean ages 56, 61, and 68. Erectile function and sexual satisfaction were measured using the International Index of Erectile Function. Cognitive performance was measured using factor scores for episodic memory, executive function, and processing speed. We tested multilevel models hierarchically, adjusting for demographics, frequency of sexual activity, and physical and mental health confounders to examine how changes in erectile function and sexual satisfaction related to changes in cognitive performance.
resultsLower erectile function at baseline was related to poorer performance in all cognitive domains at baseline and faster declines in processing speed over time. However, baseline sexual satisfaction was unrelated to cognitive performance. Decreases in erectile function and sexual satisfaction were both associated with memory decline. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Decreasing sexual health may signal an increased risk for cognitive decline. We discuss potential mechanisms, including microvascular changes and psychological distress. Discussing and tracking sexual health in middle-aged men may help to identify those likely to face memory decline.
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