Better-smelling breath may not be the only way that treating gum disease benefits your sex life, new research says improving the gums may also improve erectile dysfunction.
Previous studies have linked erectile dysfunction (ED) with periodontitis (inflammation of the gums), and now, a new study of patients in Turkey shows that treating periodontitis in affected patients appears to lessen the symptoms of erectile dysfunction after three months.
"To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess a potential link between the severity of ED and the treatment of periodontal disease," wrote the authors, who are affiliated with Inonu University in Malatya, Turkey. "The results revealed that the severity of ED improved following periodontal treatment."
The study involved 120 patients with severe or moderate erectile dysfunction and chronic periodontitis. Half received treatment for their gum disease, while half did not. They filled out questionnaires about their erectile function, and patients who received treatment for their gum disease reported that levels of erectile function improved after three months.
The Turkish research group is not the first to link the two conditions. Past studies in India, Israel and Taiwan have linked periodontal disease with erectile dysfunction; some authors have speculated that gum disease and erection problems share a common cause, while others have suggested that gum disease can cause erectile problems.
The new findings add weight to the idea that gum disease may cause erectile problems.
But the issue is difficult to study, and there has been no strong explanation for why gum disease could have such low-reaching effects.
"Yes, I feel that an association does exist," said Dr. Andrew Kramer, an associate professor of urology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. However, "there is nothing causal between the two," he said.
There doesn't appear to be an explanation for how tooth and gum diseases could affect nerves or blood flow to the male genitalia, Kramer said. However, there are many common denominators that may be behind the apparent link.
"I feel that the causal element is probably vascular disease, poor general health status, lack of medical attention (gum disease), underlying diabetes/hypertension, or all of the above," he said. "They are related and correlated, but due to an underlying common factor."
Read more:
Treating Gum Disease May Treat Erectile Dysfunction
- Circumcision Linked To Erectile Dysfunction - Video [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2012]
- What Causes Erectile Dysfunction | Erectile Dysfunction Cure - Video [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2012]
- Understanding Erectile Dysfunction - Video [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2012]
- Erectile Dysfunction Exercises - Video [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2012]
- The Daily Brief - Erectile Dysfunction, Yanked Levi's Campaign - 8.11.11 - Video [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2012]
- A Crazy Sexy Diet, Cure for Erectile Dysfunction, Healthy Soda, [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2012]
- Erectile Dysfunction Medical Animation - Video [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2012]
- Erectile Dysfunction Drugs Online - Video [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2012]
- In the Bedroom with Dr. Laura Berman - Erectile Dysfunction - Oprah Winfrey Network - Video [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2012]
- In the Bedroom with Dr. Laura Berman - Sex, Stress and Erectile Function - Oprah Winfrey Network - Video [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2012]
- Embarrassing Bodies - Erectile dysfunction - Video [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2012]
- Embarrassing Bodies - Erectile Dysfunction and dangerous counterfeit drugs - Video [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2012]
- Acupressure Techniques : Acupressure Points and Erectile Dysfunction - Video [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2012]
- Project: Rant - RANT 107: Erectile Dysfunction Spokeswoman - Video [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2012]
- Acupuncture Treatments : Acupuncture for Erectile Dysfunction - Video [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2012]
- Erectile Dysfunction Cures - Video [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2012]
- Penile Prosthesis Surgery for Erectile Dysfunction - Video [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2012]
- Erectile Dysfunction - Cause [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2012]
- New drug approved for erectile dysfunction [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2012]
- FDA approves new erectile dysfunction pill Stendra [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2012]
- FDA approves new drug for erectile dysfunction [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2012]
- Vivus Announces FDA Approval Of STENDRA™ (avanafil) Tablets For The Treatment Of Erectile Dysfunction [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2012]
- FDA Approves New Erectile Dysfunction Drug Stendra [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2012]
- Erectile dysfunction drug Stendra approved by FDA [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2012]
- Eastday-U.S. FDA approves new drug for erectile dysfunction [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2012]
- Stendra Approved for Erectile Dysfunction [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2012]
- Watch Out, Viagra: FDA Approves a Fast-Acting Erectile Dysfunction Drug [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2012]
- Erectile dysfunction drug may benefit cardiac function in young patients with heart defects [Last Updated On: May 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 9th, 2012]
- Your Cash Funds Erectile Dysfunction Studies [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2012]
- Want to avoid erectile dysfunction following prostate cancer surgery? Find an experienced, gentle surgeon [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2012]
- Men who take erection pills recreationally feel down [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2012]
- Millions in Stimulus Funds Used for Erectile Dysfunction Study [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2012]
- To remove prostate find experienced surgeon [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2012]
- Judge Sours On POM Wonderful's Erectile Dysfunction And Heart Disease Claims [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2012]
- Delhi - [ Min 26.3 °C [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2012]
- Mesa police: Erectile dysfunction argument leads to man's arrest [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2012]
- University Hospitals program treating women's sexual dysfunction [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2012]
- Vitamin D and Erectile Dysfunction [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2012]
- Does Crestor sap a man's sex drive? [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2012]
- Sexual Dysfunction in Men Improved With Saw Palmetto [Last Updated On: June 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 11th, 2012]
- Stanford Expert Explains What Erectile Dysfunction Really Means [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2012]
- Erection problems [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2012]
- CPAP found to improve sexual function, satisfaction in men with sleep apnea [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2012]
- Apricus Biosciences Submits Response to Swissmedic for Its Vitaros(R) Market Application for Erectile Dysfunction [Last Updated On: June 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 15th, 2012]
- Testosterone Therapy: A Misguided Approach to Erectile Dysfunction (ED) [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2012]
- How one man cured his erectile dysfunction by drinking wife's breast milk [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2012]
- Low-Intensity Shockwave Therapy by Medispec Ensures Long-Lasting Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2012]
- Heart of the matter [Last Updated On: July 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 3rd, 2012]
- Women and impotence [Last Updated On: July 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 9th, 2012]
- Coping with problems in the bedroom [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2012]
- Breastfeeding Man: Drinking Wife's Breast Milk Helps His Erectile Dysfunction [VIDEO] [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2012]
- 'Strange Sex': Man Battles Erectile Dysfunction By Breastfeeding (VIDEO) [Last Updated On: July 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 16th, 2012]
- Prison for seller of fake erectile dysfunction drugs [Last Updated On: July 18th, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 18th, 2012]
- Man gets 1 year for selling fake erectile dysfunction pills [Last Updated On: July 18th, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 18th, 2012]
- Hard truth: Fake erectile dysfunction drugs can kill, experts warn [Last Updated On: July 18th, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 18th, 2012]
- Fake drugs for erectile dysfunction may bring, not a 'Grade 4' score, but death - experts [Last Updated On: July 18th, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 18th, 2012]
- Surgery for early-stage prostate cancer 'not saving lives' [Last Updated On: July 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 20th, 2012]
- Doubt over the worth of prostate surgery [Last Updated On: July 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 20th, 2012]
- Can Recreational ED Drug Use Lead to ED? [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2012]
- Erectile dysfunction a red flag for heart [Last Updated On: July 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 29th, 2012]
- Researchers identify link between kidney removal and erectile dysfunction [Last Updated On: July 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 30th, 2012]
- Removing kidney increases risk of erectile dysfunction [Last Updated On: July 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 31st, 2012]
- Kidney Removal Increases Risk Of Erectile Dysfunction [Last Updated On: August 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: August 2nd, 2012]
- Kidney removal, erectile dysfunction link [Last Updated On: August 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: August 2nd, 2012]
- donga.com[English donga] [Last Updated On: August 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: August 10th, 2012]
- Propecia Use Linked To Depression And Sexual Dysfunction [Last Updated On: August 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: August 10th, 2012]
- Erectile Doctor Launches First Online Portal Dedicated To Treating Erectile Dysfunction [Last Updated On: August 24th, 2012] [Originally Added On: August 24th, 2012]
- Deadly spider venom could treat ED, study says [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2012]
- Spider venom could cure erectile dysfunction [Last Updated On: August 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: August 30th, 2012]
- Cardiovascular Risk Evaluation for All Men Should Include Assessment of Sexual Function [Last Updated On: August 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: August 30th, 2012]
- Thai version of 'Viagra' to be launched next month [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2012]
- Research and Markets: Global Erectile Dysfunction Drug Pipeline Capsule - 2012 [Last Updated On: September 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 12th, 2012]
- CHMP Recommends Approval of Cialis for the Treatment of Signs and Symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2012]
- » Archive for the ‘ Health ’ Category [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2012]
- Author Category [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2012]
- CHMP in Favor of Lilly's Cialis [Last Updated On: September 26th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2012]
- Researchers Identify Risk Markers for Erectile Dysfunction Following Radiation Treatment in Prostate Cancer [Last Updated On: September 27th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 27th, 2012]
- Researchers find risk markers for erectile dysfunction following radiation in prostate cancer [Last Updated On: September 27th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 27th, 2012]
- Predicting erectile dysfunction from prostate cancer treatment [Last Updated On: September 27th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 27th, 2012]
- Research and Markets: Global Erectile Dysfunction Drug Pipeline Capsule - 2012 Update [Last Updated On: September 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 28th, 2012]