MALAYSIA - IF men above 40 have erectile problems, it is an early indication that they can develop chronic diseases including heart-related problems and diabetes.

This is the findings of a study conducted by the National Population and Family Development Board.

Board (director of reproduction) Dr Norliza Ahmad said the showed that almost 60% of men between the age of 40 and 70 in the Klang Valley suffered from erectile dysfunction (ED).

The study also suggested that a high percentage of them suffered illnesses like high blood pressure, heart-related problems and diabetes, which were possibly due to their lifestyle and inability to tell the truth about the state of sexual health.

"Men with sexual problems should get professionals to examine them to detect the early symptoms of major illnesses but many choose to keep silent about it without knowing that by telling the truth may save their lives," she said in her speech on behalf of Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil at the Third Sexual Health Conference titled "Special Attention to Men" Thursday.

Conference organising chairman and head of Mens Health Clinic at Universiti Sains Malaysia in Kota Baru, Kelantan Associate Prof Dr Shaiful Bahari Ismail there had been many cases of men who suffered from ED who died years later of diseases like diabetes or heart related problems.

Although not conclusive, it is still a fact that erectile dysfunction could cause problems to the heart.

There are also many recorded cases whereby patients with ED never knew that they had diabetes until they underwent tests and that is why more experiments were needed to prove that sexual health was important to the male population, he said.

The Daily Chilli/Asia News Network