Dr Selva Lingam, who heads the Malaysian Urological Association also said that ED was a warning sign of heart diseases down the line.
“The trend is definitely increasing. We’re looking at those in their forties now, coming and reporting of erectile dysfunction,” Selva told FMT when met at the 27th Malaysian Urological Conference here.
He said five years ago, ED was more prevalent in men in their sixties or seventies.
He said one factor for the rising numbers of ED cases could be smoking, among other unhealthy lifestyles, which include bad eating habits, lack of exercise and unhealthy sexual practices.
Selva warned that early onset of ED could be a tell-tale sign for future cardiovascular diseases.
“If men in their forties come in for ED, there is evidence to show that you can potentially develop cardiovascular diseases in your fifties,” he said.
He cited data from a study done by Mayo Clinic, a US-based integrated medical research outfit, which showed that younger men who experience ED have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease 10 years down the line.
He said the causes of ED are similar to that of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks in men.
“We are talking about the blockage of the blood vessels,” he added.
But Selva admitted that the increase in the number of reported ED cases could also be due to more men being aware of the problem and deciding to seek treatment.
He said in the past, men were shy to talk about erectile dysfunction.
“Now they are more bold.
“Another reason could be because they now know that there are treatments available for ED, so they are more open to seeing the doctor.”
Selva also warned of the danger of alternative and traditional remedies for ED, such as “ubat kuat” sold online and advertised on a variety of media.
“We don’t encourage these by-products or traditional and alternative remedies because we don’t know what exactly they contain,” he said, adding that no studies were done to prove such medicines were effective and safe from long-term medical effects.