At any one time, about one-third of the population may be
constipated. This is not something many people worry about. Although the
majority may prefer regularity, the only time people consult a doctor
is when the bowel movements become painful. This is usually a symptom
the bowel may be physically obstructed. Everyone else simply experiences
a slow down, usually as a result of changes in diet, hormones or the
side effects of medications. It’s particularly a problem among young
women and elderly men. However, ignoring purely mechanical problems,
constipation can affect men of all ages and sometimes runs alongside
Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms which are a range of general problems
associated with passing urine but without a clear cause. Up to now,
there has been no general study to determine whether there are any
statistically significant links between chronic constipation, LUTS and
erectile dysfunction.
This year sees the publication of
a community survey from Singapore involving 2270 participants. This
number of people involved is statistically significant but there are
number of factors that make Singapore slightly nonstandard in terms of
culture. Thus, although the findings are of interest, we really need
further studies to see whether these results are repeated in other
societies. For the record, about 37% of the population are permanent
residents or foreign workers who may come from any country. Of the
remaining citizens, 75% are of Chinese origin, 14% Malay, 9% Indian with
the balance being of mixed parentage. The different groups therefore
show a significant variance in their diets.
Putting
these problems to one side, the study actually identifies a significant
link between chronic constipation and erectile dysfunction. Thus, in
this predominantly Asian community, the onset of constipation is an
early symptom suggesting the likelihood of erectile dysfunction. There’s
no cause and effect suggested, but Levitra pills
are effective in solving the erection problems. Researchers will only
need to get more interested in proving whether there is any relationship
between the plumbing that drains the bladder and produces erections and
the slowing of the mechanical systems to evacuate the bowels if the
findings are replicated in other cultures.