Healthy Lifestyle Protects Emotions

Clean living is key to men remaining virile after the age of 45, according to new research which shows sex, drugs and rock'n'roll is an oxymoron.

The new research in the Medical Journal of Australia shows older men who are fit and healthy are at least risk of erectile dysfunction.

Researchers say the likelihood of erectile dysfunction increases by 11.3 per cent every year once men hit the age of 45, but smoking, heavy drinking, sedentary lifestyle and conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and depression dramatically increase the risk.

Researcher Associate Professor David Smith from Cancer Council NSW says about 80 per cent of men aged 75 and older have moderate or complete erectile dysfunction.

He says current heavy smokers are 86 per cent more likely to have erectile problems than other men and being obese doubles the risk.