Even with the use of ED medication (tadalafil, Cialis, Eli Lilly), he was not able to achieve an erection adequate for intercourse.

After dietary counselling, a 4.6 percent weight reduction, and medication to lower his BP to within the normal range, the patient was able to achieve adequate erections with the use of ED medication as needed, said an UC-D release.

The authors emphasise that 'the complicated interplay of weight and other health conditions relate to common medical symptoms, such as ED. We are reminded that atherosclerosis can cause not only macrovascular disease such as heart attack and stroke, but also microvascular disease, of which ED is one example'.

'If you are looking for another reason to lose weight, research now suggests that erectile dysfunction can be reduced with weight loss,' said James O. Hill, editor-in-chief of Obesity and Weight Management which published the study.