Men’s Health

Refine Sexual Health Intervention Strategies

with Digital Vascular Biomarkers

Fast Fact

1 in 3

Men experience erectile dysfunction, the most common sexual dysfunction in men, and the prevalence increases with age.1

Impact of Arterial Stiffness on Sexual Wellbeing

  • Vlachopoulos C, Ioakeimidis N, Miner M, et al.

    Testosterone defiency is independently associated with aortic stiffness over a broad range of individuals without manifest cardiovascular/atherosclerotic disease.

    Vlachopoulos C, Ioakeimidis N, Miner M, et al.
    Atherosclerosis
  • Gerbild H, Larsen CM, Graugaard C, et al.

    The leading cause of erectile dysfunction is arterial dysfunction, with cardiovascular disease as the most common comorbidity.

    Gerbild H, Larsen CM, Graugaard C, et al.
    Sexual Medicine
  • Angoff R, Mosarla RC, Tsao CW.

    Men with acquired hypogonadism have higher pulse wave velocity (PWV) compared to normal men, and treatment with testosterone therapy helps to lower PWV, supporting a possible role for testosterone in lowering arterial stiffness

    Angoff R, Mosarla RC, Tsao CW.
    Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine

Arterial Stiffness and Men's Health

As arteries lose their elasticity due to aging and cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension and diabetes, they become less responsive to changes in blood pressure, hindering the ability to achieve and sustain arousal and erections in men. Conditions like atherosclerosis can exacerbate this effect by narrowing or blocking arteries. Conversely, sexual activity can positively affect vascular health, creating a complex interplay between arterial stiffness and sexual function.

Research Highlights

Vascular Insights for Sexual Wellness

Vascular biomarkers offer valuable insights into cardiovascular health that directly impacts sexual function. These biomarkers serve as indicators of endothelial health and arterial compliance, crucial factors in maintaining adequate blood flow for sexual arousal and function. Incorporating vascular biomarkers into clinical assessments offers a proactive approach to addressing vascular-related sexual health concerns and optimizing sexual function.

Utility of Vascular Biomarkers in Sexual Health

  • Corrigan FE 3rd, Al Mheid I, Eapen DJ, et al.

    In men with few co-morbidities, lower serum testosterone level is associated with microvascular dysfunction and increased pulse wave reflections, mechanisms by which lower testosterone levels may confer increased cardiovascular risk.

    Corrigan FE 3rd, Al Mheid I, Eapen DJ, et al.
    International Journal of Cardiology
  • Corrigan FE 3rd, Al Mheid I, Eapen DJ, et al.

    Testosterone is negatively correlated with [augmentation index], indicating increasing pulse wave reflections with lower testosterone levels

    Corrigan FE 3rd, Al Mheid I, Eapen DJ, et al.
    International Journal of Cardiology
  • Kakkavas A, Tsioufis C, Tsiachris D, et al.

    Older patients with ED compared with their younger counterparts without ED, demonstrated increased [pulse pressure], higher prevalence of nondipping, and more impaired diastolic function.

    Kakkavas A, Tsioufis C, Tsiachris D, et al.
    Journal of Clinical Hypertension

Incorporate Vascular Biomarkers in the Management of Men's Health

Download Reimbursement Guide

In-Clinic

  • Assess cardiovascular risk factors that may impact sexual function, such as reduced blood flow due to arterial stiffness or endothelial dysfunction.
  • Develop personalized interventions to address identified vascular issues and optimize sexual health.
  • Reimbursable with CPT 93050.

At Home

  • Empower patients to actively manage their health by tracking changes in their biomarkers.
  • Integration with telemedicine to maintains an ongoing patient-provider interaction and enhances personalized care.
  • Reimbursable with CPT 9945x & 99091.
1 Gerbild H, Larsen CM, Graugaard C, Areskoug Josefsson K. Physical Activity to Improve Erectile Function: A Systematic Review of Intervention Studies. Sex Med. 2018;6(2):75-89. doi:10.1016/j.esxm.2018.02.001