WALKING is nearly as good as Viagra for treating erectile dysfunction, a study suggests.
Regular exercise gave men a boost in bed similar to taking drugs like the blue pill or Cialis, US researchers found.
Dr Mohit Khera, of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, said this was particularly the case for men with severe cases of ED.
He said: “Exercise may serve as a valuable strategy for managing ED, particularly for men who prefer or cannot tolerate medications.
“Health care providers should consider recommending regular aerobic exercise as a low-risk nonpharmacologic therapy for men experiencing erectile difficulties.”
Around 16.5million men in Britain are affected by erectile dysfunction, with half of those aged 40 to 70 blighted by it.
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The NHS last year spent £18.3million on prescriptions for meds — including Viagra and Cialis — to treat it.
Obesity is a key risk factor for the condition, with four out of five men with ED classified as overweight.
Previous research has shown one third of men who went on an exercise and diet programme for two years achieving better erections afterwards.
The latest study, published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, reviewed 11 controlled trials involving around 1,100 men.
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Of those, around 600 were put on programs of exercise — including walking — that involved 30- to 60-minute sessions, three to five times a week.
The other 500 were not put on the programs.
Their erections were measured on a standard scale of six to 30, with men with severe ED seeing a five-point improvement on average.
Those with mild and moderate ED saw improvements of two and three points respectively.
For comparison, men on drugs like Viagra and Cialis usually see improvements of around four to eight points.
Independent experts said getting fit can increase levels of a hormone that is “closely tied to sex hormones”.
Dr Alexis Missick, a GP at UK Meds, said: “Regular exercise has been associated with increased levels of a hormone called DHEA.
“DHEA has vasodilator qualities, which means that it increases blood flow and expands blood vessels. This is something that Viagra is known for doing.”
She added: "Some people may find exercise preferable to using drugs to treat erectile dysfunction.
"This may be due to some of the associated side effects, such as headaches, nausea and indigestion.
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"Additionally, Viagra is not safe for patients with heart disease or a similar heart problem, as it can cause drops in blood pressure by widening arteries in the body.
"You should consult a medical professional and work out the best treatment option for you."
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