Men who have bleeding gums are TWICE as likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction

Men with severe gum disease have more than double the chance of suffering from the condition In people with gum disease, bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream, causing arteries to narrow Narrow arteries mean erectile dysfunction is more likely

By Emma Innes

PUBLISHED: 09:42 EST, 27 March 2013 | UPDATED: 09:43 EST, 27 March 2013

Severe gum disease could cause erectile dysfunction, experts are warning

Men who suffer from bleeding gums could be more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction, experts are warning.

A study has found that men with severe gum disease have more than double the chance of suffering from the condition.

The research, published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, explained that when people suffer from gum disease, bacteria from their mouth can enter their blood.

Once in the bloodstream, the bacteria can affect the blood vessels and arteries, causing them to harden and narrow - as they do with heart disease.

This effect upon the blood vessels increases the risk of erectile dysfunction.

Indeed, more and more research is showing that erectile dysfunction is an early warning sign of heart disease.

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Men who have bleeding gums are TWICE as likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction