Restless Leg Syndrome and Erectile Dysfunction Link
Author: American Academy of Sleep Medicine
Published: 2010/01/01 - Updated: 2026/01/19
Publication Details: Peer-Reviewed, Research, Study, Analysis
Category Topic: Erectile Dysfunction - Related Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This research represents peer-reviewed findings published in the medical journal Sleep, examining data from 23,119 male health professionals aged 56 to 91 years. The study provides valuable evidence for both patients and healthcare providers by establishing a measurable correlation between restless leg syndrome frequency and erectile dysfunction risk - men experiencing RLS symptoms 15 or more times monthly showed a 78 percent increased likelihood of erectile dysfunction. What makes this information particularly useful for older adults and men with disabilities is its identification of potential shared dopamine-related mechanisms between these conditions, which could guide more effective treatment approaches. The research methodology, which excluded participants with diabetes and arthritis to ensure accurate RLS classification, strengthens the reliability of these findings for clinical application - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
A study in the Jan. 1 issue of the journal Sleep shows that erectile dysfunction was more common in older men with restless leg syndrome (RLS) than in those without RLS, and the magnitude of this association increased with a higher frequency of RLS symptoms.
Main Content
Results show that erectile dysfunction was 16 percent more likely in men with restless leg syndrome symptoms that occur five to 14 times per month (odds ratio of 1.16) and 78 percent more likely in men whose RLS symptoms occur 15 or more times a month (OR=1.78). The associations were independent of age, body mass index, use of antidepressants, anxiety and other possible risk factors for RLS. Fifty-three percent of RLS patients and 40 percent of participants without RLS reported having erectile dysfunction, which was defined as a poor or very poor ability to have and maintain an erection sufficient for intercourse.
The results suggest it is likely that the two disorders share common mechanisms, said lead author Xiang Gao, MD, PhD, instructor at Harvard Medical School, associate epidemiologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital and research scientist at the Harvard School of public health in Boston, Mass.
"The mechanisms underlying the association between RLS and erectile dysfunction could be caused by hypo-functioning of dopamine in the central nervous system, which is associated with both conditions," said Gao.
Data were collected from 23,119 men who participated in the Health Professionals Follow-up study, a large ongoing U.S. cohort of male dentists, optometrists, osteopaths, podiatrists, pharmacists and veterinarians. Participants were between the ages of 56 and 91 years, with a mean age of 69 years. To reduce possible misclassification of RLS, participants with diabetes and arthritis were excluded.
Participants were questioned in 2002 about RLS diagnosis and severity based on the International RLS study group criteria. RLS was defined as having unpleasant leg sensations combined with restlessness and an urge to move; with symptoms appearing only at rest, improving with movement, worsening in the evening or at night compared with the morning, and occurring five or more times per month.
About four percent of participants had RLS (944 of 23,119 men), and about 41 percent (9,433 men) had erectile dysfunction. Men with RLS were older and were more likely to be Caucasian. The prevalence of erectile dysfunction also increased with age.
The authors noted that the association between RLS and erectile dysfunction also could be related in part to other sleep disorders that co-occur with RLS. For example, obstructive sleep apnea and sleep deprivation may decrease circulating testosterone levels.
They also pointed out that the cross-sectional design of the study did not allow for a determination of causality. Further epidemiological studies are needed to clarify the relationship between the RLS and erectile dysfunction and to explore the biological mechanisms underlying the association.
References
Sleep is the official journal of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC (APSS), a joint venture of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society. The APSS publishes original findings in areas pertaining to sleep and circadian rhythms. Sleep , a peer-reviewed scientific and medical journal, publishes 12 regular issues and 1 issue comprised of the abstracts presented at the SLEEP Meeting of the APSS.
AASM is a professional membership organization dedicated to the advancement of sleep medicine and sleep-related research. As the national accrediting body for sleep disorders centers and laboratories for sleep related breathing disorders, the AASM promotes the highest standards of patient care. The organization serves its members and advances the field of sleep health care by setting the clinical standards for the field of sleep medicine, advocating for recognition, diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders, educating professionals dedicated to providing optimal sleep health care and fostering the development and application of scientific knowledge.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: While this study opens an important door to understanding the connection between neurological sleep disorders and sexual health in aging men, it also highlights how conditions often treated in isolation may share deeper biological roots. The dopamine hypothesis suggested by researchers offers a promising avenue for dual-targeted therapies that could address both conditions simultaneously, potentially improving quality of life on multiple fronts. Yet the cross-sectional nature of this research leaves questions about causation unanswered - does RLS contribute to erectile dysfunction, or do both stem from a common underlying cause? As our population ages and men become more willing to discuss sexual health concerns openly, studies like this remind us that seemingly unrelated symptoms may be pieces of a larger physiological puzzle worth investigating further - Disabled World (DW).Attribution/Source(s): This peer reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by American Academy of Sleep Medicine and published on 2010/01/01, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.