A genetic predisposition for type 2 diabetes may be associated with erectile dysfunction, suggesting that diabetes can be a cause of erectile issues, according to findings published in the American Journal of Human Genetics.

“Erectile dysfunction affects at least one in five men over 60, yet up until now little has been known about its cause,” Anna Murray, PhD, associate professor in human genetics at the University of Exeter Medical School in England, said in a press release. “Our paper echoes recent findings that the cause can be genetic, and it goes further. We found that a genetic predisposition to type 2 diabetes is linked to erectile dysfunction. That may mean that if people can reduce their risk of diabetes through healthier lifestyles, they may also avoid developing erectile dysfunction.”