Erectile dysfunction (ED) is not just a physical condition, but also has an emotional impact as it restricts sexual performance. In some cases, ED sets in with age and time while it can also be due to a health problem. Not all causes of ED can be reversible, but in some case you can treat it succesfully. Here are a few health problems which could lead to ED and how to deal with it.
1. Diabetes
This condition affects almost every other vital organ and doesn t spare a man s sexual prowess too. In fact, diabetes causes sexual dysfunction in both men and women. Talking about ED, diabetes affects the blood vessels and blood supply to different parts of the body, including the penis. Lack of blood supply makes it difficult for the organ to get or maintain an erection for too long. So, keeping your blood sugar level in check is essential in helping one reduce the risk of ED. In fact, studies indicate that diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor for ED [1]. However consuming beetroot and other such libido boosting foods can help prevent ED.
2. Obesity
Obesity can make your sexual life suffer. It is not only about the physical limitations you face due to the abdominal fat and the fatigue, but narrowing of blood vessels due to fat deposits puts you at the risk of cardiovascular diseases. This hampers blood circulation and affects the penile arteries, where blood supply (and circulation) is reduced drastically. In short, it restricts erection and can lead to ED. Studies suggest that most men who suffer from ED due to obesity can reverse the condition within two years of following corrective lifestyle changes and exercise [2]. Did you know of other things that can make you obese? Marriage is one of them!
Heart diseases and Ed are interrelated. If blood circulation is compromised because of a cardiovascular issue or if you have narrowed arteries and blood vessels due to fat or plaque deposits, it is definitely going to make your performance in bed suffer. Lack of proper blood supply in the penis is going to make ED inevitable. However, if you suffer from ED and not cardiovascular diseases, your chances of suffering from the same is also high. Studies suggest that if ED starts bothering you, you might also fall prey to cardiovascular disease within a span of two to three years [3].
4. Hypertension
Any condition that interferes with blood circulation makes you susceptible to ED and hypertension or high blood pressure is one of them. Because hypertension constricts the blood vessels and restricts smooth blood flow, especially to the penis. Conversely, suffering from ED can make one susceptible to hypertension. This shows that ED and hypertension are also closely related as both the conditions arise due to problems in the vascular system [4]. Apart from ED, hypertension also affects your brain.
5. High cholesterol
If we say, heart disease and erectile dysfunction are interrelated this itself means cholesterol problems do come under this spectrum too. High cholesterol deposits in the arteries which give rise to numerous cardiovascular conditions can also influence the onset of erectile dysfunction [5].
Parkinson s is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the motor movements and to some extent, even cognitive functions. This is also known as the old man s disease. Of course, if one has got this disease in advanced age and needs help only to manage the mere daily activities then ED is least of his concerns. But remember erectile dysfunction due to Parkinson s is a possibility. However, if one suffers from ED early in life, it can also act as a setting stage for Parkinson s disease in future [6]. Apart from age, depression could also be a risk factor for Parkinson s.
7. Peyronie s disease
Peyronie s disease is a benign condition that leads to curvature, deformity or shortening of an erect penis. Often ED is one of the conditions men with Peyronie s disease suffer from [7].
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system which affects the production of testosterone too. Low levels of testosterone can, in turn, affect a man s sexual health and lead to ED [8].
9. Depression
Well, while we blame the lack of proper blood circulation as a prime cause of ED, sometimes one s mental health can also lead to sexual dysfunctions. Studies suggest that depression and ED remain interrelated and also at times antidepressants can reverse the symptoms of ED to a great extent [9]. Some studies also suggest that introverts are more prone to depression than others.
10. Sleep disorders
Sleep apnoea is known to cause a host of health conditions in men and ED is just one of them. In fact, snoring in middle-aged men is more related to developing ED sooner or later [10].
Reference
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[2] 1: Esposito K, Giugliano D. Obesity, the metabolic syndrome, and sexual dysfunction. Int J Impot Res. 2005 Sep-Oct;17(5):391-8. Review. PubMed PMID:15902279.
[3] 1: Katsiki N, Wierzbicki AS, Mikhailidis DP. Erectile dysfunction and coronary heart disease. Curr Opin Cardiol. 2015 Jul;30(4):416-21. doi: 10.1097/HCO.0000000000000174. Review. PubMed PMID: 26049392.
[4]1: Nunes KP, Labazi H, Webb RC. New insights into hypertension-associated erectile dysfunction. Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens. 2012 Mar;21(2):163-70. doi:10.1097/MNH.0b013e32835021bd. PubMed PMID: 22240443; PubMed Central PMCID:PMC4004343.
[5]1: Roumegu re T, Wespes E, Carpentier Y, Hoffmann P, Schulman CC. Erectile dysfunction is associated with a high prevalence of hyperlipidemia and coronary heart disease risk. Eur Urol. 2003 Sep;44(3):355-9. PubMed PMID: 12932936.
[6] Gao, X., Chen, H., Schwarzschild, M. A., Glasser, D. B., Logroscino, G., Rimm, E. B., & Ascherio, A. (2007). Erectile function and risk of Parkinson's disease. American journal of epidemiology, 166(12), 1446-1450.
[7] Jalkut, M., Gonzalez-Cadavid, N., & Rajfer, J. (2003). Peyronie's disease: a review. Reviews in urology, 5, 142-148.
[8] Luo, H., & Jiang, R. (2009). [Multiple sclerosis and erectile dysfunction].Zhonghua nan ke xue= National journal of andrology, 15(1), 56-59.
[9] 1: Makhlouf A, Kparker A, Niederberger CS. Depression and erectile dysfunction.Urol Clin North Am. 2007 Nov;34(4):565-74, vii. Review. PubMed PMID: 17983896.
[10]1: Heruti R, Shochat T, Tekes-Manova D, Ashkenazi I, Justo D. Association between erectile dysfunction and sleep disorders measured by self-assessment questionnaires in adult men. J Sex Med. 2005 Jul;2(4):543-50. PubMed PMID:16422852.
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