MAJOR CAUSES OF ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

The biggest physical reason for erectile dysfunction (ED) is the lack of blood flow to the penis but there can be relationship problems that can also cause ED. As stated, when there is not enough blood flowing to the genital regions it can result in ED.

The biggest, but not all of the underlying physical causes for ED are being overweight or obese, having diabetes, having high blood pressure, having heart disease and smoking. Another cause for ED can be excessive alcohol consumption. If a man does not eat the proper foods that the body needs and if he doesn’t exercise he can begin to experience “hardening of the arteries” or in medical language this condition is called atherosclerosis. This condition results in the build up of fatty deposits inside of the arteries which is then called plaque. When the plaque sticks to the arterial walls, the arteries become stiff or hardened making it difficult for blood to flow normally. And some of these hardened pieces of plaque may dislodge and create blockage somewhere else in the body such as in the coronary arteries or in the arteries in the brain. When this happens, a person can have a heart attack or a stroke depending on which arteries are blocked. This is not a good situation and can be prevented with healthy lifestyle behaviors. So you see having ED can be a warning sign that something else even more sinister might be going on in the body. Did you know that men with ED are at a greater risk for heart disease?

If that doesn’t get your attention, this might. It is now known that men who are in their 30’s and experiencing erectile dysfunction are at a greater risk for heart disease. ED in younger men in their 30’s could be a result of genetics but please note that genetics is only responsible for about 5% of disease and how genes express themselves can be altered by what one eats and the lifestyle behaviors they engage in. Other factors that increase the chance for heart disease are high cholesterol levels, high triglyceride levels, high blood sugar levels, elevated blood pressure, lack of exercise and being overweight or obese. Once again all of these conditions can be altered by eating a healthy diet consisting of whole plant-based foods and by routine, effective exercise.

Diabetes greatly increases the chance for ED in both younger and older men. Type I diabetes can be improved and type II diabetes can be reversed. Having too much sugar in the diet and then in the blood stream can have a damaging effect on the arteries and the nerves in the body. All of this can lead to hardening of the arteries, which you now know will decrease blood flow to any area in the body but most certainly blood flow to the penis.

If a person smokes, it can contribute to erectile dysfunction because the toxic substances found in cigarettes today can lead to hardening of the arteries. Because the arteries can become hardened, the blood can’t flow as it should and the heart has to work harder to pump the blood through the hardened arteries. What happens is blood flow to the penis is compromised.

If a man is overweight, as determined by having a body mass index between 25 and 30 or, if he has a body mass index over 30, which is considered obese there is greater chance for erectile dysfunction. The reason is that when there is more body fat it accumulates around organs and around the heart. With fat around the heart it can’t pump as well as it should so blood cannot go to where it needs to go and this includes the blood that needs to go to the penis to have a good erection.

What about alcohol? When a person drinks alcohol it depresses the central nervous system. When the central nervous system is depressed the neurons in the brain don’t work as they normally do so the message to send blood to the penis is delayed or even compromised which can result in erectile dysfunction while under the influence of alcohol. Men who drink excessively are at a greater risk for developing ongoing erectile dysfunction. Not only will their physical condition be affected but the alcohol can affect there desire to have sex. This desire to have sex is known as libido and it is not uncommon for a man to have little or no desire for sex if he drinks alcohol in excess.

If someone is taking narcotic drugs (legal or illegal) those drugs will also depress the central nervous system and they may additionally affect hormone levels in the body. Narcotics can stay in the body up for up to 48 hours and can have a similar but a more long-lasting effect on erectile function. The effects of narcotics are just like the effects that alcohol has on erectile function.

Another reason today we are seeing more erectile dysfunction in younger men in their 30’s has to do with relationship problems. Today, young women are more knowledgeable about sex and they know what they want. A good number of young women are well educated about sex and they are expecting their partner to “perform” and meet their expectations. This mindset can put undo pressure on any man. A man might have a lot of anxiety about how he will perform. He may ask himself: What if I don’t please her? What if I ejaculate too early? What if she thinks my penis is too small? What if I can’t get an erection? What if she tells her friends about my performance? All of these questions can go through a man’s mind and if a man becomes too anxious he can experience erectile dysfunction. Having self confidence and believing in oneself and maybe getting a more loving and understanding partner might help diminish the incidence of “performance anxiety.

If there are physical or psychological reasons affecting erectile function it is wise to seek appropriate medical help to address and treat the problem. There are also natural supplements that can help erectile dysfunction.

K. Becker, M.A.-R.N.-C.

K. Becker, LLC

K. Becker is a clinician and a consultant in the field of preventive/regenerative anti-aging medicine and works with physicians and patients across the U.S.